TCI COMMUNICATIONS INC
S-3, 1996-11-27
CABLE & OTHER PAY TELEVISION SERVICES
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<PAGE>

 
   AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON NOVEMBER 27, 1996
                                                   (REGISTRATION NO. 333-     )
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
                                --------------
 
                                   FORM S-3
                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                          THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
 
                                --------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>                             <C>
         TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.                      DELAWARE                 84-0588868
     TCI COMMUNICATIONS FINANCING III                  DELAWARE                 84-6289177
      TCI COMMUNICATIONS FINANCING IV                  DELAWARE                 84-6289178
      TCI COMMUNICATIONS FINANCING V                   DELAWARE                APPLIED FOR
      TCI COMMUNICATIONS FINANCING VI                  DELAWARE                APPLIED FOR
         (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT          (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF  (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
       AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)          INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) IDENTIFICATION NO.)
</TABLE>
 
                                --------------
           TERRACE TOWER II                    STEPHEN M. BRETT, ESQ.
           5619 DTC PARKWAY                   TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
    ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO 80111-3000                TERRACE TOWER II
            (303) 267-5500                        5619 DTC PARKWAY
  (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND        ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO 80111-3000
     TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING                   (303) 267-5500
   AREA CODE, OF EACH REGISTRANT'S     (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND
     PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)            TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING
                                      AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE FOR EACH
                                                     REGISTRANT)
 
                                --------------
                                  COPIES TO:
                          ROBERT W. MURRAY JR., ESQ.
                             BAKER & BOTTS, L.L.P.
                             599 LEXINGTON AVENUE
                           NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022
 
                                --------------
  APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: From time
to time after the Registration Statement becomes effective.
  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 to be 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, please 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 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. [X]
 
                                --------------
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          PROPOSED       PROPOSED
                            AGGREGATE      MAXIMUM       MAXIMUM
 TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF      AMOUNT       OFFERING      AGGREGATE     AMOUNT OF
    SECURITIES TO BE          TO BE       PRICE PER      OFFERING    REGISTRATION
       REGISTERED         REGISTERED(1) UNIT(1)(2)(3) PRICE(1)(2)(3)    FEE(1)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>            <C>           <C>              <C>
Subordinated Debt
 Securities of TCI
 Communications,
 Inc. .................
TCI Communications
 Financing III Preferred
 Securities............
TCI Communications
 Financing IV Preferred
 Securities............
TCI Communications
 Financing V Preferred
 Securities............
TCI Communications                                                   
 Financing VI Preferred                                              
 Securities............   $500,000,000      100%       $500,000,000    $151,516
Guarantees of Preferred                                              
 Securities of TCI                                                   
 Communications                                                      
 Financing III, TCI                                                  
 Communications                                                      
 Financing IV, TCI                                                   
 Communications                                                      
 Financing V and TCI                                                 
 Communications                                                      
 Financing VI by TCI                                                 
 Communications,                                                     
 Inc.(4)...............                                              
</TABLE>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  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 THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID
SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
(Footnotes to table on previous page)
 
(1) Includes such indeterminate number of Preferred Securities of TCI
    Communications Financing III, TCI Communications Financing IV, TCI
    Communications Financing V and TCI Communications Financing VI and such
    indeterminate principal amount of Subordinated Debt Securities of TCI
    Communications, Inc. as may from time to time be issued at indeterminate
    prices. Subordinated Debt Securities may be issued and sold to TCI
    Communications Financing III, TCI Communications Financing IV, TCI
    Communications Financing V or TCI Communications Financing VI. Such
    Subordinated Debt Securities may later be distributed to the holders of
    Preferred Securities upon a termination of TCI Communications Financing
    III, TCI Communications Financing IV, TCI Communications Financing V or
    TCI Communications Financing VI and the distribution of the assets
    thereof.
(2) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee
    pursuant to Rule 457. The aggregate public offering price of the Preferred
    Securities of TCI Communications Financing III, TCI Communications
    Financing IV, TCI Communications Financing V and TCI Communications
    Financing VI and the Subordinated Debt Securities of TCI Communications,
    Inc. registered hereby will not exceed $500,000,000.
(3) Exclusive of accrued interest and distributions, if any.
(4) Includes the obligations of TCI Communications, Inc. under (i) the Amended
    Declaration of Trust of each of TCI Communications Financing III, TCI
    Communications Financing IV, TCI Communications Financing V and TCI
    Communications Financing VI, (ii) the Guarantees issued with respect to
    the Preferred Securities issued by such Trust, (iii) the Subordinated Debt
    Securities purchased by such Trust and the related Indenture, including
    the agreement of TCI Communications, Inc. (contained in each Amended
    Declaration of Trust and contained in the Supplemental Indenture) to pay
    all trust obligations other than the Preferred Securities and the Common
    Securities, all as described in the Base Prospectus and the Prospectus
    Supplement included in this Registration Statement. No separate
    consideration will be received for these obligations or for the
    Guarantees.
<PAGE>
 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A         +
+REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE   +
+SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY  +
+OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT        +
+BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR   +
+THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE      +
+SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE    +
+UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF  +
+ANY SUCH STATE.                                                               +
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
                 SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED NOVEMBER 27, 1996
 
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
- ---------------------
 
(TO PROSPECTUS DATED       , 1996)
 
                                PREFERRED SECURITIES
                        TCI COMMUNICATIONS FINANCING III
                           % TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES
                (LIQUIDATION AMOUNT $25 PER PREFERRED SECURITY)
                  GUARANTEED TO THE EXTENT SET FORTH HEREIN BY
                            TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
 
                                  -----------
 
  The    % trust preferred securities (the "Preferred Securities") offered
hereby evidence preferred undivided beneficial interests in the assets of TCI
Communications Financing III, a statutory business trust formed under the laws
of the State of Delaware (the "Trust"). TCI Communications, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), will directly or indirectly own all the common
securities (the "Common Securities" and, together with the Preferred
Securities, the
                                                        (continued on next page)
 
  SEE "RISK FACTORS" COMMENCING ON PAGE S-6 OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT FOR
CERTAIN INFORMATION RELEVANT TO AN INVESTMENT IN THE PREFERRED SECURITIES,
INCLUDING THE PERIOD AND CIRCUMSTANCES DURING AND UNDER WHICH PAYMENTS OF
DISTRIBUTIONS ON THE PREFERRED SECURITIES MAY BE DEFERRED AND THE RELATED
UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF SUCH DEFERRAL.
 
  An application will be filed to list the Preferred Securities on the New York
Stock Exchange, Inc. (the "New York Stock Exchange"). If such application is
approved, trading of the Preferred Securities on the New York Stock Exchange is
expected to commence within a 30-day period after the initial delivery of the
Preferred Securities. See "Underwriting."
 
                                  -----------
 
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.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    INITIAL PUBLIC    UNDERWRITING  PROCEEDS TO
                                  OFFERING PRICE (1) COMMISSION (2) TRUST (3)(4)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                               <C>                <C>            <C>
Per Preferred Security..........        $25.00            (3)          $25.00
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total...........................        $                 (3)          $
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Plus accrued distributions, if any, from     , 199 .
(2) The Company and the Trust have agreed to indemnify the several Underwriters
    against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act
    of 1933, as amended. See "Underwriting."
(3) In view of the fact that the proceeds of the sale of the Preferred
    Securities will be invested in Subordinated Debt Securities, the Company
    has agreed to pay to the Underwriters, as compensation for their arranging
    the investment therein of such proceeds, $.    per Preferred Security (or
    $    in the aggregate); provided, that such compensation for sales of
    or more Preferred Securities to a single purchaser will be $   per
    Preferred Security. Therefore, to the extent of such sales, the actual
    amount of Underwriters' compensation will be less than the aggregate amount
    specified in the preceding sentence. See "Underwriting."
(4) Expenses of the offering which are payable by the Company are estimated to
    be $    .
 
                                  -----------
 
  The Preferred Securities offered hereby are offered severally by the
Underwriters, as specified herein, subject to receipt and acceptance by them
and subject to their right to reject any order in whole or in part. It is
expected that delivery of the Preferred Securities will be made only in book-
entry form through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company on or about
    , 199 .
 
                                  -----------
 
LEHMAN BROTHERS                                           MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
 
                                  -----------
 
             The date of this Prospectus Supplement is     , 1996.
<PAGE>
 
(continued from previous page)
 
"Trust Securities") representing common undivided beneficial interests in the
assets of the Trust. The Trust exists for the exclusive purposes of issuing
and selling the Trust Securities and investing the proceeds thereof in an
equivalent principal amount of   % Subordinated Deferrable Interest Notes due
       , 20  (the "Subordinated Debt Securities") of the Company. The
Subordinated Debt Securities will be unsecured obligations of the Company and
will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to certain other
indebtedness of the Company, as described herein. Upon an event of default
under the Declaration (as defined herein), the holders of the Preferred
Securities will have a preference over the holder of the Common Securities
with respect to payments in respect of distributions and payments upon
liquidation, redemption and otherwise.
 
  Holders of the Preferred Securities are entitled to receive cumulative cash
distributions at an annual rate of   % of the liquidation amount of $25 per
Preferred Security, accruing from        , 199  and payable quarterly in
arrears on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year,
commencing        , 199  ("distributions"). The distribution rate and the
distribution and other payment dates for the Preferred Securities will
correspond to the interest rate and interest and other payment dates on the
Subordinated Debt Securities, which will be the sole assets of the Trust. As a
result, if principal or interest is not paid on the Subordinated Debt
Securities, no amounts will be paid on the Preferred Securities. The payment
of distributions out of moneys held by the Trust, and payments on liquidation
of the Trust or the redemption of Preferred Securities, as set forth below,
are guaranteed by the Company (the "Preferred Securities Guarantee") if and to
the extent the Trust has funds available therefor. The Company's obligations
under the Preferred Securities Guarantee, taken together with its other
obligations described herein, constitute a full and unconditional guarantee by
the Company of payments due on the Preferred Securities. See "Effect of
Obligations Under the Subordinated Debt Securities and the Preferred
Securities Guarantee" and "Description of the Preferred Securities Guarantee."
The obligations of the Company under the Preferred Securities Guarantee are
subordinate and junior in right of payment to all other liabilities of the
Company and will rank pari passu with the most senior preferred stock issued
by the Company from time to time and with any guarantee that may be entered
into by the Company in respect of any preferred stock of any subsidiary or
affiliate of the Company. If the Company does not make principal or interest
payments on the Subordinated Debt Securities, the Trust will not have
sufficient funds to redeem or make distributions on the Preferred Securities,
in which event the Preferred Securities Guarantee will not apply to such
redemptions or distributions until the Trust has sufficient funds available
therefor. The obligations of the Company under the Subordinated Debt
Securities are subordinate and junior in right of payment to all present and
future Senior Indebtedness (as defined herein) of the Company. The Senior
Indebtedness of the Company aggregated approximately $9,234 million at
September 30, 1996. In addition, because the Company is primarily a holding
company, its obligations under the Preferred Securities Guarantee and the
Subordinated Debt Securities will be effectively subordinated to all existing
and future liabilities of its subsidiaries. At September 30, 1996, the
subsidiaries of the Company had total debt (excluding debt owed to the
Company) of approximately $5,257 million.
 
  The Company has the right to defer payments of interest on the Subordinated
Debt Securities by extending the interest payment period on the Subordinated
Debt Securities, at any time, for up to 20 consecutive quarters (each an
"Extension Period"). If interest payments are so deferred, distributions on
the Preferred Securities will also be deferred. Despite such deferral, during
an Extension Period distributions will continue to accrue with interest
thereon (to the extent permitted by applicable law) at an annual rate of   %
per annum, compounded quarterly, and holders of Preferred Securities will be
required to include deferred interest income in their gross income for United
States federal income tax purposes in advance of receipt of the cash interest
payments attributable to such deferred income. There could be multiple
Extension Periods of varying lengths throughout the term of the Subordinated
Debt Securities. See "Description of the Subordinated Debt Securities--Option
to Extend Interest Payment Period," "Risk Factors--Option to Extend Interest
Payment Period" and "Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences--Original Issue
Discount, Premium and Market Discount." In the event of any such deferral, the
holders of the Preferred Securities do not have the right to appoint a special
representative or trustee or otherwise act to protect their interests.
 
                                      S-2
<PAGE>
 
  The Subordinated Debt Securities are redeemable by the Company (in whole or
in part) from time to time, on or after        , 200 , or at any time in
certain circumstances upon the occurrence of a Tax Event (as defined herein).
If the Company redeems Subordinated Debt Securities, the Trust must redeem
Trust Securities having an aggregate liquidation amount equal to the aggregate
principal amount of the Subordinated Debt Securities so redeemed at $25 per
Trust Security plus accrued and unpaid distributions thereon (the "Redemption
Price") to the date fixed for redemption. See "Description of the Preferred
Securities--Mandatory Redemption." The Preferred Securities will be redeemed
upon maturity of the Subordinated Debt Securities. The Subordinated Debt
Securities mature on        , 20 . In addition, upon the occurrence of a
Special Event (as defined herein) arising from a change in law or a change in
legal interpretation, unless the Subordinated Debt Securities are redeemed in
the limited circumstances described below, the Trust shall be terminated with
the result that the Subordinated Debt Securities will be distributed to the
holders of the Preferred Securities, on a pro rata basis, in lieu of any cash
distribution. In the case of the occurrence of a Special Event that is a Tax
Event, the Company will have the right in certain circumstances to redeem the
Subordinated Debt Securities, which would result in the redemption by the
Trust of the Trust Securities in the same amount on a pro rata basis. If the
Subordinated Debt Securities are distributed to the holders of the Preferred
Securities, the Company will use its best efforts to have the Subordinated
Debt Securities listed on the New York Stock Exchange or on such other
exchange as the Preferred Securities are then listed. See "Description of the
Preferred Securities--Special Event Redemption or Distribution" and
"Description of the Subordinated Debt Securities."
 
  In the event of the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or
termination of the Trust, the holders of the Preferred Securities will be
entitled to receive, for each Preferred Security, a liquidation amount of $25
plus accrued and unpaid distributions thereon (including interest, if any,
thereon) to the date of payment, unless in connection with such dissolution,
winding-up or termination the Subordinated Debt Securities are distributed to
the holders of the Preferred Securities. See "Description of the Preferred
Securities--Liquidation Distribution Upon Termination."
 
  The Company is a subsidiary of Tele-Communications, Inc. ("TCI"). See "The
Company." The Company will be the sole obligor under the Subordinated Debt
Securities and the Preferred Securities Guarantee and with respect to the
other obligations of the Company described herein, and TCI has no obligation
or liability, contingent or otherwise, to pay any amounts due pursuant to the
Subordinated Debt Securities, the Preferred Securities Guarantee or the
Preferred Securities.
 
                               ----------------
 
 
  IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE SECURITIES
OFFERED HEREBY AT LEVELS ABOVE THOSE WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN
MARKET. SUCH TRANSACTIONS MAY BE EFFECTED ON THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, IN
THE OVER-THE-COUNTER MARKET OR OTHERWISE. SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY
BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
 
                                      S-3
<PAGE>
 
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
  The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
detailed information appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus Supplement and in
the accompanying Prospectus. Reference is made to "Definitions" on page S-44
for the location in this Prospectus Supplement of the definitions of certain
capitalized terms used herein.
 
PREFERRED SECURITIES OFFERED
 
          % trust preferred securities evidencing preferred undivided
beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust are offered hereby. Holders of
the Preferred Securities are entitled to receive cumulative cash distributions
at an annual rate of   % of the liquidation amount of $25 per Preferred
Security, accruing from        , 199  and payable quarterly in arrears on March
31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year, commencing on        ,
199 . The distribution payable on        , 199 , which will be calculated at
the above rate and based on a period that is shorter than a full quarter, will
be in the amount of $   per Preferred Security. The distribution rate and the
distribution and other payment dates for the Preferred Securities will
correspond to the interest rate and interest and other payment dates on the
Subordinated Debt Securities, which will be the sole assets of the Trust. As a
result, if principal or interest is not paid on the Subordinated Debt
Securities, no amounts will be paid on the Preferred Securities. See
"Description of the Preferred Securities."
 
SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
 
  The Trust will invest the proceeds from the issuance of the Preferred
Securities and Common Securities in an equivalent amount of   % Subordinated
Deferrable Interest Notes due        , 20  of the Company. The Subordinated
Debt Securities will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to all
Senior Indebtedness of the Company. See "Description of the Subordinated Debt
Securities--Subordination."
 
PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE
 
  Payment of distributions out of moneys held by the Trust, and payments on
liquidation of the Trust or the redemption of Preferred Securities, are
guaranteed by the Company if and to the extent the Trust has funds available
therefor. If the Company does not make principal or interest payments on the
Subordinated Debt Securities, the Trust will not have sufficient funds to
redeem or make distributions on the Preferred Securities, in which event the
Preferred Securities Guarantee will not apply to such redemptions or
distributions until the Trust has sufficient funds available therefor. The
Company's obligations under the Preferred Securities Guarantee, taken together
with its other obligations described herein, constitute a full and
unconditional guarantee by the Company of payments due on the Preferred
Securities. See "Effect of Obligations Under the Subordinated Debt Securities
and the Preferred Securities Guarantee" and "Description of the Preferred
Securities Guarantee." The obligations of the Company under the Preferred
Securities Guarantee are subordinate and junior in right of payment to all
other liabilities of the Company and will rank pari passu with the most senior
preferred stock issued by the Company from time to time and with any guarantee
that may be entered into by the Company in respect of any preferred stock of
any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company. See "Risk Factors--Ranking of
Obligations under Preferred Securities Guarantee and Subordinated Debt
Securities" and "--Rights under the Preferred Securities Guarantee" and
"Description of the Preferred Securities Guarantee."
 
INTEREST DEFERRAL
 
  The Company has the right to defer payments of interest on the Subordinated
Debt Securities by extending the interest payment period on the Subordinated
Debt Securities, at any time and from time to time, for up to 20
 
                                      S-4
<PAGE>
 
consecutive quarters. If interest payments on the Subordinated Debt Securities
are so deferred, distributions on the Preferred Securities will also be
deferred. During any deferral, distributions will continue to accrue with
interest thereon compounded quarterly (to the extent permitted by law) as
described herein. There could be multiple Extension Periods of varying lengths
throughout the term of the Subordinated Debt Securities. During an Extension
Period, holders of Preferred Securities will be required to include deferred
interest income in their gross income in advance of receipt of the cash
interest payments attributable thereto. See "Description of the Preferred
Securities--Voting Rights," "Description of the Subordinated Debt Securities--
Option to Extend Interest Payment Period" and "Certain Federal Income Tax
Consequences--Original Issue Discount, Premium and Market Discount."
 
MANDATORY REDEMPTION OF PREFERRED SECURITIES
 
  Unless previously redeemed pursuant to the optional or special redemption
provisions described below, each of the outstanding Preferred Securities will
be redeemed by the Trust, in cash, on      , 20  , which is the maturity date
of the Subordinated Debt Securities, at the Redemption Price, which is equal to
(a) $25 per Preferred Security plus (b) accrued and unpaid distributions
thereon to the date of redemption. See "Description of the Preferred
Securities--Mandatory Redemption."
 
OPTIONAL AND SPECIAL REDEMPTION
 
  The Subordinated Debt Securities are redeemable by the Company in whole or in
part, from time to time, on or after      , 200 , or at any time in certain
circumstances upon the occurrence of a Tax Event, in each case at a price equal
to (a) 100% of the principal amount of Subordinated Debt Securities to be
redeemed plus (b) accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of
redemption. If the Company redeems Subordinated Debt Securities, the Trust must
redeem Trust Securities, including the Preferred Securities, having an
aggregate liquidation amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the
Subordinated Debt Securities so redeemed at the Redemption Price. See
"Description of the Preferred Securities--Mandatory Redemption" and "--Special
Event Redemption or Distribution."
 
VOTING RIGHTS
 
  Holders of Preferred Securities will have limited voting rights and will not
be entitled to vote to appoint, remove or replace, or to increase or decrease
the number of, Company Trustees (as defined herein), which voting rights are
vested exclusively in the holder of the Common Securities. See "Description of
the Preferred Securities--Voting Rights."
 
USE OF PROCEEDS
 
  The Trust will invest the proceeds from the sale of the Preferred Securities
offered hereby in the Subordinated Debt Securities, the proceeds of which will
be used by the Company to repay indebtedness outstanding under its commercial
paper program. The weighted average interest rate of indebtedness outstanding
under such commercial paper program as of November 25, 1996 was approximately
5.7632%. See "Use of Proceeds."
 
LISTING
 
  An application will be filed to list the Preferred Securities on the New York
Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the symbol "TFI PrB." If such application is
approved, trading of the Preferred Securities on the NYSE is expected to
commence within a 30-day period after the initial delivery of the Preferred
Securities. See "Underwriting."
 
                                      S-5
<PAGE>
 
                                 RISK FACTORS
 
  Prospective purchasers of Preferred Securities should carefully review the
information contained in other sections of this Prospectus Supplement and in
the accompanying Prospectus and should particularly consider the following
matters.
 
RANKING OF OBLIGATIONS UNDER PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE AND SUBORDINATED
DEBT SECURITIES
 
  The Company's obligations under the Preferred Securities Guarantee are
subordinate and junior in right of payment to all liabilities of the Company
and pari passu with the most senior preferred stock issued by the Company from
time to time and with any guarantee that may be entered into by the Company in
respect of any preferred stock of any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company.
The obligations of the Company under the Subordinated Debt Securities are
subordinate and junior in right of payment to all present and future Senior
Indebtedness (as defined herein) of the Company. No payment of principal of
(including redemption payments), premium, if any, or interest on the
Subordinated Debt Securities may be made if (a) any Senior Indebtedness of the
Company is not paid when due and any applicable grace period with respect to
such default has ended with such default not being cured or waived or ceasing
to exist, or (b) the maturity of any Senior Indebtedness has been accelerated
because of a default. At September 30, 1996, Senior Indebtedness of the
Company aggregated approximately $9,234 million. In addition, because the
Company is primarily a holding company, its obligations under the Preferred
Securities Guarantee and the Subordinated Debt Securities will be effectively
subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of its subsidiaries. At
September 30, 1996, the subsidiaries of the Company had total debt (excluding
debt owed to the Company) of approximately $5,257 million. See "Holding
Company Structure" below. There are no terms in the Preferred Securities, the
Subordinated Debt Securities or the Preferred Securities Guarantee that limit
the Company's ability to incur additional indebtedness, including indebtedness
that ranks senior to the Subordinated Debt Securities or the Preferred
Securities Guarantee. See "Description of the Preferred Securities Guarantee"
and "Description of the Subordinated Debt Securities--Subordination." Although
the Company is a subsidiary of TCI, TCI will have no obligation, contingent or
otherwise, to pay any amounts due pursuant to the Subordinated Debt
Securities, the Preferred Securities Guarantee or the Preferred Securities.
 
RIGHTS UNDER THE PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE
 
  The Preferred Securities Guarantee guarantees to the holders of the
Preferred Securities the payment of (i) any accrued and unpaid distributions
which are required to be paid on the Preferred Securities, to the extent the
Trust shall have funds available therefor, (ii) the Redemption Price, which
includes all accrued and unpaid distributions to the date of the redemption,
to the extent the Trust has funds available therefor, with respect to any
Preferred Securities called for redemption by the Trust and (iii) upon a
voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or termination of the Trust
(other than in connection with the distribution of Subordinated Debt
Securities to the holders of Preferred Securities), the lesser of (a) the
aggregate of the liquidation amount and all accrued and unpaid distributions
on the Preferred Securities to the date of payment thereof, to the extent the
Trust has funds available therefor, and (b) the amount of assets of the Trust
remaining available for distribution to holders of Preferred Securities in
liquidation of the Trust. Holders of the Preferred Securities have the right
to proceed directly against the Company to enforce the Company's obligations
to make payments under the Preferred Securities Guarantee, without first
instituting a legal proceeding against the Trust, the Preferred Guarantee
Trustee (as defined herein) or any other person or entity. If the Company were
to default in its obligation to pay amounts payable on the Subordinated Debt
Securities, the Trust would lack available funds for the payment of
distributions or amounts payable on redemption of the Preferred Securities or
otherwise, and in such event holders of the Preferred Securities would not be
able to rely upon the Preferred Securities Guarantee for payment of such
amounts. Instead, holders of the Preferred Securities would rely on the
enforcement by the Property Trustee (as defined herein) of its rights as
registered holder of the Subordinated Debt Securities against the Company,
pursuant to the terms of the Subordinated Debt Securities. See "Description of
the Preferred Securities Guarantee--Status of the Preferred Securities
Guarantee" and "Description of the Subordinated Debt Securities--
Subordination." The Declaration (as defined herein) provides that each holder
of Preferred Securities by acceptance thereof agrees to the provisions of the
Preferred Securities Guarantee and the Indenture (as defined herein).
 
                                      S-6
<PAGE>
 
ENFORCEMENT OF CERTAIN RIGHTS BY HOLDERS OF PREFERRED SECURITIES
 
  If a Declaration Event of Default (as defined herein) occurs and is
continuing, then the holders of Preferred Securities would rely on the
enforcement by the Property Trustee of its rights as the holder of the
Subordinated Debt Securities against the Company. In addition, the holders of
a majority in aggregate liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities will
have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Property Trustee or to direct the
exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the Property Trustee under the
Declaration, including the right to direct the Property Trustee to exercise
the remedies available to it as a holder of the Subordinated Debt Securities.
If a Declaration Event of Default occurs that results from the failure of the
Company to pay principal of or interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities
when due, during the continuance of such an event of default a holder of
Preferred Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against the
Company to obtain payment of such principal or interest on Subordinated Debt
Securities having a principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount
of the Preferred Securities owned of record by such holder. The holders of
Preferred Securities will not be able to exercise directly against the Company
any other remedy available to the Property Trustee unless the Property Trustee
first fails to do so. See "Description of the Preferred Securities--Voting
Rights."
 
OPTION TO EXTEND INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD
 
  The Company has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest
on the Subordinated Debt Securities by extending the interest payment period
at any time, and from time to time, on the Subordinated Debt Securities. As a
consequence of such an extension, quarterly distributions on the Preferred
Securities would be deferred (but despite such deferral would continue to
accrue with interest thereon compounded quarterly) by the Trust during any
such extended interest payment period. Such right to extend the interest
payment period for the Subordinated Debt Securities is limited to a period not
exceeding 20 consecutive quarters for any such extension. In the event that
the Company exercises this right to defer payments of interest, then (a) the
Company shall not declare or pay any dividend on, make any distributions with
respect to, or redeem, purchase or make a liquidation payment with respect to,
any of its capital stock, (b) the Company shall not make any payment of
interest, principal or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any
debt securities issued by the Company which rank pari passu with or junior to
the Subordinated Debt Securities and (c) the Company shall not make any
guarantee payments (other than pursuant to the Preferred Securities Guarantee)
with respect to the foregoing; provided, however, that the foregoing
restrictions do not apply to any dividend, redemption, interest, principal or
guarantee payments by the Company where the payment is made by way of (i)
securities (including capital stock) that rank junior to the securities on
which such dividend, redemption, interest, principal or guarantee payment is
being made or (ii) securities (including capital stock) of TCI. Prior to the
termination of any such Extension Period, the Company may further defer
payments of interest by further extending the interest payment period,
provided that such Extension Period, together with all such previous and
further extensions thereof, may not exceed 20 consecutive quarters or extend
beyond the maturity of the Subordinated Debt Securities. Upon the termination
of any Extension Period and the payment of all amounts then due, the Company
may select a new Extension Period, as if no Extension Period had previously
been declared, subject to the above requirements. See "Description of the
Preferred Securities--Distributions" and "--Voting Rights" and "Description of
the Subordinated Debt Securities--Option to Extend Interest Payment Period."
 
  Should the Company exercise its right to defer payments of interest by
extending the interest payment period, each holder of Preferred Securities
will continue to accrue income (as original issue discount) for United States
federal income tax purposes in respect of the deferred interest allocable to
its Preferred Securities, which will be allocated, but not distributed, to
holders of record of Preferred Securities. As a result, holders of Preferred
Securities will recognize income for United States federal income tax purposes
in advance of the receipt of cash and will not receive cash from the Trust
related to such income if such holder disposes of its Preferred Securities
prior to the record date for the date on which distributions of such amounts
are made. The Company has no current intention of exercising its right to
defer payments of interest by extending the interest payment period on the
Subordinated Debt Securities. However, should the Company determine to
exercise such right in the future, the market price of the Preferred
Securities is likely to be affected. A holder that disposes of its Preferred
Securities during an Extension Period, therefore, might not receive the same
return on its investment as a holder that continues to hold its Preferred
Securities. In addition, as a result of the existence of the Company's right
to
 
                                      S-7
<PAGE>
 
defer interest payments, the market price of the Preferred Securities (which
represent a preferred undivided beneficial interest in the Subordinated Debt
Securities) may be more volatile than other securities on which original issue
discount accrues that are not subject to such right. See "Certain Federal
Income Tax Consequences--Original Issue Discount, Premium and Market
Discount."
 
SPECIAL EVENT DISTRIBUTION
 
  Upon the occurrence of a Special Event, the Trust will be terminated, except
in the limited circumstances described below, with the result that the
Subordinated Debt Securities would be distributed to the holders of the Trust
Securities in connection with the liquidation of the Trust. In the case of a
Special Event that is a Tax Event, in certain circumstances the Company shall
have the right to redeem the Subordinated Debt Securities, in whole or in
part, in which event the Trust will redeem the Trust Securities on a pro rata
basis to the same extent as the Subordinated Debt Securities are redeemed. See
"Description of the Preferred Securities--Special Event Redemption or
Distribution" and "Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences."
 
  Under current United States federal income tax law, a distribution of the
Subordinated Debt Securities upon the termination of the Trust would not be a
taxable event to holders of the Preferred Securities. Upon occurrence of a Tax
Event, however, a termination of the Trust in which holders of the Preferred
Securities receive cash would be a taxable event to such holders. See "Certain
Federal Income Tax Consequences--Receipt of Subordinated Debt Securities or
Cash upon Liquidation of the Trust."
 
  There can be no assurance as to the market prices for the Preferred
Securities, or the Subordinated Debt Securities that may be distributed in
exchange for Preferred Securities if a termination of the Trust were to occur.
Accordingly, the Preferred Securities that an investor may purchase, or the
Subordinated Debt Securities that the investor may receive on dissolution and
liquidation of the Trust, may trade at a discount to the price that the
investor paid to purchase the Preferred Securities offered hereby. Because
holders of Preferred Securities may receive Subordinated Debt Securities upon
the occurrence of a Special Event, prospective purchasers of Preferred
Securities are also making an investment decision with regard to the
Subordinated Debt Securities and should carefully review all the information
regarding the Subordinated Debt Securities and the Company contained herein.
See "Description of the Preferred Securities--Special Event Redemption or
Distribution" and "Description of the Subordinated Debt Securities."
 
PROPOSED TAX LAW CHANGES
 
  On December 7, 1995, the U.S. Treasury Department proposed a series of tax
law changes that would, among other things, prevent companies from deducting
interest on debt instruments with a maturity of more than 40 years and on
instruments with a maximum term of more than 20 years which are not shown as
indebtedness on the consolidated balance sheet of the issuer. Either of these
proposals, if enacted, would prevent the Company from deducting interest paid
on the Subordinated Debt Securities. The Company cannot predict whether the
proposed tax law changes will become law. However, the Chairmen of the House
Ways and Means and Senate Finance Committees issued a joint statement on March
29, 1996 stating that the effective date of these proposals, if enacted, would
be no earlier than the date of appropriate Congressional action. In addition,
subsequent to the publication of such joint statement, Senator Daniel Patrick
Moynihan and Representatives Sam M. Gibbons and Charles B. Rangel wrote
letters to Treasury Department officials concurring with the view expressed in
such joint statement. If legislation is enacted limiting, in whole or in part,
the deductibility by the Company of interest on the Subordinated Debt
Securities for United States federal income tax purposes, such enactment would
be a Tax Event. Under certain circumstances following a Tax Event, the Company
may cause the Subordinated Debt Securities to be redeemed, in which event the
Trust would redeem the Trust Securities. The December 7, 1995 proposed tax law
changes would not alter the United States federal income tax consequences of
the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Preferred Securities. See
"Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences."
 
LIMITED VOTING RIGHTS
 
  Holders of Preferred Securities will have limited voting rights, primarily
in connection with directing the activities of the Property Trustee as the
holder of the Subordinated Debt Securities. Such holders will not be entitled
to vote to appoint, remove or replace, or to increase or decrease the number
of, Company Trustees, which voting rights are vested exclusively in the
Company as the holder of the Common Securities. See "Description of the
Preferred Securities--Voting Rights."
 
                                      S-8
<PAGE>
 
TRADING PRICE OF PREFERRED SECURITIES
 
  The Preferred Securities may trade at a price that does not fully reflect
the value of accrued but unpaid interest with respect to the underlying
Subordinated Debt Securities. A holder who disposes of his Preferred
Securities between record dates for payments of distributions thereon will be
required to include accrued but unpaid interest on the Subordinated Debt
Securities through the date of disposition in income as ordinary income (i.e.,
OID (as defined herein)), and to add such amount to his adjusted tax basis in
his pro rata share of the underlying Subordinated Debt Securities deemed
disposed of. To the extent the selling price is less than the holder's
adjusted tax basis (which will include, in the form of OID, all accrued but
unpaid interest), a holder will recognize a capital loss. Subject to certain
limited exceptions, capital losses cannot be applied to offset ordinary income
for United States federal income tax purposes. See "Certain Federal Income Tax
Consequences--Original Issue Discount, Premium and Market Discount" and 
"--Sale of Preferred Securities."
 
HOLDING COMPANY STRUCTURE
 
  The Trust's ability to make distributions and other payments on the
Preferred Securities is solely dependent upon the Company's making interest
and other payments on the Subordinated Debt Securities. The Company is a
holding company and its assets consist almost entirely of investments in its
subsidiaries. A substantial portion of the consolidated liabilities have been
incurred by its subsidiaries. Therefore, the Company's rights and the rights
of its creditors, including holders of Subordinated Debt Securities, to
participate in the distribution of assets of any subsidiary upon the latter's
liquidation or reorganization will be subject to prior claims of the
subsidiary's creditors, including trade creditors, except to the extent that
the Company may itself be a creditor with recognized claims against the
subsidiary (in which case the claims of the Company would still be subject to
the prior claims of any secured creditor of such subsidiary and of any holder
of indebtedness of such subsidiary that is senior to that held by the
Company). Accordingly, the holders of Subordinated Debt Securities may be
effectively subordinated to such claims. At September 30, 1996, the
subsidiaries of the Company had total debt (excluding debt owed to the
Company) of approximately $5,257 million.
 
  The Company's ability to service its indebtedness, including the
Subordinated Debt Securities, and to perform under the Preferred Securities
Guarantee, is dependent upon the earnings of the Company's subsidiaries and
the distribution or other payment of such earnings to the Company in the form
of dividends, loans or advances, payment or reimbursement for management fees
and expenses, and repayment of loans and advances from the Company. The
subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation,
contingent or otherwise, to pay any amounts due pursuant to the Subordinated
Debt Securities or the Preferred Securities Guarantee or to make any funds
available therefor, whether by dividends, loans or other payments. The payment
of dividends or the making of loans and advances to the Company by its
subsidiaries may be subject to statutory or regulatory restrictions, are
contingent upon the earnings of those subsidiaries and are subject to various
business considerations. Further, certain of the Company's subsidiaries are
subject to loan agreements that prohibit or limit the transfer of funds by
such subsidiaries to the Company in the form of loans, advances or dividends
and require that such subsidiaries' indebtedness to the Company be subordinate
to the indebtedness under such loan agreements. The amount of net assets of
subsidiaries subject to such restrictions exceeds the Company's consolidated
net assets.
 
LOSSES INCURRED BY THE COMPANY
 
  The Company incurred net losses of $120 million and $5 million for the years
ended December 31, 1995 and 1993, respectively, and net losses of $260 million
and $50 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1995,
respectively. The Company had net earnings of $94 million for the year ended
December 31, 1994. Notwithstanding the losses it has incurred, the Company has
been able to, and expects to continue to be able to, satisfy its debt service
and other obligations as and when they become due. The Company's operating
cash flow (operating income before depreciation, amortization and other non-
cash credits or charges) ($2,043 million, $1,801 million and $1,858 million
for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively, and $1,642
million and $1,541 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and
1995, respectively) has
 
                                      S-9
<PAGE>
 
historically been sufficient to cover its interest expense ($962 million, $777
million and $731 million for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993,
respectively, and $760 million and $713 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 1996 and 1995, respectively). The Company's interest coverage
ratios for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 were 212%, 232%
and 254%, respectively, and for each of the nine month periods ended September
30, 1996 and 1995 were 216%. Operating cash flow is a measure of value and
borrowing capacity within the cable television industry and is not intended to
be a substitute for cash flows provided by operating activities, a measure of
performance prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, and should not be relied upon as such. Operating cash flow, as
defined, does not take into consideration substantial costs of doing business,
such as interest expense, and should not be considered in isolation to other
measures of performance.
 
  Another measure of liquidity is net cash provided by operating activities as
reflected in the Company's consolidated statements of cash flows. Net cash
provided by operating activities ($1,263 million, $1,142 million and $1,251
million for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively,
and $783 million and $854 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1996
and 1995, respectively) reflects net cash from the operations of the Company
available for the Company's liquidity needs after taking into consideration
the aforementioned substantial costs of doing business not reflected in
operating cash flow. Amounts expended by the Company for its investing
activities exceed net cash provided by operating activities.
 
CREDIT RATING ON DEBT
 
  On October 18, 1996, Standard & Poor's Securities, Inc. ("Standard &
Poor's"), a national statistical rating agency, issued a press release stating
that the Company's senior debt would be placed on its CreditWatch with
negative implications. The Company's senior debt is currently rated BBB- by
Standard & Poor's (the last level of investment grade). A downgrade by
Standard & Poor's of the Company's senior debt would lower such debt to the
first level below investment grade. The action described above and any
downgrade which may occur in the future may adversely affect the Company's
overall cost of future borrowings. On November 8, 1996, Standard & Poor's held
a conference call with investors about the Company's debt during which
Standard & Poor's stated that before making a determination about the
Company's debt ratings, it would wait to review the Company's plan to lower
the ratio of debt to operating cash flow.
 
  The Company's debt is also rated by Moody's Investors Service, Inc., Fitch
Investors Service, L.P. and Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co. Such rating
agencies have not changed (or indicated to the Company that they may change)
their rating of the Company's debt.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
  The Company is principally engaged in the construction, acquisition,
development, ownership and operation of cable television systems. The Company
is the largest provider of basic cable television services in the United
States based on the number of basic subscribers served by the Company and its
subsidiaries and affiliates at September 30, 1996.
 
  The Company is a subsidiary of Tele-Communications, Inc. ("TCI") which, in
addition to the operations of the Company, is engaged in the provision of
satellite-delivered programming services to various distribution media,
principally cable television systems. In addition, TCI has interests in cable
and telecommunications operations and television programming in certain
international markets and has investments in companies and joint ventures
involved in developing and providing programming for new television and
telecommunications technologies. TCI will have no obligation or liability,
contingent or otherwise, under the Subordinated Debt Securities, the Preferred
Securities Guarantees or the Preferred Securities.
 
  The Company is a Delaware corporation incorporated in 1968. Its executive
offices are located at Terrace Tower II, 5619 DTC Parkway, Englewood, Colorado
80111-3000; telephone (303) 267-5500.
 
                                   THE TRUST
 
  The Trust is a statutory business trust formed under Delaware law pursuant
to the filing of a certificate of trust with the Delaware Secretary of State
on November 21, 1995. The Trust's business is defined in a
 
                                     S-10
<PAGE>
 
Declaration of Trust, dated as of November 21, 1995, executed by the Company,
as sponsor (the "Sponsor"), and the Company Trustees as of that date. The
Declaration of Trust will be amended and restated in its entirety (as so
amended and restated, the "Declaration") substantially in the form filed as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus Supplement and
the accompanying Prospectus form a part. The Declaration will be qualified as
an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust
Indenture Act"). Upon issuance of the Preferred Securities, the purchasers
thereof will own all of the Preferred Securities. See "Description of the
Preferred Securities--Book-Entry Issuance Only--The Depository Trust Company."
The Company will directly or indirectly acquire all of the Common Securities
in an aggregate liquidation amount equal to 3% of the total capital of the
Trust. The Trust exists for the exclusive purposes of (i) issuing and selling
the Trust Securities, representing undivided beneficial interests in the
assets of the Trust, (ii) investing the gross proceeds of the Trust Securities
in the Subordinated Debt Securities and (iii) engaging in only those other
activities necessary or incidental thereto. The Trust has a term of
approximately 55 years, but may terminate earlier as provided in the
Declaration.
 
  The Trust's business and affairs will be conducted by the trustees (the
"Company Trustees") appointed by the Company, as holder of the Common
Securities. The duties and obligations of the Company Trustees shall be
governed by the Declaration, the Trust Indenture Act and the Trust Act (as
defined below). Pursuant to the Declaration, the number of Company Trustees
will initially be five. Three of the Company Trustees (the "Regular Trustees")
will be persons who are employees or officers of, or affiliated with, the
Company. A fourth trustee will be a financial institution unaffiliated with
the Company that will serve as property trustee (the "Property Trustee") under
the Declaration and as indenture trustee for purposes of the Trust Indenture
Act. The Bank of New York will act as the Property Trustee until removed or
replaced by the holder of the Common Securities. The Bank of New York will
also act as indenture trustee under the Preferred Securities Guarantee (the
"Preferred Guarantee Trustee"). See "Description of the Preferred Securities
Guarantee." The fifth trustee will be a financial institution or an affiliate
thereof which maintains a principal place of business in the State of Delaware
(the "Delaware Trustee") and meets any other requirements of applicable law.
The Bank of New York (Delaware) will act as the Delaware Trustee.
 
  The Property Trustee will hold title to the Subordinated Debt Securities for
the benefit of the Trust and holders of the Trust Securities and will have the
power to exercise all rights, powers and privileges under the Indenture (as
defined herein) as the holder of the Subordinated Debt Securities. In
addition, the Property Trustee will maintain exclusive control of a segregated
non-interest bearing bank account (the "Property Account") to hold all
payments made in respect of the Subordinated Debt Securities for the benefit
of the Trust and holders of the Trust Securities. The Property Trustee will
make payments of distributions and payments on liquidation, redemption and
otherwise to the holders of the Trust Securities out of funds from the
Property Account. The Preferred Guarantee Trustee will hold the Preferred
Securities Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of the Preferred
Securities. The Company, as the holder of all the Common Securities, will have
the right to appoint, remove or replace any Company Trustee and to increase or
decrease the number of Company Trustees, provided that the number of Company
Trustees shall be at least three, a majority of which shall be Regular
Trustees. The Company will pay all fees, expenses, debts and obligations
(other than the Trust Securities) related to the Trust and the offering of the
Trust Securities. The Company has agreed that the Property Trustee and any
person to whom such fees, expenses, debts and obligations are owed will have
the right to enforce the Company's obligations in respect of such fees,
expenses, debts and obligations directly against the Company without first
proceeding against the Trust. See "Description of the Preferred Securities--
Expenses and Taxes."
 
  The rights of the holders of the Preferred Securities, including economic
rights, rights to information and voting rights, are as set forth in the
Declaration, the Delaware Business Trust Act, as amended (the "Trust Act"),
and the Trust Indenture Act. See "Description of the Preferred Securities."
 
  The principal place of business of the Trust shall be c/o TCI
Communications, Inc., Terrace Tower II, 5619 DTC Parkway, Englewood, Colorado
80111-3000; telephone (303) 267-5500.
 
                                     S-11
<PAGE>
 
                    SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA OF THE COMPANY
 
  The following table sets forth selected historical financial data for the
Company for each of the five fiscal years in the period ended December 31,
1995 and for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1995. The selected
financial data for each of the five fiscal years in the period ended December
31, 1995 are derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of the
Company. The selected financial data for the interim periods are derived from
the unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company, which have
been prepared on the same basis as the Company's audited consolidated
financial statements and, in the opinion of management, contain all
adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a
fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations of the
Company for those periods. The following information is qualified in its
entirety by, and should be read in conjunction with, the consolidated
financial statements and notes thereto of the Company incorporated by
reference herein.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           NINE MONTHS
                              ENDED
                          SEPTEMBER 30,        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                          --------------  --------------------------------------
                           1996    1995    1995    1994    1993    1992    1991
                          ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
                                (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT RATIO AMOUNTS)
<S>                       <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS
 DATA:
 Revenue................  $4,554  $3,741  $5,118  $4,318  $4,153  $3,574  $3,214
 Operating income.......     615     660     803     818     916     864     674
 Earnings (loss) from:
 Continuing operations..    (260)    (50)   (120)     94      (5)      8     (77)
 Discontinued
  operations............     --      --      --      --      --      (15)    (19)
                          ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
                            (260)    (50)   (120)     94      (5)     (7)    (96)
 Dividend requirement on
  redeemable preferred
  stocks................      (7)    --      --      --       (2)    (15)    --
                          ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 Net earnings (loss)
  attributable to common
  stockholders..........  $ (267) $  (50) $ (120) $   94  $   (7) $  (22) $  (96)
                          ======  ======  ======  ======  ======  ======  ======
OTHER DATA:
 Ratio of earnings to
  combined fixed charges
  and preferred stock
  dividends(1)..........     --      --      --     1.21x   1.22x   1.00x    --
 Operating income before
  depreciation,
  amortization and non-
  cash operating
  expenses(2)...........  $1,642  $1,541  $2,043  $1,801  $1,858  $1,637  $1,430
 Consolidated basic
  cable subscribers.....    13.9    12.2    12.4    11.1    10.3     9.9     8.9
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      DECEMBER 31,
                           SEPTEMBER 30, ---------------------------------------
                               1996       1995    1994    1993    1992    1991
                           ------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
                                               (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                        <C>           <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
SUMMARY BALANCE SHEET
 DATA:
 Property and equipment,
  net....................     $ 8,368    $ 6,988 $ 5,579 $ 4,935 $ 4,562 $ 4,081
 Franchise costs, net....      14,624     11,563   9,297   9,197   9,300   8,104
 Net assets of
  discontinued
  operations.............         --         --      --      --      --      242
 Total assets............      25,305     20,364  15,880  16,527  16,315  15,169
 Debt....................      14,491     12,635  10,712   9,900  10,285   9,455
 Stockholders' equity....       1,822      1,729     683   2,116   1,728   1,571
 Shares outstanding (net
  of treasury shares)(3):
 Class A Common Stock....           1          1       1     403     382     370
 Class B Common Stock....         --         --      --       47      48      49
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) The ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock
    dividends of the Company was 1.21, 1.22, and 1.00 for the years ended
    December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992, respectively. The ratio of earnings to
    combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends of the Company was
    less than 1.00 for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1991, and for the
    nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1995; thus, earnings available
    for combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends were inadequate
    to cover combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends for such
    periods. The amounts of the coverage deficiencies were $170 million and
    $177 million for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1991, respectively,
    and $388 million and $63 million for the nine months ended September 30,
    1996 and 1995, respectively. For the ratio calculations, earnings
    available for combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends
    consists of earnings (losses) before income taxes plus fixed charges
    (minus capitalized interest), distributions from and losses of less than
    50%-owned affiliates with debt not guaranteed by the Company
 
                                        (footnotes continued on following page)
 
                                     S-12
<PAGE>
 
(footnotes continued from preceding page)
 
    (net of earnings not distributed of less than 50%-owned affiliates),
    minority interests in earnings (losses) of consolidated subsidiaries, the
    elimination of preferred stock dividend requirements of consolidated
    subsidiaries to 50%-owned affiliates, and preferred stock dividend
    requirements of 50%-owned affiliates, other than amounts to the Company.
    Combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends consist of (i) interest
    (including capitalized interest) on debt, including interest of less than
    50%-owned affiliates with debt guaranteed by the Company, (ii) the
    elimination of interest of consolidated subsidiaries to 50%-owned
    affiliates, (iii) the Company's proportionate share of interest of 50%-owned
    affiliates, (iv) that portion of rental expense the Company believes to be
    representative of interest (one-third of rental expense), (v) amortization
    of debt expense, (vi) that portion of minority interests in earnings
    (losses) of consolidated subsidiaries that represent the amount of pretax
    earnings that would be required to cover preferred stock dividend
    requirements of consolidated subsidiaries, (vii) that portion of the
    Company's earnings (losses) that represent the amount of pretax earnings
    that would be required to cover preferred stock dividend requirements of the
    Company, (viii) the elimination of preferred stock dividend requirements of
    consolidated subsidiaries to 50%-owned affiliates, and (ix) the preferred
    stock dividend requirements of 50%-owned affiliates, other than amounts to
    the Company. The Company has guaranteed the debt of certain less than 50%-
    owned affiliates and certain other entities in which it has an interest.
    Fixed charges of $5 million, $5 million, $14 million, $3 million and $1
    million relating to such guarantees for the years ended December 31, 1995,
    1994, 1993, 1992 and 1991, respectively, and fixed charges of $3 million and
    $3 million relating to such guarantees for the nine months ended September
    30, 1996 and 1995, respectively, have not been included in fixed charges.
(2) Operating income before depreciation, amortization and non-cash operating
    expenses should not be considered as an alternative to net income or to
    cash flows provided by operating activities or to any other measure of
    performance or liquidity as an indicator of an entity's operating
    performance.
(3) On August 4, 1994, each 500.3735 shares of Class A Common Stock and
    500.3735 shares of Class B Common Stock issued and outstanding on that
    date were reclassified and changed into one share of Class A Common Stock
    and one share of Class B Common Stock, respectively.
 
                                     S-13
<PAGE>
 
                         CAPITALIZATION OF THE COMPANY
 
  The following table sets forth the unaudited consolidated capitalization of
the Company at September 30, 1996, and as adjusted to reflect the offering of
the Preferred Securities and the application of the estimated net proceeds to
repay indebtedness outstanding under the Company's commercial paper program as
set forth under "Use of Proceeds." The following should be read in conjunction
with the Company's consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto
incorporated by reference herein.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
                                                      -----------------------
                                                         AS            AS
                                                      REPORTED      ADJUSTED
                                                      ---------     ---------
                                                         (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                   <C>           <C>
Total Debt........................................... $  14,491      $
                                                      ---------      --------
Minority interests in equity of consolidated
 subsidiaries........................................       821           821
Redeemable preferred stock...........................       232           232
Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred
 securities of subsidiary trusts holding solely
 subordinated debt securities of the Company(1)......     1,000(1)           (2)
                                                      ---------      --------
Stockholders' equity:
  Class A Common Stock...............................         1             1
  Class B Common Stock...............................       --            --
  Additional paid-in capital.........................     3,679         3,679
  Unrealized holding gains for available-for-sale
   securities........................................         4             4
  Accumulated deficit................................      (630)         (630)
  Investment in Tele-Communications, Inc. ...........    (1,143)       (1,143)
  Due from Tele-Communications, Inc..................       (89)          (89)
                                                      ---------      --------
   Total stockholders' equity........................     1,822         1,822
                                                      ---------      --------
    Total capitalization............................. $  18,366      $
                                                      =========      ========
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) On January 29, 1996, TCI Communications Financing I, a Delaware business
    trust ("Trust I") sponsored by the Company, issued preferred securities
    with an aggregate liquidation amount of $500 million. The sole asset of
    Trust I is $515.5 million principal amount of 8.72% Subordinated
    Deferrable Interest Notes of the Company due January 31, 2045. Upon
    redemption of such debt, the preferred securities of Trust I will be
    mandatorily redeemable. On May 17, 1996, TCI Communications Financing II,
    a Delaware business trust ("Trust II") sponsored by the Company, issued
    preferred securities with an aggregate liquidation amount of $500 million.
    The sole asset of Trust II is $515.5 million principal amount of 10%
    Subordinated Deferrable Interest Notes of the Company due May 31, 2045.
    Upon redemption of such debt, the preferred securities of Trust II will be
    mandatorily redeemable.
(2) As described in this Prospectus Supplement, the sole asset of the Trust
    will be the   % Subordinated Deferrable Interest Notes due     , 20  of
    the Company with a principal amount of $   million. Upon redemption of
    such debt, the Preferred Securities will be mandatorily redeemable.
 
                                     S-14
<PAGE>
 
                             ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
 
  The financial statements of the Trust will be consolidated with the
Company's financial statements, with the Preferred Securities shown on the
Company's consolidated financial statements as Company-obligated mandatorily
redeemable preferred securities of subsidiary trust holding solely
subordinated debt securities of the Company. The sole asset of the Trust will
be the   % Subordinated Deferrable Interest Notes due     , 20  in the
principal amount of $   million, which will eliminate upon consolidation of
the Trust.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
  The proceeds of the sale of the Preferred Securities will be invested by the
Trust in the Subordinated Debt Securities of the Company. The Company will use
the net proceeds from the sale of such Subordinated Debt Securities to repay
indebtedness outstanding under its commercial paper program. The weighted
average interest rate of indebtedness outstanding under such commercial paper
program as of November 25, 1996 was approximately 5.7632%.
 
                    DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED SECURITIES
 
  The Preferred Securities will be issued pursuant to the terms of the
Declaration. The Declaration will be qualified as an indenture under the Trust
Indenture Act. The Property Trustee will act as the indenture trustee for
purposes of compliance with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act. The
terms of the Preferred Securities will include those stated in the Declaration
and those made part of the Declaration by the Trust Act and the Trust
Indenture Act. The following summary of the principal terms and provisions of
the Preferred Securities does not purport to be complete and is subject to,
and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the Declaration (a copy of
which is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, of which this
Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus are a part), the Trust
Act and the Trust Indenture Act.
 
GENERAL
 
  The Declaration authorizes the Regular Trustees, on behalf of the Trust, to
issue the Preferred Securities, which represent preferred undivided beneficial
interests in the assets of the Trust, and the Common Securities, which
represent common undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust.
All of the Common Securities will be owned directly or indirectly by the
Company. The Common Securities rank pari passu, and payments will be made
thereon on a pro rata basis with the Preferred Securities, except that upon
the occurrence and during the continuation of a Declaration Event of Default,
the rights of the holders of the Common Securities to receive payment of
periodic distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise
will be subordinated to the rights to payment of the holders of the Preferred
Securities. The Declaration does not permit the issuance by the Trust of any
securities other than the Trust Securities or the incurrence of any
indebtedness by the Trust. Pursuant to the Declaration, the Property Trustee
will own and hold the Subordinated Debt Securities for the benefit of the
Trust and the holders of the Trust Securities. The payment of distributions
out of money held by the Trust, and payments upon redemption of the Preferred
Securities or liquidation of the Trust, are guaranteed by the Company to the
extent described under "Description of the Preferred Securities Guarantee."
 
  The Preferred Guarantee Trustee will hold the Preferred Securities Guarantee
for the benefit of the holders of the Preferred Securities. The Preferred
Securities Guarantee does not cover payment of distributions on the Preferred
Securities when the Trust does not have sufficient available funds in the
Property Account to make such distributions.
 
DISTRIBUTIONS
 
  Distributions on the Preferred Securities will be fixed at a rate per annum
of   % of the stated liquidation amount of $25 per Preferred Security
(equivalent to $   per Preferred Security). Distributions in arrears for
 
                                     S-15
<PAGE>
 
more than one quarter will bear interest at the rate of   % per annum
compounded quarterly (to the extent permitted by applicable law). The term
"distributions" as used herein includes any such interest payable unless
otherwise stated.
 
  Distributions on the Preferred Securities will be cumulative, will accrue
from      , 199 , and will be payable quarterly in arrears on March 31, June
30, September 30 and December 31 of each year to the holders of record on the
applicable record date, commencing     , 199 , when, as and if available for
payment by the Property Trustee, except as otherwise described below. The
amount of distributions payable for any full quarterly period will be computed
on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and for any period
shorter than a full quarter, on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed
in such a 90-day quarter.
 
  The Company has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest
on the Subordinated Debt Securities by extending the interest payment period
from time to time on the Subordinated Debt Securities which, if exercised,
would defer quarterly distributions on the Preferred Securities (though such
distributions would continue to accrue interest since interest would continue
to accrue on the Subordinated Debt Securities) during any such extended
interest payment period. In the event that the Company exercises this right,
then (a) the Company shall not declare or pay any dividend on, make any
distributions with respect to, or redeem, purchase or make a liquidation
payment with respect to, any of its capital stock, (b) the Company shall not
make any payment of interest, principal or premium, if any, on or repay,
repurchase or redeem any debt securities issued by the Company which rank pari
passu with or junior to the Subordinated Debt Securities, and (c) the Company
shall not make any guarantee payments (other than pursuant to the Preferred
Securities Guarantee) with respect to the foregoing; provided, however, that
the foregoing restrictions do not apply to any dividend, redemption,
liquidation, interest, principal or guarantee payments by the Company where
the payment is made by way of (i) securities (including capital stock) that
rank junior to the securities on which such dividend, redemption, interest,
principal or guarantee payment is being made or (ii) securities (including
capital stock) of TCI. Prior to the termination of any such Extension Period,
the Company may further extend the interest payment period, provided that such
Extension Period, together with all such previous and further extensions
thereof, may not exceed 20 consecutive quarters or extend beyond the maturity
of the Subordinated Debt Securities. Upon the termination of any Extension
Period and the payment of all amounts then due, the Company may select a new
Extension Period as if no Extension Period had previously been declared,
subject to the above requirements. See "--Voting Rights" below and
"Description of the Subordinated Debt Securities--Interest" and "--Option to
Extend Interest Payment Period." If distributions are deferred, the deferred
distributions and accrued interest thereon shall be paid to holders of record
of the Preferred Securities, if funds are available therefor, as they appear
on the books and records of the Trust on the record date next following the
termination of such Extension Period.
 
  Distributions on the Preferred Securities must be paid on the dates payable
to the extent that the Trust has funds available for the payment of such
distributions in the Property Account. The Trust's funds available for
distribution to the holders of the Preferred Securities will be limited to
payments received under the Subordinated Debt Securities. See "Description of
the Subordinated Debt Securities." The payment of distributions out of moneys
held by the Trust is guaranteed by the Company to the extent set forth under
"Description of the Preferred Securities Guarantee."
 
  Distributions on the Preferred Securities will be payable to the holders
thereof as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the relevant
record dates, which, as long as the Preferred Securities remain in book-entry
only form, will be one Business Day (as defined herein) prior to the relevant
payment dates, which payment dates correspond to the interest payment dates on
the Subordinated Debt Securities. Such distributions will be paid through the
Property Trustee, who will hold amounts received in respect of the
Subordinated Debt Securities in the Property Account for the benefit of the
Trust and the holders of the Trust Securities. Subject to any applicable laws
and regulations and the provisions of the Declaration, each such payment will
be made as described under "--Book-Entry Only Issuance--The Depository Trust
Company" below. In the event the Preferred Securities shall not continue to
remain in book-entry only form, the Regular Trustees shall have the right to
select relevant record dates which shall be at least one Business Day, but
less than 60 Business Days, prior to the relevant payment dates. In the event
that any date on which distributions are to be made on the
 
                                     S-16
<PAGE>
 
Preferred Securities is not a Business Day, then payment of the distributions
payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day which is a
Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such
delay) except that if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar
year, such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day, in
each case with the same force and effect as if made on such date. A "Business
Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which
banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized or required by law
to close.
 
MANDATORY REDEMPTION
 
  The Subordinated Debt Securities will mature on     , 20  and may be
redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time on or after      , 200 , or at any
time in certain circumstances upon the occurrence of a Tax Event. Upon the
repayment of the Subordinated Debt Securities, whether at maturity or upon
acceleration, redemption or otherwise, the proceeds from such repayment or
payment shall simultaneously be applied to redeem Trust Securities having an
aggregate liquidation amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the
Subordinated Debt Securities so repaid or redeemed at the Redemption Price;
provided, that except in the case of payments upon maturity, holders of Trust
Securities shall be given not less than 30 nor more than 60 days notice of
such redemption. See "Description of the Subordinated Debt Securities." In the
event that fewer than all of the outstanding Preferred Securities are to be
redeemed, the Preferred Securities will be redeemed pro rata as described
under "--Book-Entry Only Issuance--The Depository Trust Company" below.
 
SPECIAL EVENT REDEMPTION OR DISTRIBUTION
 
  A "Tax Event" means that the Regular Trustees shall have received an opinion
from independent tax counsel experienced in such matters (a "Dissolution Tax
Opinion") to the effect that, on or after the date of this Prospectus
Supplement, as a result of (a) any amendment to, or change (including any
announced prospective change) in, the laws (or any regulations thereunder) of
the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or
therein or (b) any amendment to, or change in, an interpretation or
application of such laws or regulations by any legislative body, court,
governmental agency or regulatory authority, in each case which amendment or
change is enacted, promulgated, issued or announced or which interpretation is
issued or announced or which action is taken, on or after the date of this
Prospectus Supplement, there is more than an insubstantial risk that (i) the
Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date thereof, subject to United
States federal income tax with respect to interest accrued or received on the
Subordinated Debt Securities, (ii) interest payable to the Trust on the
Subordinated Debt Securities is not, or will not be within 90 days of the date
thereof, deductible in whole or in part by the Company for United States
federal income tax purposes or (iii) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days
of the date thereof, subject to more than a de minimis amount of other taxes,
duties or other governmental charges, which change or amendment becomes
effective on or after the date of this Prospectus Supplement.
 
  An "Investment Company Event" means that the Regular Trustees shall have
received an opinion from independent counsel experienced in practice under the
1940 Act (as hereinafter defined) to the effect that, as a result of the
occurrence of a change in law or regulation or a written change in
interpretation or application of law or regulation by any legislative body,
court, governmental agency or regulatory authority (a "Change in 1940 Act
Law"), there is more than an insubstantial risk that the Trust is or will be
considered an "investment company" which is required to be registered under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), which Change
in 1940 Act Law becomes effective on or after the date of this Prospectus
Supplement.
 
  If, at any time, a Tax Event or an Investment Company Event (each, as
defined above, a "Special Event") shall occur and be continuing, the Trust
shall, except in the circumstances described below, be terminated and
dissolved with the result that Subordinated Debt Securities, with an aggregate
principal amount equal to the aggregate stated liquidation amount of, with an
interest rate identical to the distribution rate of, and accrued and unpaid
interest equal to accrued and unpaid distributions on, the Trust Securities,
would be distributed to the holders of the Trust Securities, in liquidation of
such holders' interests in the Trust on a pro rata basis, within 90
 
                                     S-17
<PAGE>
 
days following the occurrence of such Special Event; provided, however, that
in the case of the occurrence of a Tax Event, as a condition of such
termination, dissolution and distribution, the Regular Trustees shall have
received an opinion from independent tax counsel experienced in such matters
(a "No Recognition Opinion"), which opinion may rely on published revenue
rulings of the Internal Revenue Service, to the effect that neither the Trust
nor the holders of the Trust Securities will recognize any gain or loss for
United States federal income tax purposes as a result of such termination and
dissolution of the Trust and the distribution of the Subordinated Debt
Securities; and, provided, further, that, if there is available to the Trust
the opportunity to eliminate, within such 90-day period, the Special Event by
taking some ministerial action, such as filing a form or making an election,
or pursuing some other similar reasonable measure, which has no adverse effect
on the Trust, the Company or the holders of the Trust Securities, the Trust
will pursue such measure in lieu of termination and dissolution. Furthermore,
if in the case of the occurrence of a Tax Event (i) the Company has received
an opinion (a "Redemption Tax Opinion") from independent tax counsel
experienced in such matters that, as a result of a Tax Event, there is more
than an insubstantial risk that the Company would be precluded from deducting
the interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities for United States federal
income tax purposes even after the Subordinated Debt Securities were
distributed to the holders of Trust Securities in liquidation of such holders'
interests in the Trust as described above or (ii) the Regular Trustees shall
have been informed by such tax counsel that a No Recognition Opinion cannot be
delivered, the Company shall have the right, upon not less than 30 nor more
than 60 days' notice, to redeem the Subordinated Debt Securities in whole or
in part for cash within 90 days following the occurrence of such Tax Event,
and, following such redemption, Trust Securities with an aggregate liquidation
amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated Debt
Securities so redeemed shall be redeemed by the Trust at the Redemption Price
on a pro rata basis; provided, however, that, if there is available to the
Company or the Trust the opportunity to eliminate, within such 90-day period,
the Tax Event by taking some ministerial action, such as filing a form or
making an election, or pursuing some other similar reasonable measure which
has no adverse effect on the Trust, the Company or the holders of the Trust
Securities, the Company or the Trust will pursue such measure in lieu of
redemption.
 
  If Subordinated Debt Securities are distributed to the holders of the
Preferred Securities, the Company will use its best efforts to have the
Subordinated Debt Securities listed on the New York Stock Exchange or on such
other exchange as the Preferred Securities are then listed.
 
  After the date for any distribution of Subordinated Debt Securities upon
termination of the Trust, (i) the Preferred Securities and Preferred
Securities Guarantee will no longer be deemed to be outstanding, (ii) the
depositary or its nominee, as the record holder of the Preferred Securities,
will receive a registered global certificate or certificates representing the
Subordinated Debt Securities to be delivered upon such distribution and (iii)
any certificates representing Preferred Securities and the Preferred
Securities Guarantee not held by the depositary or its nominee will be deemed
to represent Subordinated Debt Securities having an aggregate principal amount
equal to the aggregate stated liquidation amount of, with an interest rate
identical to the distribution rate of, and accrued and unpaid interest equal
to accrued and unpaid distributions on, such Preferred Securities, until such
certificates are presented to the Company or its agent for transfer or
reissuance.
 
  There can be no assurance as to the market prices for the Preferred
Securities or the Subordinated Debt Securities that may be distributed in
exchange for the Preferred Securities if a termination and liquidation of the
Trust were to occur. Accordingly, the Preferred Securities that an investor
may purchase, whether pursuant to the offer hereby or in the secondary market,
or the Subordinated Debt Securities that the investor may receive on
termination and liquidation of the Trust, may trade at a discount to the price
that the investor paid to purchase the Preferred Securities offered hereby.
 
  On December 7, 1995, the U.S. Treasury Department proposed a series of tax
law changes that would, among other things, prevent companies from deducting
interest on debt instruments with a maturity of more than 40 years and on
instruments with a maximum term of more than 20 years which are not shown as
indebtedness on the consolidated balance sheet of the issuer. Either of these
proposals, if enacted, would prevent the Company from deducting interest paid
on the Subordinated Debt Securities. The Company cannot predict whether the
proposed tax law changes will become law. However, the Chairmen of the House
Ways and Means and Senate
 
                                     S-18
<PAGE>
 
Finance Committees issued a joint statement on March 29, 1996 stating that the
effective date of these proposals, if enacted, would be no earlier than the
date of appropriate Congressional action. In addition, subsequent to the
publication of such joint statement, Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan and
Representatives Sam M. Gibbons and Charles B. Rangel wrote letters to Treasury
Department officials concurring with the view expressed in such joint
statement. If legislation is enacted limiting, in whole or in part, the
deductibility by the Company of interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities
for United States federal income tax purposes, such enactment would be a Tax
Event and the Subordinated Debt Securities would be subject to redemption as
described above. Were the Subordinated Debt Securities redeemed in connection
with such a Tax Event, the Trust would be required to redeem the Trust
Securities. The December 7, 1995 proposed tax law changes would not alter the
United States federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and
disposition of the Preferred Securities. See "Certain Federal Income Tax
Consequences."
 
REDEMPTION PROCEDURES
 
  The Trust may not redeem fewer than all of the outstanding Preferred
Securities unless all accrued and unpaid distributions have been paid on all
Trust Securities for all quarterly distribution periods terminating on or
prior to the date of redemption.
 
  If the Trust gives a notice of redemption in respect of Preferred Securities
(which notice will be irrevocable), then, by 12:00 noon, New York City time,
on the redemption date, provided that the Company has paid to the Property
Trustee a sufficient amount of cash in connection with the related redemption
or maturity of the Subordinated Debt Securities, the Trust will irrevocably
deposit with the depositary funds sufficient to pay the applicable Redemption
Price and will give the depositary irrevocable instructions and authority to
pay the Redemption Price to the holders of the Preferred Securities. See 
"--Book-Entry Only Issuance--The Depository Trust Company." If notice of
redemption shall have been given and funds deposited as required, then
immediately prior to the close of business on the date of such deposit,
distributions will cease to accrue and all rights of holders of such Preferred
Securities so called for redemption will cease, except the right of the
holders of such Preferred Securities to receive the Redemption Price, but
without interest on such Redemption Price. In the event that any date fixed
for redemption of Preferred Securities is not a Business Day, then payment of
the Redemption Price payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding
day which is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in
respect of any such delay), except that, if such Business Day falls in the
next calendar year, such payment will be made on the immediately preceding
Business Day. In the event that payment of the Redemption Price in respect of
Preferred Securities is improperly withheld or refused and not paid either by
the Trust or by the Company pursuant to the Preferred Securities Guarantee,
distributions on such Preferred Securities will continue to accrue, from the
original redemption date to the actual date of payment, in which case the
actual payment date will be considered the date fixed for redemption for
purposes of calculating the Redemption Price.
 
  In the event that fewer than all of the outstanding Preferred Securities are
to be redeemed, the Preferred Securities will be redeemed pro rata as
described under "--Book-Entry Only Issuance--The Depository Trust Company"
below.
 
  Subject to the foregoing and to applicable law (including, without
limitation, United States federal securities laws), the Company or its
affiliates may, at any time and from time to time, purchase outstanding
Preferred Securities by tender, in the open market or by private agreement.
 
LIQUIDATION DISTRIBUTION UPON TERMINATION
 
  In the event of any voluntary or involuntary termination, dissolution or
winding-up of the Trust, the holders of the Preferred Securities at that time
will be entitled to receive out of the assets of the Trust, after satisfaction
of liabilities to creditors, distributions in an amount equal to the aggregate
of the stated liquidation amount of $25 per Preferred Security plus accrued
and unpaid distributions thereon to the date of payment (the "Liquidation
Distribution"), unless, in connection with such termination, dissolution or
winding-up
 
                                     S-19
<PAGE>
 
Subordinated Debt Securities in an aggregate principal amount equal to the
aggregate stated liquidation amount of, with an interest rate identical to the
distribution rate of, and accrued and unpaid interest equal to accrued and
unpaid distributions on, the Preferred Securities, have been distributed on a
pro rata basis to the holders of Preferred Securities in exchange for such
Preferred Securities.
 
  If, upon any such termination, dissolution or winding-up the Liquidation
Distribution can be paid only in part because the Trust has insufficient
assets available to pay in full the aggregate Liquidation Distribution, then
the amounts payable directly by the Trust on the Preferred Securities shall be
paid on a pro rata basis. The holders of the Common Securities will be
entitled to receive distributions upon any such dissolution pro rata with the
holders of the Preferred Securities, except that if a Declaration Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing, the Preferred Securities shall have a
preference over the Common Securities with regard to such distributions.
 
  Pursuant to the Declaration, the Trust shall terminate (i) on           ,
20  , the expiration of the term of the Trust, (ii) upon the bankruptcy of the
Company or the holder of the Common Securities, (iii) upon the filing of a
certificate of dissolution or its equivalent with respect to the Company or
the holder of the Common Securities, the filing of a certificate of
cancellation with respect to the Trust, or the revocation of the charter of
the Company or the holder of the Common Securities and the expiration of 90
days after the date of revocation without a reinstatement thereof, (iv) upon
the distribution of the Subordinated Debt Securities following the occurrence
of a Special Event, (v) upon the entry of a decree of a judicial dissolution
of the Company or the holder of the Common Securities or the Trust or (vi)
upon the redemption of all of the Trust Securities.
 
DECLARATION EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
  An event of default under the Indenture (an "Indenture Event of Default")
(see "Description of the Subordinated Debt Securities--Indenture Events of
Default") constitutes an event of default under the Declaration with respect
to the Trust Securities (a "Declaration Event of Default"); provided, that
pursuant to the Declaration, the holder of the Common Securities will be
deemed to have waived any Declaration Event of Default with respect to the
Common Securities or its consequences until all Declaration Events of Default
with respect to the Preferred Securities have been cured, waived or otherwise
eliminated. Until such Declaration Events of Default with respect to the
Preferred Securities have been so cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, the
Property Trustee will be deemed to be acting solely on behalf of the holders
of the Preferred Securities and only the holders of the Preferred Securities
will have the right to direct the Property Trustee with respect to certain
matters under the Declaration, and therefore the Indenture.
 
  Upon the occurrence of a Declaration Event of Default, the Property Trustee,
as the sole holder of the Subordinated Debt Securities, will have the right
under the Indenture to declare the principal of, and interest on, the
Subordinated Debt Securities to be immediately due and payable.
 
  If a Declaration Event of Default occurs that results from the failure of
the Company to pay principal of or interest on the Subordinated Debt
Securities when due, during the continuance of such an event of default a
holder of Preferred Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly
against the Company to obtain payment of such principal or interest on
Subordinated Debt Securities having a principal amount equal to the aggregate
liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities owned of record by such holder.
The holders of Preferred Securities will not be able to exercise directly
against the Company any other remedy available to the Property Trustee unless
the Property Trustee first fails to do so. See "--Voting Rights."
 
VOTING RIGHTS
 
  Except as provided below and except as provided under the Trust Act, the
Trust Indenture Act and under "Description of the Preferred Securities
Guarantee--Amendments and Assignment" below, and except as otherwise required
by law and the Declaration, the holders of the Preferred Securities will have
no voting rights. In the event that the Company elects to defer payments of
interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities as
 
                                     S-20
<PAGE>
 
described above under "--Distributions," the holders of the Preferred
Securities do not have the right to appoint a special representative or
trustee or otherwise act to protect their interests.
 
  Subject to the requirement of the Property Trustee obtaining a tax opinion
as set forth in the last sentence of this paragraph, the holders of a majority
in aggregate liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities have the right to
direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy
available to the Property Trustee, or to direct the exercise of any trust or
power conferred upon the Property Trustee under the Declaration, including the
right to direct the Property Trustee, as the holder of the Subordinated Debt
Securities, to (i) direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Debt Trustee (as hereinafter
defined) under the Indenture with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities,
(ii) waive any past Indenture Event of Default which is waivable under the
Indenture, (iii) exercise any right to rescind or annul a declaration that the
principal of all the Subordinated Debt Securities shall be due and payable, or
(iv) consent to any amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture or
the Subordinated Debt Securities, where such consent shall be required,
provided that where a consent under the Indenture would require the consent of
the holders of greater than a majority in principal amount of Subordinated
Debt Securities affected thereby (a "Super-Majority"), only the holders of at
least the proportion in liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities which
the relevant Super-Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of
the Subordinated Debt Securities may direct the Property Trustee to give such
consent. If the Property Trustee fails to enforce its rights under the
Declaration (including, without limitation, its rights, powers and privileges
as the holder of the Subordinated Debt Securities under the Indenture), a
holder of Preferred Securities may to the extent permitted by applicable law
institute a legal proceeding directly against any person to enforce the
Property Trustee's rights under the Declaration without first instituting any
legal proceeding against the Property Trustee or any other person or entity.
Following and during the continuance of a Declaration Event of Default that
results from the failure of the Company to pay principal of or interest on the
Subordinated Debt Securities when due, a holder may also proceed directly
against the Company, without first waiting to determine if the Property
Trustee has enforced its rights under the Declaration, to obtain payment of
such principal or interest on Subordinated Debt Securities having a principal
amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities
owned of record by such holder. The Property Trustee shall notify all holders
of the Preferred Securities of any notice of default received from the Debt
Trustee with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities. Such notice shall
state that such Indenture Event of Default also constitutes a Declaration
Event of Default. The Property Trustee shall not take any action described in
clauses (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above unless the Property Trustee has
obtained an opinion of independent tax counsel to the effect that, as a result
of such action, the Trust will not be classified as other than a grantor trust
for United States federal income tax purposes and each holder of Trust
Securities will be treated as owning an undivided beneficial interest in the
Subordinated Debt Securities.
 
  In the event the consent of the Property Trustee, as the holder of the
Subordinated Debt Securities, is required under the Indenture with respect to
any amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture, the Property
Trustee shall request the direction of the holders of the Trust Securities
with respect to such amendment, modification or termination. The Property
Trustee shall vote with respect to such amendment, modification or termination
as directed by a majority in liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities
and, if no Declaration Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, a
majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities, voting together as a
single class, provided that where a consent under the Indenture would require
the consent of a Super-Majority, the Property Trustee may only give such
consent at the direction of the holders of at least the proportion in
liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities and Common Securities,
respectively, which the relevant Super-Majority represents of the aggregate
principal amount of the Subordinated Debt Securities outstanding. The Property
Trustee shall not take any such action in accordance with the directions of
the holders of the Trust Securities unless the Property Trustee has obtained
an opinion of independent tax counsel to the effect that, as a result of such
action, the Trust will not be classified as other than a grantor trust for
United States federal income tax purposes.
 
  A waiver of an Indenture Event of Default will constitute a waiver of the
corresponding Declaration Event of Default.
 
                                     S-21
<PAGE>
 
  Any required approval or direction of holders of Preferred Securities may be
given at a separate meeting of holders of Preferred Securities convened for
such purpose, at a meeting of all of the holders of Trust Securities or
pursuant to written consent. The Regular Trustees will cause a notice of any
meeting at which holders of Preferred Securities are entitled to vote, or of
any matter upon which action by written consent of such holders is to be
taken, to be mailed to each holder of record of Preferred Securities. Each
such notice will include a statement setting forth (i) the date of such
meeting or the date by which such action is to be taken, (ii) a description of
any resolution proposed for adoption at such meeting on which such holders are
entitled to vote or of such matter upon which written consent is sought and
(iii) instructions for the delivery of proxies or consents. No vote or consent
of the holders of Preferred Securities will be required for the Trust to
redeem and cancel Preferred Securities or distribute Subordinated Debt
Securities in accordance with the Declaration.
 
  Notwithstanding that holders of Preferred Securities are entitled to vote or
consent under any of the circumstances described above, any of the Preferred
Securities that are owned at such time by the Company or any entity directly
or indirectly controlling or controlled by, or under direct or indirect common
control with, the Company, shall not be entitled to vote or consent and shall,
for purposes of such vote or consent, be treated as if they were not
outstanding.
 
  The procedures by which holders of Preferred Securities may exercise their
voting rights are described below. See "--Book-Entry Only Issuance--The
Depository Trust Company."
 
  Holders of the Preferred Securities will have no rights to appoint or remove
the Company Trustees, who may be appointed, removed or replaced solely by the
Company, as the direct or indirect holder of all the Common Securities.
 
MODIFICATION OF THE DECLARATION
 
  The Declaration may be amended or modified if approved and executed by a
majority of the Regular Trustees, provided that if any proposed amendment
provides for, or the Regular Trustees otherwise propose to effect, (i) any
action that would adversely affect the powers, preferences or special rights
of the Trust Securities, whether by way of amendment to the Declaration or
otherwise or (ii) the dissolution, winding-up or termination of the Trust
other than pursuant to the terms of the Declaration, then the holders of the
Trust Securities as a single class will be entitled to vote on such amendment
or proposal and such amendment or proposal shall not be effective except with
the approval of a majority in liquidation amount of the Trust Securities
affected thereby, provided that a reduction of the principal amount or the
distribution rate, or a change in the payment dates or maturity of the
Preferred Securities, shall not be permitted without the consent of each
holder of Preferred Securities. In the event any amendment or proposal
referred to in clause (i) above would adversely affect only the Preferred
Securities or the Common Securities, then only the affected class will be
entitled to vote on such amendment or proposal and such amendment or proposal
shall not be effective except with the approval of a majority in liquidation
amount of such class of Trust Securities.
 
  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment or modification may be made to
the Declaration if such amendment or modification would (i) cause the Trust to
be classified for purposes of United States federal income taxation as other
than a grantor trust, (ii) reduce or otherwise adversely affect the powers of
the Property Trustee or (iii) cause the Trust to be deemed to be an
"investment company" which is required to be registered under the 1940 Act.
 
EXPENSES AND TAXES
 
  In the Declaration, the Company has agreed to pay for all debts and other
obligations (other than with respect to the Trust Securities) and all costs
and expenses of the Trust (including costs and expenses relating to the
organization of the Trust, the fees and expenses of the Company Trustees and
the costs and expenses relating to the operation of the Trust) and to pay any
and all taxes and all costs and expenses with respect thereto (other than
United States withholding taxes) to which the Trust might become subject. The
foregoing obligations of the
 
                                     S-22
<PAGE>
 
Trust under the Declaration are for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable
by, the Property Trustee and any person to whom any such debts, obligations,
costs, expenses and taxes are owed (a "Creditor") whether or not such Creditor
has received notice thereof. The Property Trustee and any such Creditor may
enforce such obligations of the Trust directly against the Company, and the
Company has irrevocably waived any right or remedy to require that the
Property Trustee or any such Creditor take any action against the Trust or any
other person before proceeding against the Company. The Company has also
agreed in the Declaration to execute such additional agreements as may be
necessary or desirable to give full effect to the foregoing agreement of the
Company.
 
MERGERS, CONSOLIDATIONS OR AMALGAMATIONS
 
  The Trust may not consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be
replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets
substantially as an entirety to any corporation or other body, except as
described below. The Trust may, with the consent of a majority of the Regular
Trustees and without the consent of the holders of the Trust Securities,
consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by a trust
organized as such under the laws of any State; provided, that (i) such
successor entity either (x) expressly assumes all of the obligations of the
Trust with respect to the Trust Securities or (y) substitutes for the Trust
Securities other securities having substantially the same terms as the Trust
Securities (the "Successor Securities") so long as the Successor Securities
rank the same as the Trust Securities rank in priority with respect to
distributions and payments upon termination, liquidation, redemption, maturity
and otherwise, (ii) the Company expressly acknowledges a trustee of such
successor entity which possesses the same powers and duties as the Property
Trustee as the holder of the Subordinated Debt Securities, (iii) the Preferred
Securities or any Successor Securities are listed, or any Successor Securities
will be listed upon notification of issuance, on any national securities
exchange or other organization on which the Preferred Securities are then
listed, (iv) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement does not
cause the Preferred Securities (including any Successor Securities) to be
downgraded by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization, (v)
such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement does not adversely
affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of the Trust
Securities (including any Successor Securities) in any material respect (other
than with respect to any dilution of the holders' interest in the new entity),
(vi) such successor entity has a purpose identical to that of the Trust, (vii)
prior to such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement, the Company
has received an opinion from independent counsel to the Trust experienced in
such matters to the effect that (A) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation
or replacement does not adversely affect the rights, preferences and
privileges of the holders of the Trust Securities (including any Successor
Securities) in any material respect (other than with respect to any dilution
of the holders' interest in the new entity), and (B) following such merger,
consolidation, amalgamation or replacement, neither the Trust nor such
successor entity will be required to register as an investment company under
the 1940 Act and (viii) the Company guarantees the obligations of such
successor entity under the Successor Securities at least to the extent
provided by the Preferred Securities Guarantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the Trust shall not, except with the consent of holders of 100% in liquidation
amount of the Trust Securities, consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into,
or be replaced by any other entity or permit any other entity to consolidate,
amalgamate, merge with or into, or replace it if such consolidation,
amalgamation, merger or replacement would cause the Trust or the successor
entity to be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as other
than a grantor trust and any holder of Trust Securities not to be treated as
owning an undivided beneficial interest in the Subordinated Debt Securities.
 
BOOK-ENTRY ONLY ISSUANCE--THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY
 
  The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") will act as securities depositary for
the Preferred Securities. The Preferred Securities will be issued only as
fully registered securities registered in the name of Cede & Co. (DTC's
nominee). One or more fully registered global Preferred Securities
certificates will be issued, representing in the aggregate the total number of
Preferred Securities, and will be deposited with DTC.
 
  The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of securities
take physical delivery of securities in definitive form. Such laws may impair
the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global Preferred Security.
 
                                     S-23
<PAGE>
 
  DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking
Law, a "banking organization" within the meaning of the New York Banking Law,
a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the
meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a "clearing agency"
registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). DTC holds securities
that its participants ("Participants") deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates
the settlement among Participants of securities transactions, such as
transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized
book-entry changes in Participants' accounts, thereby eliminating the need for
physical movement of securities certificates. Direct Participants include
securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations
and certain other organizations ("Direct Participants"). DTC is owned by a
number of its Direct Participants and by the New York Stock Exchange, the
American Stock Exchange, Inc., and the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as
securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that clear through
or maintain a custodial relationship with a Direct Participant, either
directly or indirectly ("Indirect Participants"). The rules applicable to DTC
and its Participants are on file with the Commission.
 
  Purchases of Preferred Securities within the DTC system must be made by or
through Direct Participants, which will receive a credit for the Preferred
Securities on DTC's records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser
of Preferred Securities ("Beneficial Owner") is in turn to be recorded on the
Direct and Indirect Participants' records. Beneficial Owners will not receive
written confirmation from DTC of their purchases, but Beneficial Owners are
expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the
transactions, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the
Direct or Indirect Participants through which the Beneficial Owners purchased
Preferred Securities. Transfers of ownership interests in the Preferred
Securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of Participants
acting on behalf of Beneficial Owners. Beneficial Owners will not receive
certificates representing their ownership interests in Preferred Securities,
except in the event that use of the book-entry system for the Preferred
Securities is discontinued.
 
  To facilitate subsequent transfers, all the Preferred Securities deposited
by Participants with DTC are registered in the name of DTC's nominee, Cede &
Co. The deposit of Preferred Securities with DTC and their registration in the
name of Cede & Co. effect no change in beneficial ownership. DTC has no
knowledge of the actual Beneficial Owners of the Preferred Securities. DTC's
records reflect only the identity of the Direct Participants to whose accounts
such Preferred Securities are credited, which may or may not be the Beneficial
Owners. The Participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their
holdings on behalf of their customers.
 
  Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to Direct
Participants, by Direct Participants to Indirect Participants, and by Direct
Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed
by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory
requirements as may be in effect from time to time.
 
  Redemption notices shall be sent to Cede & Co. If less than all of the
Preferred Securities are being redeemed, DTC will reduce pro rata the amount
of the interest of each Direct Participant in the Preferred Securities to be
redeemed; provided, that if, as a result of such pro rata redemption, Direct
Participants would hold fractional interests in the Preferred Securities, DTC
will adjust the amount of the interest of each Direct Participant to be
redeemed to avoid such fractional interests.
 
  Although voting with respect to the Preferred Securities is limited, in
those cases where a vote is required neither DTC nor Cede & Co. will itself
consent or vote with respect to Preferred Securities. Under its usual
procedures, DTC would mail an Omnibus Proxy to the Trust as soon as possible
after the record date. The Omnibus Proxy assigns Cede & Co.'s consenting or
voting rights to those Direct Participants to whose accounts the Preferred
Securities are credited on the record date (identified in a listing attached
to the Omnibus Proxy).
 
  Distribution payments on the Preferred Securities will be made to DTC. DTC's
practice is to credit Direct Participants' accounts on the relevant payment
date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC's
 
                                     S-24
<PAGE>
 
records unless DTC has reason to believe that it will not receive payments on
such payment date. Payments by participants to Beneficial Owners will be
governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as in the case with
securities held for the account of customers in bearer form or registered in
"street name," and will be the responsibility of such Participant and not of
DTC, the Trust, any trustee or the Company, subject to any statutory or
regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of
distributions to DTC is the responsibility of the Trust, disbursement of such
payments to Direct Participants is the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement
of such payments to the Beneficial Owners is the responsibility of Direct and
Indirect Participants.
 
  Except as provided herein, a Beneficial Owner in a global Preferred Security
will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Preferred Securities.
Accordingly, each Beneficial Owner must rely on the procedures of DTC to
exercise any rights under the Preferred Securities.
 
  DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depositary with
respect to the Preferred Securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to
the Trust. Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor securities
depositary is not obtained, Preferred Securities certificates are required to
be printed and delivered. Additionally, the Regular Trustees (after
consultation with the Company) may decide to discontinue use of the system of
book-entry transfers through DTC (or a successor depositary) with respect to
the Preferred Securities. In that event, certificates for the Preferred
Securities will be printed and delivered.
 
  The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC's book-entry system
has been obtained from sources that the Company and the Trust believe to be
reliable, but the Company and the Trust take no responsibility for the
accuracy thereof.
 
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE PROPERTY TRUSTEE
 
  The Property Trustee, prior to the occurrence of a default with respect to
the Trust Securities and after the curing of all such defaults that may have
occurred, undertakes to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth
in the Declaration and, after default, shall exercise the same degree of care
as a prudent individual would exercise in the conduct of his or her own
affairs. Subject to such provisions, the Property Trustee is under no
obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the Declaration at
the request of any holder of Preferred Securities, unless offered reasonable
indemnity by such holder against the costs, expenses and liabilities which
might be incurred thereby; but the foregoing shall not relieve the Property
Trustee, upon the occurrence of a Declaration Event of Default, from
exercising the rights and powers vested in it by the Declaration. The Property
Trustee also serves as the Debt Trustee under the Indenture and as the
Preferred Guarantee Trustee under the Preferred Securities Guarantee.
 
REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT
 
  In the event that the Preferred Securities do not remain in book-entry only
form, the Property Trustee will act as paying agent and may designate an
additional or substitute paying agent at any time. Registration of transfers
of Preferred Securities will be effected without charge by or on behalf of the
Trust, but upon payment (with the giving of such indemnity as the Regular
Trustees may require) in respect of any tax or other government charges which
may be imposed in relation to it. The Trust will not be required to register
or cause to be registered the transfer of Preferred Securities after such
Preferred Securities have been called for redemption.
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
  The Declaration and the Preferred Securities will be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of Delaware.
 
 
                                     S-25
<PAGE>
 
MISCELLANEOUS
 
  The Regular Trustees are authorized and directed to operate the Trust in
such a way so that the Trust will not be deemed to be an "investment company"
required to be registered under the 1940 Act or characterized for United
States federal income tax purposes as other than a grantor trust. The Company
is authorized and directed to conduct its affairs so that the Subordinated
Debt Securities will be treated as indebtedness of the Company for United
States federal income tax purposes. In this connection, the Regular Trustees
and the Company are authorized to take any action, not inconsistent with
applicable law, the Declaration or the Restated Certificate of Incorporation
of the Company, that each of the Regular Trustees and the Company determines
in their discretion to be necessary or desirable for such purposes, as long as
such action does not materially and adversely affect the interests of the
holders of the Preferred Securities.
 
  Holders of the Preferred Securities will have no preemptive rights.
 
               DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE
 
  Set forth below is a summary of information concerning the Preferred
Securities Guarantee that will be executed and delivered by the Company for
the benefit of the holders from time to time of the Preferred Securities. The
Preferred Securities Guarantee will be qualified as an indenture under the
Trust Indenture Act. The Bank of New York will act as the Preferred Guarantee
Trustee. The terms of the Preferred Securities Guarantee will be those set
forth therein and those made part thereof by the Trust Indenture Act. The
following summary does not purport to be complete and is subject in all
respects to the provisions of, and is qualified in its entirety by reference
to, the Preferred Securities Guarantee (which is filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus Supplement and the
accompanying Prospectus form a part) and the Trust Indenture Act. The
Preferred Securities will be held by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee for the
benefit of the holders of the Preferred Securities.
 
GENERAL
 
  Pursuant to the Preferred Securities Guarantee, the Company will irrevocably
and unconditionally agree, to the extent set forth therein, to pay in full to
the holders of the Preferred Securities the Guarantee Payments (as defined
herein) (without duplication of amounts theretofore paid by the Trust), to the
extent not paid by the Trust, regardless of any defense, right of set-off or
counterclaim that the Trust may have or assert. The following payments or
distributions with respect to the Preferred Securities to the extent not paid
or made by the Trust (the "Guarantee Payments") will be subject to the
Preferred Securities Guarantee (without duplication): (i) any accrued and
unpaid distributions that are required to be paid on the Preferred Securities,
to the extent the Trust has funds available therefor, (ii) the Redemption
Price, which includes all accrued and unpaid distributions to the date of the
redemption, to the extent the Trust has funds available therefor, with respect
to any Preferred Securities called for redemption by the Trust and (iii) upon
a voluntary or involuntary termination, dissolution or winding-up of the Trust
(other than in connection with the distribution of Subordinated Debt
Securities to the holders of Preferred Securities in exchange for Preferred
Securities), the lesser of (a) the aggregate of the liquidation amount and all
accrued and unpaid distributions on the Preferred Securities to the date of
payment, to the extent the Trust has funds available therefor, and (b) the
amount of assets of the Trust remaining available for distribution to holders
of Preferred Securities in liquidation of the Trust. The Company's obligation
to make a Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct payment of the required
amounts by the Company to the holders of Preferred Securities or by causing
the Trust to pay such amounts to such holders.
 
  The Preferred Securities Guarantee will be a full and unconditional
guarantee of the Guarantee Payments with respect to the Preferred Securities
from the time of issuance of the Preferred Securities, but will not apply to
the payment of distributions and other payments on the Preferred Securities
when the Property Trustee does not have sufficient funds in the Property
Account to make such distributions or other payments. If the Company does not
make interest payments on the Subordinated Debt Securities held by the
Property Trustee, the Trust will not make distributions on the Preferred
Securities issued by the Trust and will not have funds available
 
                                     S-26
<PAGE>
 
therefor. See "Risk Factors--Rights under the Preferred Securities Guarantee"
and "Description of the Subordinated Debt Securities--Certain Covenants."
 
  The Company has also agreed separately to guarantee the obligations of the
Trust with respect to the Common Securities (the "Common Securities
Guarantee") to the same extent as the Preferred Securities Guarantee, except
that upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Indenture Event of
Default, holders of Preferred Securities shall have priority over holders of
Common Securities with respect to distributions and payments on liquidation,
redemption or otherwise.
 
CERTAIN COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
 
  In the Preferred Securities Guarantee, the Company will covenant that, so
long as the Preferred Securities remain outstanding, if there shall have
occurred and is continuing any event that would constitute an event of default
under the Preferred Securities Guarantee or the Declaration, then (a) the
Company shall not declare or pay any dividend on, or make any distribution
with respect to, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment
with respect to, any of its capital stock, (b) the Company shall not make any
payment of interest, principal or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or
redeem any debt securities issued by the Company which rank pari passu with or
junior to the Subordinated Debt Securities and (c) the Company shall not make
any guarantee payments (other than pursuant to the Preferred Securities
Guarantee) with respect to the foregoing. However, the foregoing restriction
will not apply to any dividend, redemption, liquidation, interest, principal
or guarantee payments by the Company where the payment is made by way of (i)
securities (including capital stock) that rank junior to the securities on
which such dividend, redemption, interest, principal or guarantee payment is
being made or (ii) securities (including capital stock) of TCI.
 
AMENDMENTS AND ASSIGNMENT
 
  Except with respect to any changes which do not materially adversely affect
the rights of holders of Preferred Securities (in which case no vote will be
required), the Preferred Securities Guarantee may be amended only with the
prior approval of the holders of not less than a majority in liquidation
amount of the outstanding Preferred Securities. The manner of obtaining any
such approval of holders of the Preferred Securities is set forth under
"Description of the Preferred Securities--Voting Rights." All guarantees and
agreements contained in the Preferred Securities Guarantee shall bind the
successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and representatives of the Company
and shall inure to the benefit of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee and the
holders of the Preferred Securities then outstanding.
 
TERMINATION OF THE PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE
 
  The Preferred Securities Guarantee will terminate and be of no further force
and effect as to the Preferred Securities upon full payment of the Redemption
Price of all Preferred Securities, or upon distribution of the Subordinated
Debt Securities to the holders of the Preferred Securities, and will terminate
completely upon full payment of the amounts payable upon liquidation of the
Trust. The Preferred Securities Guarantee will continue to be effective or
will be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any holder of Preferred
Securities must repay to the Trust or the Company, or their successors, any
sums paid to them under such Preferred Securities or the Preferred Securities
Guarantee.
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
  An event of default under the Preferred Securities Guarantee will occur upon
the failure of the Company to perform any of its payment or other obligations
thereunder.
 
  The holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities
have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee in
respect of the Preferred Securities Guarantee or to direct the exercise of any
trust or power conferred upon the
 
                                     S-27
<PAGE>
 
Preferred Guarantee Trustee under the Preferred Securities Guarantee. If the
Preferred Guarantee Trustee fails to enforce the Preferred Securities
Guarantee, any holder of Preferred Securities may institute a legal proceeding
directly against the Company to enforce the Preferred Guarantee Trustee's
rights under the Preferred Securities Guarantee, without first instituting a
legal proceeding against the Trust, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee or any
other person or entity. In addition, any record holder of Preferred Securities
shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to proceed directly
against the Company to obtain Guarantee Payments, without first waiting to
determine if the Preferred Guarantee Trustee has enforced the Preferred
Security Guarantee or instituting a legal proceeding against the Trust, the
Preferred Guarantee Trustee or any other person or entity.
 
STATUS OF THE PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE
 
  The Company's obligations under the Preferred Securities Guarantee to make
the Guarantee Payments will constitute an unsecured obligation of the Company
and will rank (i) subordinate and junior in right of payment to all other
liabilities of the Company, including the Subordinated Debt Securities, except
those liabilities of the Company made pari passu or subordinate by their
terms, (ii) pari passu with the most senior preferred stock issued from time
to time by the Company and with any guarantee now or hereafter entered into by
the Company in respect of any preferred stock of any subsidiary or affiliate
of the Company and (iii) senior to the Company's common stock. The terms of
the Preferred Securities provide that each holder of Preferred Securities by
acceptance thereof agrees to the subordination provisions and other terms of
the Preferred Securities Guarantee.
 
  The Preferred Securities Guarantee will constitute a guarantee of payment
and not of collection (that is, the guaranteed party may institute a legal
proceeding directly against the guarantor to enforce its rights under the
guarantee without instituting a legal proceeding against any other person or
entity). The Preferred Securities Guarantee will be deposited with the
Preferred Guarantee Trustee to be held for the benefit of the holders of the
Preferred Securities. Except as otherwise noted herein, the Preferred
Guarantee Trustee has the right to enforce the Preferred Securities Guarantee
on behalf of the holders of the Preferred Securities. The Preferred Securities
Guarantee will not be discharged except by payment of the Guarantee Payments
in full (without duplication of amounts theretofore paid by the Trust).
 
  The Company's obligations under the Preferred Securities Guarantee, taken
together with its obligations under the Declaration, the Subordinated Debt
Securities and the Indenture, in the aggregate provide a full and
unconditional guarantee by the Company of payments due on the Preferred
Securities.
 
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE PREFERRED GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
 
  The Preferred Guarantee Trustee, prior to the occurrence of a default with
respect to the Preferred Securities Guarantee and after the curing of all such
defaults that may have occurred, undertakes to perform only such duties as are
specifically set forth in the Preferred Securities Guarantee and, after
default, shall exercise the same degree of care as a prudent individual would
exercise in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to such provisions,
the Preferred Guarantee Trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the
powers vested in it by the Preferred Securities Guarantee at the request of
any holder of Preferred Securities, unless offered reasonable indemnity
against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred thereby;
but the foregoing shall not relieve the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, upon the
occurrence of an event of default under the Preferred Securities Guarantee,
from exercising the rights and powers vested in it by the Preferred Securities
Guarantee. The Preferred Guarantee Trustee also serves as Property Trustee
under the Declaration and as Debt Trustee under the Indenture.
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
  The Preferred Securities Guarantee will be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York.
 
 
                                     S-28
<PAGE>
 
                DESCRIPTION OF THE SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
 
  Set forth below is a description of the terms of the Subordinated Debt
Securities. The following description does not purport to be complete and is
subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the Indenture,
dated as of January 29, 1996, as supplemented by a Third Supplemental
Indenture (as so supplemented, the "Indenture"), between the Company and The
Bank of New York, as Trustee (the "Debt Trustee"), the form of which is filed
as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus
Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus form a part. The terms of the
Subordinated Debt Securities will include those stated in the Indenture and
those made a part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act.
Certain capitalized terms used herein are defined in the Indenture.
 
  Under certain circumstances involving the termination of the Trust following
the occurrence of a Special Event, Subordinated Debt Securities may be
distributed to the holders of Trust Securities in liquidation of the Trust.
See "Description of the Preferred Securities--Special Event Redemption or
Distribution."
 
  If the Subordinated Debt Securities are distributed to the holders of the
Trust Securities, the Company will use its best efforts to have the
Subordinated Debt Securities listed on the New York Stock Exchange or on such
other exchange as the Preferred Securities are then listed.
 
GENERAL
 
  The Subordinated Debt Securities will be issued as unsecured subordinated
debt securities under the Indenture. The Subordinated Debt Securities will be
limited in aggregate principal amount to approximately $    million, such
amount being the sum of the aggregate stated liquidation amount of the
Preferred Securities and the capital contributed by the Company in exchange
for the Common Securities.
 
  The Subordinated Debt Securities are not subject to any sinking fund
provision. The entire principal amount of the Subordinated Debt Securities
will mature and become due and payable, together with any accrued and unpaid
interest thereon, including Additional Interest (as defined herein), if any,
on     , 20 .
 
  If Subordinated Debt Securities are distributed to holders of the Preferred
Securities in liquidation of such holders' interests in the Trust, such
Subordinated Debt Securities will initially be issued as a Global Security (as
defined below). As described herein, under certain limited circumstances,
Subordinated Debt Securities may be issued in certificated form in exchange
for a Global Security. See "--Book Entry and Settlement" below. In the event
Subordinated Debt Securities are issued in certificated form, such
Subordinated Debt Securities will be in denominations of $25 and integral
multiples thereof and may be transferred or exchanged at the offices described
below. Payments on Subordinated Debt Securities issued as a Global Security
will be made to the depositary for the Subordinated Debt Securities. In the
event Subordinated Debt Securities are issued in certificated form, principal
and interest will be payable, the transfer of the Subordinated Debt Securities
will be registrable and Subordinated Debt Securities will be exchangeable for
Subordinated Debt Securities of other denominations of a like aggregate
principal amount at the corporate trust office of the Debt Trustee in New
York, New York; provided, that payment of interest may be made at the option
of the Company by check mailed to the address of the persons entitled thereto.
 
  The Indenture does not contain provisions that afford holders of the
Subordinated Debt Securities protection in the event of a highly leveraged
transaction involving the Company or a decline in the credit quality of the
Company resulting from a change of control transaction.
 
SUBORDINATION
 
  The Indenture provides that the Subordinated Debt Securities are
subordinated and junior in right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness of the
Company, whether now existing or hereafter incurred. No payment of principal
of (including redemption payments, if any), premium, if any, or interest on,
the Subordinated Debt Securities may be made if (a) any Senior Indebtedness of
the Company is not paid when due and any applicable
 
                                     S-29
<PAGE>
 
grace period with respect to such default has ended with such default not
being cured or waived or ceasing to exist, or (b) the maturity of any Senior
Indebtedness has been accelerated because of a default. Upon any distribution
of assets of the Company to creditors upon any dissolution, winding-up,
liquidation or reorganization, whether voluntary or involuntary, or in
bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings, all principal of,
premium, if any, and interest due or to become due on, all Senior Indebtedness
must be paid in full before the holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities
are entitled to receive or retain any payment. The rights of the holders of
the Subordinated Debt Securities will be subrogated to the rights of the
holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive payments or distributions applicable
to such Senior Indebtedness until all amounts owing on the Subordinated Debt
Securities are paid in full.
 
  The term "Senior Indebtedness" means (i) any payment in respect of (a)
indebtedness of the Company for money borrowed (including indebtedness for
money borrowed owed to TCI or to subsidiaries or affiliates of the Company or
TCI) and (b) indebtedness evidenced by securities, debentures, bonds, notes or
other similar instruments issued by the Company, including all indebtedness
currently outstanding under indentures with various trustees, (ii) all capital
lease obligations of the Company; (iii) all obligations of the Company issued
or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property, all conditional sale
obligations of the Company and all obligations of the Company under any title
retention agreement (but excluding trade accounts payable arising in the
ordinary course of business); (iv) all obligations of the Company for the
reimbursement on any letter of credit, banker's acceptance, security purchase
facility or similar credit transaction; (v) all obligations of the type
referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) above of other persons for the payment
of which the Company is responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or
otherwise; and (vi) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i)
through (v) above of other persons secured by any lien on any property or
asset of the Company (whether or not such obligation is assumed by the
Company), except for any such indebtedness that is by its terms subordinated
to or pari passu with the Subordinated Debt Securities, as the case may be.
Such Senior Indebtedness shall continue to be Senior Indebtedness and be
entitled to the benefits of the subordination provisions irrespective of any
amendment, modification or waiver of any term of such Senior Indebtedness.
 
  The Indenture does not limit the aggregate amount of Senior Indebtedness
which may be issued by the Company. As of September 30, 1996, Senior
Indebtedness of the Company aggregated approximately $9,234 million.
 
CERTAIN COVENANTS
 
  If (i) there shall have occurred and be continuing any event that would
constitute an Indenture Event of Default or (ii) the Company shall be in
default with respect to its payment of any obligations under the Preferred
Securities Guarantee or the Common Securities Guarantee, and such default
shall be continuing then (a) the Company shall not declare or pay any dividend
on, make any distributions with respect to, or redeem, purchase or make a
liquidation payment with respect to, any of its capital stock, (b) the Company
shall not make any payment of interest, principal or premium, if any, on or
repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities issued by the Company which
rank pari passu with or junior to the Subordinated Debt Securities and (c) the
Company shall not make any guarantee payments (other than pursuant to the
Preferred Securities Guarantee) with respect to the foregoing.
 
  If the Company shall have given notice of its election of an Extension
Period as provided in the Indenture and such period, or any extension thereof,
shall be continuing, then (a) the Company shall not declare or pay any
dividend on, make any distributions with respect to, or redeem, purchase or
make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of its capital stock, (b) the
Company shall not make any payment of interest, principal or premium, if any,
on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities issued by the Company
which rank pari passu with or junior to the Subordinated Debt Securities and
(c) the Company shall not make any guarantee payments (other than pursuant to
the Preferred Securities Guarantee) with respect to the foregoing.
 
  Notwithstanding the foregoing restrictions, the Company will be permitted,
in any event, to make dividend, redemption, liquidation and guarantee payments
on capital stock, and interest, principal, redemption and
 
                                     S-30
<PAGE>
 
guarantee payments on debt securities issued by the Company ranking pari passu
with or junior to Subordinated Debt Securities, where the payment is made by
way of (i) securities (including capital stock) that rank junior to the
securities on which such payment is being made or (ii) securities (including
capital stock) of TCI.
 
  For so long as the Trust Securities remain outstanding, the Company will
covenant (i) to directly or indirectly maintain 100% direct or indirect
ownership of the Common Securities of the Trust; provided, however, that any
permitted successor of the Company under the Indenture may succeed to the
Company's ownership of such Common Securities, (ii) not to cause, as sponsor
of the Trust, or to permit, as holder of the Common Securities, the
termination, dissolution or winding-up of the Trust, except in connection with
a distribution of the Subordinated Debt Securities as provided in the
Declaration and in connection with certain mergers, consolidations or
amalgamations, (iii) to use its reasonable efforts to cause the Trust (a) to
remain a statutory business trust, except in connection with the distribution
of Subordinated Debt Securities to the holders of Trust Securities in
liquidation of the Trust, the redemption of all of the Trust Securities of the
Trust, or certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations, each as permitted
by the Declaration, and (b) to otherwise continue to be classified as a
grantor trust for United States federal income purposes and (iv) to use
reasonable efforts to cause each holder of Trust Securities to be treated as
owning an undivided beneficial interest in the Subordinated Debt Securities.
 
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
 
  The Company shall have the right to redeem the Subordinated Debt Securities,
in whole or in part, from time to time, on or after     , 200 , or at any time
in certain circumstances upon the occurrence of a Tax Event as described under
"Description of the Preferred Securities--Special Event Redemption or
Distribution," upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice, at a
redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount to be redeemed plus any
accrued and unpaid interest, including Additional Interest, if any, to the
redemption date. If a partial redemption of the Preferred Securities resulting
from a partial redemption of the Subordinated Debt Securities would result in
the delisting of the Preferred Securities, the Company may only redeem the
Subordinated Debt Securities in whole.
 
INTEREST
 
  Each Subordinated Debt Security shall bear interest at the rate of  % per
annum from     , 199 , payable quarterly in arrears on March 31, June 30,
September 30 and December 31 of each year (each, an "Interest Payment Date"),
commencing     , 199 , to the person in whose name such Subordinated Debt
Security is registered, subject to certain exceptions, at the close of
business on the Business Day next preceding such Interest Payment Date. In the
event the Subordinated Debt Securities are distributed to holders of the
Preferred Securities in liquidation of such holders' interests in the Trust
and such Subordinated Debt Securities shall not thereafter continue to remain
in book-entry only form, the Company shall have the right to select record
dates which shall be not less than fifteen days prior to each Interest Payment
Date.
 
  The amount of interest payable for any period will be computed on the basis
of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The amount of interest payable for
any period shorter than a full quarterly period will be computed on the basis
of the actual number of days elapsed in such 90-day quarter. In the event that
any date on which interest is payable on the Subordinated Debt Securities is
not a Business Day, then payment of the interest payable on such date will be
made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day (and without any
interest or other payment in respect of any such delay), except that, if such
Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar year, such payment shall be
made on the immediately preceding Business Day, in each case with the same
force and effect as if made on such date.
 
OPTION TO EXTEND INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD
 
  The Company shall have the right at any time, and from time to time, during
the term of the Subordinated Debt Securities to defer payments of interest by
extending the interest payment period for a period not exceeding
 
                                     S-31
<PAGE>
 
20 consecutive quarters, at the end of which Extension Period the Company
shall pay all interest then accrued and unpaid (including any Additional
Interest), together with interest thereon at the rate specified for the
Subordinated Debt Securities to the extent permitted by applicable law;
provided, that, during any such Extension Period, (a) the Company shall not
declare or pay any dividend on, make any distributions with respect to, or
redeem, purchase or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of its
capital stock, (b) the Company shall not make any payment of interest,
principal or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt
securities issued by the Company which rank pari passu with or junior to the
Subordinated Debt Securities and (c) the Company shall not make any guarantee
payments (other than pursuant to the Preferred Securities Guarantee) with
respect to the foregoing; provided, however, the foregoing restriction will
not apply to any dividend, redemption, liquidation, interest, principal or
guarantee payments by the Company where the payment is made by way of (i)
securities (including capital stock) that rank junior to the securities on
which such dividend, redemption, interest, principal or guarantee payment is
being made or (ii) securities (including capital stock) of TCI. Prior to the
termination of any such Extension Period, the Company may further defer
payments of interest by extending the interest payment period, provided that
such Extension Period together with all such previous and further extensions
thereof may not exceed 20 consecutive quarters or extend beyond the maturity
of the Subordinated Debt Securities. Upon the termination of any Extension
Period and the payment of all amounts then due, the Company may select a new
Extension Period, as if no Extension Period had previously been declared,
subject to the above requirements. No interest during an Extension Period,
except at the end thereof, shall be due and payable. The Company has no
present intention of exercising its rights to defer payments of interest by
extending the interest payment period on the Subordinated Debt Securities. If
the Property Trustee shall be the sole holder of the Subordinated Debt
Securities, the Company shall give the Regular Trustees and the Property
Trustee notice of its selection of an Extension Period one Business Day prior
to the earlier of (i) the next succeeding date on which distributions on the
Preferred Securities are payable or (ii) the date the Trust is required to
give notice to the New York Stock Exchange or other applicable self-regulatory
organization or to holders of the Preferred Securities of the record date or
the date such distribution is payable, but in any event not less than one
Business Day prior to such record date. The Regular Trustees shall give notice
of the Company's selection of such Extension Period to the holders of the
Preferred Securities. If the Property Trustee shall not be the sole holder of
the Subordinated Debt Securities, the Company shall give the holders of the
Subordinated Debt Securities notice of its selection of such Extension Period
ten Business Days prior to the earlier of (i) the relevant Interest Payment
Date or (ii) the date the Company is required to give notice to the New York
Stock Exchange or other applicable self-regulatory organization or to holders
of the Subordinated Debt Securities of the record or payment date of such
related interest payment, but in any event at least two Business Days before
such record date.
 
ADDITIONAL INTEREST
 
  If at any time the Trust shall be required to pay any taxes, duties,
assessments or governmental charges of whatever nature (other than withholding
taxes) imposed by the United States, or any other taxing authority, then, in
any such case, the Company will pay as additional interest ("Additional
Interest") such additional amounts as shall be required so that the net
amounts received and retained by the Trust after paying any such taxes,
duties, assessments or other governmental charges will be equal to the amounts
the Trust would have received had no such taxes, duties, assessments or other
governmental charges been imposed.
 
INDENTURE EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
  In case any Indenture Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the
Property Trustee, as the holder of the Subordinated Debt Securities, will have
the right to declare the principal of and the interest on the Subordinated
Debt Securities (including Additional Interest, if any) and any other amounts
payable under the Indenture to be forthwith due and payable and to enforce its
other rights as a creditor with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities.
 
  The Indenture provides that any one or more of the following described
events, which has occurred and is continuing, constitutes an "Event of
Default" with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities:
 
                                     S-32
<PAGE>
 
    (a) failure for 30 days to pay interest on the Subordinated Debt
  Securities, including any Additional Interest in respect thereof, when due;
  provided, however, that a valid extension of the interest payment period by
  the Company shall not constitute a default in the payment of interest for
  this purpose; or
 
    (b) failure to pay principal or premium, if any, on the Subordinated Debt
  Securities when due whether at maturity, upon earlier redemption or
  otherwise; or
 
    (c) failure to observe or perform any other covenant (other than those
  specifically relating to another series of subordinated debt securities)
  contained in the Indenture for 90 days after written notice to the Company
  from the Debt Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of
  the outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities; or
 
    (d) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the
  Company; or
 
    (e) the voluntary or involuntary termination, dissolution or winding-up
  of the Trust, except in connection with the distribution of Subordinated
  Debt Securities to the holders of Preferred Securities in liquidation of
  the Trust, the redemption of all outstanding Trust Securities of the Trust
  and certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations permitted by the
  Declaration.
 
  The holders of a majority in aggregate outstanding principal amount of the
Subordinated Debt Securities have the right to direct the time, method and
place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Debt
Trustee. The Debt Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate
outstanding principal amount of the Subordinated Debt Securities may declare
the principal due and payable immediately on default, but the holders of a
majority in aggregate outstanding principal amount may annul such declaration
and waive the default if the default has been cured and a sum sufficient to
pay all matured installments of interest and principal due otherwise than by
acceleration and any applicable premium has been deposited with the Debt
Trustee.
 
  The holders of a majority in aggregate outstanding principal amount of the
Subordinated Debt Securities affected thereby may, on behalf of the holders of
all the Subordinated Debt Securities, waive any past default, except (i) a
default in the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, including
Additional Interest (unless such default has been cured and a sum sufficient
to pay all matured installments of interest and principal due otherwise than
by acceleration and any applicable premium has been deposited with the Debt
Trustee), or (ii) a default in the covenant of the Company not to declare or
pay dividends on, or make distributions with respect to, or redeem, purchase
or acquire any of its capital stock during an Extension Period. An Indenture
Event of Default also constitutes a Declaration Event of Default. The holders
of Preferred Securities in certain circumstances have the right to direct the
Property Trustee to exercise its rights as the holder of the Subordinated Debt
Securities. See "Description of the Preferred Securities--Declaration Events
of Default" and "--Voting Rights."
 
  In addition, if an Indenture Event of Default results from the failure of
the Company to pay principal of or interest on the Subordinated Debt
Securities when due, during the continuance of such an event of default a
holder of Preferred Securities may immediately institute a legal proceeding
directly against the Company to obtain payment of such principal or interest
on Subordinated Debt Securities having a principal amount equal to the
aggregate liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities owned of record by
such holder.
 
BOOK-ENTRY AND SETTLEMENT
 
  If distributed to holders of Preferred Securities in connection with the
voluntary or involuntary termination, dissolution or winding-up of the Trust
as a result of the occurrence of a Special Event, the Subordinated Debt
Securities will be issued in the form of one or more global certificates
(each, a "Global Security") registered in the name of the depositary or its
nominee. Except under the limited circumstances described below, Subordinated
Debt Securities represented by the Global Security will not be exchangeable
for, and will not otherwise be issuable as, Subordinated Debt Securities in
definitive form. The Global Securities described above may not be transferred
except by the depositary to a nominee of the depositary or by a nominee of the
depositary to the depositary or another nominee of the depositary or to a
successor depositary or its nominee.
 
 
                                     S-33
<PAGE>
 
  The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of securities
take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such laws may
impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in such a Global Security.
 
  Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in such a Global
Security will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Subordinated
Debt Securities in definitive form and will not be considered the Holders (as
defined in the Indenture) thereof for any purpose under the Indenture, and no
Global Security representing Subordinated Debt Securities shall be
exchangeable, except for another Global Security of like denomination and
tenor to be registered in the name of the depositary or its nominee or to a
successor depositary or its nominee. Accordingly, each beneficial owner must
rely on the procedures of the depositary and, if such person is not a
Participant, on the procedures of the Participant through which such person
owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a Holder under the Indenture.
 
  If Subordinated Debt Securities are distributed to holders of Preferred
Securities in liquidation of such holders' interests in the Trust, DTC will
act as securities depositary for the Subordinated Debt Securities. For a
description of DTC and the specific terms of the depository arrangements, see
"Description of the Preferred Securities--Book-Entry Only Issuance--The
Depository Trust Company." The description therein of DTC's book-entry system
and DTC's practices as they relate to purchases, transfers, notices and
payments with respect to the Preferred Securities apply in all material
respects to any debt obligations represented by one or more Global Securities
held by DTC. The Company may appoint a successor to DTC or any successor
depositary in the event DTC or such successor depositary is unable or
unwilling to continue as depositary.
 
  None of the Company, the Trust, the Debt Trustee, any paying agent and any
other agent of the Company or the Debt Trustee will have any responsibility or
liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on
account of beneficial ownership interests in a Global Security for such
Subordinated Debt Securities or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any
records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
 
  A Global Security shall be exchangeable for Subordinated Debt Securities
registered in the names of persons other than the depositary or its nominee
only if (i) the depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable
to continue as a depositary for such Global Security and no successor
depositary shall have been appointed, or if at any time the depositary ceases
to be registered or in good standing under the Exchange Act (or other
applicable statute or regulation) at a time when the depositary is required to
be so registered to act as such depositary and no successor depositary shall
have been appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives
such notice or becomes aware of such condition, (ii) the Company in its sole
discretion determines that such Global Security shall be so exchangeable or
(iii) there shall have occurred an Indenture Event of Default with respect to
such Subordinated Debt Securities. Any Global Security that is exchangeable
pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be exchangeable for Subordinated Debt
Securities registered in such names as the depositary shall direct. It is
expected that such instructions will be based upon directions received by the
depositary from its Participants with respect to ownership of beneficial
interests in such Global Security.
 
  In the event the Subordinated Debt Securities are not represented by one or
more Global Securities, certificates evidencing Subordinated Debt Securities
may be presented for registration of transfer (with the form of transfer
endorsed thereon duly executed) or exchange, at the office of the Debt
Registrar (as defined in the Indenture) or at the office of any transfer agent
designated by the Company for such purpose with respect to the Subordinated
Debt Securities, without service charge and upon payment of any taxes and
other governmental charges as described in the Indenture. Such transfer or
exchange will be effected upon the Debt Register (as defined in the Indenture)
or such transfer agent, as the case may be, being satisfied with the documents
of title and identity of the person making the request. The Company has
appointed the Debt Trustee as Debt Registrar with respect to the Subordinated
Debt Securities. The Company may at any time rescind the designation of any
such transfer agent or approve a change in the location through which any such
transfer agent acts, except that the Company will be required to maintain a
transfer agent at the place of payment. The Company may at any time designate
additional transfer agents with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities.
 
 
                                     S-34
<PAGE>
 
  In the event of any redemption in part, the Company shall not be required to
(i) issue, exchange or register the transfer of Subordinated Debt Securities
during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of
the mailing of a notice of redemption of less than all of the Subordinated
Debt Securities and ending at the close of business on the date of such
mailing or (ii) register the transfer of or exchange any Subordinated Debt
Securities so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the
unredeemed portion of any Subordinated Debt Securities being redeemed in part.
 
PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENTS
 
  Payment of principal of and premium, if any, on the Subordinated Debt
Securities will be made only against surrender to the Paying Agent (as defined
in the Indenture) of the Subordinated Debt Securities. Principal of and
premium, if any, and interest on Subordinated Debt Securities will be payable,
subject to any applicable laws and regulations, at the office of such Paying
Agent or Paying Agents as the Company may designate from time to time, except
that at the option of the Company payment of any interest may be made by check
mailed to the address of the person entitled thereto as such address shall
appear in the Debt Register with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities.
Payment of interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities on any Interest
Payment Date will be made to the person in whose name the Subordinated Debt
Security (or predecessor security) is registered at the close of business on
the Regular Record Date for such interest payment.
 
  The Company will initially act as Paying Agent with respect to the
Subordinated Debt Securities except that, if the Subordinated Debt Securities
are distributed to the holders of the Preferred Securities in liquidation of
such holders' interests in the Trust, the Debt Trustee will act as the Paying
Agent. The Company may at any time designate additional Paying Agents or
rescind the designation of any Paying Agents or approve a change in the office
through which any Paying Agent acts, except that the Company will be required
to maintain a Paying Agent at the place of payment.
 
  All moneys paid by the Company to a Paying Agent for the payment of the
principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Subordinated Debt
Securities which remain unclaimed at the end of two years after such
principal, premium or interest shall have become due and payable will be
repaid to the Company, and the holder of such Subordinated Debt Securities
will thereafter look only to the Company for payment thereof.
 
MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTURE
 
  The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Debt
Trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in
principal amount of the Subordinated Debt Securities, to modify the Indenture
or any supplemental indenture affecting that series or the rights of the
holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities; provided that no such
modification may, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding
Subordinated Debt Security affected thereby, (i) extend the fixed maturity of
the Subordinated Debt Securities, or reduce the principal amount thereof, or
reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon, or reduce
any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, without the consent of the
holder of the Subordinated Debt Securities so affected or (ii) reduce the
percentage of Subordinated Debt Securities the holders of which are required
to consent to any such supplemental indenture, without the consent of the
holders of each Subordinated Debt Security then outstanding and affected
thereby.
 
  In addition, the Company and the Debt Trustee may execute, without the
consent of holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities, any supplemental
indenture for certain other usual purposes including the creation of any new
series of subordinated debt securities.
 
SUCCESSOR CORPORATION
 
  The Company may not consolidate with or merge into, or transfer its
properties and assets substantially as an entirety to, another corporation
unless (i) the successor corporation, which shall be a corporation organized
under the laws of the United States or a State thereof, assumes by
supplemental indenture all the obligations of
 
                                     S-35
<PAGE>
 
the Company under the Subordinated Debt Securities and the Indenture, and (ii)
after giving effect to such transaction, no Indenture Event of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing. The Indenture does not otherwise contain any
covenant which restricts the ability of the Company to merge or consolidate
with or into any other corporation, sell or convey all or substantially all of
its assets to any person, firm or corporation or otherwise engage in
restructuring transactions.
 
DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE
 
  Under the terms of the Indenture, the Company will be discharged from any
and all obligations in respect of the Subordinated Debt Securities (except in
each case for certain obligations with respect to denominations and provisions
for payment of the Subordinated Debt Securities and obligations to register
the transfer or exchange of Subordinated Debt Securities, replace stolen, lost
or mutilated Subordinated Debt Securities, maintain paying agencies and hold
moneys for payment in trust) if the Company (i) deposits with the Debt
Trustee, in trust, moneys or governmental obligations in an amount sufficient
to pay all the principal of, and interest on, the Subordinated Debt Securities
on the dates such payments are due in accordance with the terms of such
Subordinated Debt Securities and (ii) delivers to the Debt Trustee an opinion
of counsel to the effect that, based upon the Company's receipt from, or the
publication by, the Internal Revenue Service of a ruling or a change in law,
the holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities will not recognize income,
gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the
deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to United States federal
income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as
would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance or discharge had not
occurred.
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
  The Indenture and the Subordinated Debt Securities will be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York.
 
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE DEBT TRUSTEE
 
  The Debt Trustee, prior to default, undertakes to perform only such duties
as are specifically set forth in the Indenture and, after default, shall
exercise the same degree of care as a prudent individual would exercise in the
conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to such provision, the Debt Trustee
is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the
Indenture at the request of any holder of Subordinated Debt Securities, unless
offered reasonable indemnity by such holder against the costs, expenses and
liabilities which might be incurred thereby; but the foregoing shall not
relieve the Debt Trustee, upon the occurrence of an Indenture Event of
Default, from exercising the rights and powers vested in it by the Indenture.
The Debt Trustee is not required to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise
incur personal financial liability in the performance of its duties if the
Debt Trustee reasonably believes that repayment or adequate indemnity is not
reasonably assured to it. The Debt Trustee also serves as Property Trustee
under the Declaration and as the Preferred Guarantee Trustee under the
Preferred Securities Guarantee.
 
MISCELLANEOUS
 
  The Company will have the right at all times to assign any of its rights or
obligations under the Indenture to a direct or indirect wholly owned
subsidiary of the Company; provided, that in the event of any such assignment,
the Company will remain liable for all of the obligations of such subsidiary.
Subject to the foregoing, the Indenture will be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of the parties thereto and their respective successors and assigns.
The Indenture provides that it may not otherwise be assigned by the parties
thereto.
 
  The Indenture will provide that the Company will pay all costs, expenses,
debts and obligations of the Trust other than with respect to the Trust
Securities.
 
 
                                     S-36
<PAGE>
 
EFFECT OF OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES AND THE PREFERRED
                             SECURITIES GUARANTEE
 
  As set forth in the Declaration, the exclusive purposes of the Trust are to
(i) issue the Trust Securities, (ii) invest the proceeds thereof in the
Subordinated Debt Securities and (iii) engage in only those other activities
necessary or incidental thereto.
 
  As long as payments of interest and other payments are made when due on the
Subordinated Debt Securities, such payments will be sufficient to cover
distributions and payments due on the Trust Securities primarily because (i)
the aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated Debt Securities will be
equal to the sum of the aggregate stated liquidation amount of the Trust
Securities; (ii) the interest rate and interest and other payment dates on the
Subordinated Debt Securities will match the distribution rate and distribution
and other payment dates for the Preferred Securities; (iii) the Company shall
pay for all costs, expenses, debts and obligations of the Trust (other than
with respect to the Trust Securities); and (iv) the Declaration provides that
the Company Trustees shall not cause or permit the Trust to, among other
things, engage in any activity that is not consistent with the purposes of the
Trust.
 
  Payments of distributions (to the extent funds therefor are available) and
other payments due on the Preferred Securities (to the extent funds therefor
are available) are guaranteed by the Company as and to the extent set forth
under "Description of the Preferred Securities Guarantee." If the Company does
not make interest payments on the Subordinated Debt Securities purchased by
the Trust, it is expected that the Trust will not have sufficient funds to pay
distributions on the Preferred Securities. The Preferred Securities Guarantee
does not apply to any payment of distributions unless and until the Trust has
sufficient funds for the payment of such distributions.
 
  If the Company fails to make interest or other payments on the Subordinated
Debt Securities when due (taking into account any Extension Period), the
Declaration provides a mechanism whereby the holders of the Preferred
Securities, using the procedures described in "Description of the Preferred
Securities--Voting Rights," may direct the Property Trustee to enforce its
rights under the Subordinated Debt Securities, including proceeding directly
against the Company to enforce the Subordinated Debt Securities. If the
Property Trustee fails to enforce its rights under the Indenture or the
Subordinated Debt Securities, a holder of Preferred Securities may institute a
legal proceeding directly against the Company to enforce the Property
Trustee's rights under the Indenture and the Subordinated Debt Securities
without first instituting any legal proceeding against the Property Trustee or
any other person or entity, including the Trust. In addition, during the
continuance of a Declaration Event of Default that results from the failure of
the Company to pay principal of or interest on the Subordinated Debt
Securities when due, a holder may proceed directly against the Company,
without first waiting to determine if the Property Trustee has enforced its
rights under the Declaration, to obtain payment of such principal or interest
on Subordinated Debt Securities having a principal amount equal to the
aggregate liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities owned of record by
such holder.
 
  If the Company fails to make payments under the Preferred Securities
Guarantee, the Preferred Securities Guarantee provides a mechanism whereby the
holders of the Preferred Securities may direct the Preferred Guarantee Trustee
to enforce its rights thereunder. If the Preferred Guarantee Trustee fails to
enforce the Preferred Securities Guarantee, any holder of Preferred Securities
may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Company to enforce the
Preferred Guarantee Trustee's rights under the Preferred Securities Guarantee,
without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Trust, the Preferred
Guarantee Trustee or any other person or entity. In addition, any record
holder of Preferred Securities shall have the right, which is absolute and
unconditional, to proceed directly against the Company to obtain Guarantee
Payments, without first waiting to determine if the Preferred Guarantee
Trustee has enforced the Preferred Security Guarantee or instituting a legal
proceeding against the Trust, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee or any other
person or entity.
 
  The Company's obligations under the Preferred Securities Guarantee, the
Declaration, the Subordinated Debt Securities and the Indenture, in the
aggregate, provide a full and unconditional guarantee by the Company of
payments due on the Preferred Securities.
 
                                     S-37
<PAGE>
 
                    CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
 
  The following is a summary of certain of the principal United States federal
income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the
Preferred Securities to a holder that is a citizen or resident of the United
States, a corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized under
the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia
or an estate or trust the income of which is subject to United States federal
income taxation regardless of source (a "Holder"). This summary does not
address the United States federal income tax consequences to persons other
than Holders.
 
  This summary is based on the United States federal income tax laws,
regulations and rulings and decisions now in effect, all of which are subject
to change, possibly on a retroactive basis. This summary does not address the
tax consequences applicable to investors that may be subject to special tax
rules such as banks, thrifts, real estate investment trusts, regulated
investment companies, insurance companies, dealers in securities or
currencies, tax-exempt investors or persons that will hold the Preferred
Securities as a position in a "straddle," as part of a "synthetic security" or
"hedge," as part of a "conversion transaction" or other integrated investment
or as other than a capital asset. This summary also does not address the tax
consequences to persons that have a functional currency other than the U.S.
dollar or the tax consequences to shareholders, partners or beneficiaries of a
Holder. Further, it does not include any description of any alternative
minimum tax consequences or the tax laws of any state or local government or
of any foreign government that may be applicable to a Holder.
 
CLASSIFICATION OF TCI COMMUNICATIONS FINANCING III
 
  Baker & Botts, L.L.P., counsel to the Company and special counsel to the
Trust, is of the opinion that, under current law and assuming full compliance
with the terms of the Indenture and the Declaration (and certain other
documents), the Trust will be classified as a "grantor trust" for federal
income tax purposes and will not be classified as an association taxable as a
corporation or a partnership. Each Holder will be treated as owning an
undivided beneficial interest in the Subordinated Debt Securities.
Accordingly, each Holder will be required to include in its gross income the
original issue discount ("OID") accrued with respect to its allocable share of
Subordinated Debt Securities. Investors should be aware that the opinion of
Baker & Botts, L.L.P. does not address any other issue and is not binding on
the Internal Revenue Service or the courts.
 
ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, PREMIUM AND MARKET DISCOUNT
 
  Because of the option that the Company has, under the terms of the
Subordinated Debt Securities, to defer payments of interest by extending
interest payment periods for up to 20 consecutive quarters, the Subordinated
Debt Securities will be treated as issued with OID in an amount equal to all
of the stated interest payments on the Subordinated Debt Securities. Holders
must include the OID attributable to the Subordinated Debt Securities in
income on an economic accrual basis before the receipt of cash attributable to
the interest, regardless of their method of tax accounting. The amount of OID
that accrues in any month will approximately equal the amount of the interest
that accrues in that month at the stated interest rate. In the event that the
interest payment period is extended, Holders will continue to accrue OID
approximately equal to the amount of the interest payment due at the end of
the extended interest payment period on an economic accrual basis over the
length of the extended interest period. Corporate Holders will not be entitled
to a dividends-received deduction with respect to any income earned with
respect to the Preferred Securities.
 
  To the extent a Holder acquires its Preferred Securities at a price that is
greater or less than the adjusted issue price of such Holder's share of the
Subordinated Debt Securities (which generally should approximate par plus
accrued but unpaid interest), the Holder will be deemed to have acquired its
interest in the Preferred Securities with acquisition premium or with market
discount, as the case may be. A Holder acquiring Preferred Securities at a
premium will be permitted to reduce the amount of OID required to be included
in income to reflect the acquisition premium. A Holder acquiring Preferred
Securities at a market discount will also include the amount of such discount
in income in accordance with the market discount rules described below.
 
 
                                     S-38
<PAGE>
 
  A Holder acquiring Preferred Securities at a market discount generally will
be required to recognize ordinary income to the extent of accrued market
discount upon the retirement of the underlying Subordinated Debt Securities
or, to the extent of any gain, upon the disposition of the Preferred
Securities. Such market discount would accrue ratably, or, at the election of
the Holder, under a constant yield method over the remaining term of the
Subordinated Debt Securities. A Holder will also be required to defer the
deduction of a portion of the interest paid or accrued on indebtedness
incurred to purchase or carry Preferred Securities acquired with market
discount. In lieu of the foregoing, a Holder may elect to include market
discount in income currently as it accrues on all market discount instruments
acquired by such Holder in the taxable year of the election or thereafter, in
which case the interest deferral rule will not apply. A Holder may elect, in
lieu of applying the market discount or premium rules described above, to
account for all income under the Preferred Securities as if it were OID.
 
RECEIPT OF SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES OR CASH UPON LIQUIDATION OF THE TRUST
 
  Under certain circumstances, as described under the caption "Description of
the Preferred Securities--Special Event Redemption or Distribution,"
Subordinated Debt Securities may be distributed to Holders in exchange for the
Preferred Securities and in liquidation of the Trust. Such a distribution
would be treated as a non-taxable event to each Holder and each Holder would
receive an aggregate tax basis in the Subordinated Debt Securities equal to
such Holder's aggregate tax basis in the Preferred Securities. A Holder's
holding period in the Subordinated Debt Securities so received in liquidation
of the Trust would include the period for which the Preferred Securities were
held by such Holder.
 
  Upon occurrence of a Tax Event, a termination of the Trust in which Holders
receive cash would be a taxable event to such Holders.
 
SALE OF PREFERRED SECURITIES
 
  A Holder that sells Preferred Securities will recognize gain or loss equal
to the difference between its adjusted tax basis in the Preferred Securities
and the amount realized on the sale. A Holder's adjusted tax basis in the
Preferred Securities generally will be its initial purchase price increased by
OID previously includible in such Holder's gross income to the date of
disposition (and the accrual of market discount, if any) and decreased by
payments received on the Preferred Securities. Subject to the market discount
rules described above, any such gain or loss generally will be capital gain or
loss.
 
  The Preferred Securities may trade at a price that does not accurately
reflect the value of accrued but unpaid interest with respect to the
underlying Subordinated Debt Securities. A Holder disposing of its Preferred
Securities between record dates for payments of distributions thereon will be
required to include accrued but unpaid interest through the date of
disposition in income as ordinary income (i.e., OID), and to add such amount
to its adjusted tax basis in its Preferred Securities. To the extent the
selling price is less than the Holder's adjusted tax basis (which will
include, in the form of OID, all accrued but unpaid interest), a Holder will
recognize a capital loss. Subject to certain limited exceptions, capital
losses cannot be applied to offset ordinary income for United States federal
income tax purposes.
 
FOREIGN INVESTORS
 
  Subject to the discussion of backup withholding below, interest (including
OID) with respect to the Preferred Securities paid to a nonresident alien
individual, foreign corporation, foreign partnership or foreign estate or
trust will be exempt from U.S. withholding tax, provided that the Holder
complies with applicable certification requirements (and does not actually or
constructively own ten percent or more of the voting stock of the Company and
is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the Company or its
affiliates).
 
INFORMATION REPORTING TO HOLDERS
 
  Subject to the qualifications discussed below, income on the Preferred
Securities will be reported to Holders on Form 1099, which forms should be
mailed to Holders of Preferred Securities by January 31 following each
calendar year.
 
                                     S-39
<PAGE>
 
  The Trust will be obligated to report annually to Cede & Co., as Holder of
record of the Preferred Securities, the OID with respect to the Preferred
Securities that accrued during that year. The Trust currently intends to
report such information on Form 1099 prior to January 31 following each
calendar year even though the Trust is not legally required to report to
record Holders until April 15 following each calendar year. The Underwriters
(as defined herein) have indicated to the Trust that, to the extent that they
hold Preferred Securities as nominees for beneficial holders, they currently
expect to report to such beneficial holders on Forms 1099 by January 31
following each calendar year. Under current law, Holders of Preferred
Securities who hold as nominees for beneficial Holders will not have any
obligation to report information regarding the beneficial holders to the
Trust. The Trust, moreover, will not have any obligation to report to
beneficial Holders who are not also record holders. Thus, beneficial holders
of Preferred Securities who hold their Preferred Securities through the
Underwriters or otherwise in "street name" will receive Forms 1099 reflecting
the income on their Preferred Securities from such nominee Holders rather than
the Trust.
 
BACKUP WITHHOLDING
 
  Payments made on, and proceeds from the sale of, the Preferred Securities
may be subject to a "backup" withholding tax of 31% unless the Holder complies
with certain identification requirements. Any withheld amounts will be allowed
as a credit against the Holder's federal income tax, provided that required
information is provided to the Internal Revenue Service.
 
PROPOSED TAX LAW CHANGES
 
  On December 7, 1995, the U.S. Treasury Department proposed a series of tax
law changes that would, among other things, prevent companies from deducting
interest on debt instruments with a maturity of more than 40 years and on
instruments with a maximum term of more than 20 years which are not shown as
indebtedness on the consolidated balance sheet of the issuer. Either of these
proposals, if enacted, would prevent the Company from deducting interest paid
on the Subordinated Debt Securities. The Company cannot predict whether the
proposed tax law changes will become law. However, the Chairmen of the House
Ways and Means and Senate Finance Committees issued a joint statement on March
29, 1996 stating that the effective date of these proposals, if enacted, would
be no earlier than the date of appropriate Congressional action. In addition,
subsequent to the publication of such joint statement, Senator Daniel Patrick
Moynihan and Representatives Sam M. Gibbons and Charles B. Rangel wrote
letters to Treasury Department officials concurring with the view expressed in
such joint statement. If legislation is enacted limiting, in whole or in part,
the deductibility by the Company of interest on the Subordinated Debt
Securities for United States federal income tax purposes, such enactment would
be a Tax Event. Under certain circumstances following a Tax Event, the Company
may cause the Subordinated Debt Securities to be redeemed, in which event the
Trust would redeem the Trust Securities. See "Description of the Preferred
Securities--Special Event Redemption or Distribution." The December 7, 1995
proposed tax law changes would not alter the United States federal income tax
consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Preferred
Securities.
 
  THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX DISCUSSION SET FORTH ABOVE IS INCLUDED FOR GENERAL
INFORMATION ONLY AND MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE DEPENDING UPON A HOLDER'S
PARTICULAR SITUATION. HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT
TO THE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF
THE PREFERRED SECURITIES, INCLUDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES UNDER STATE, LOCAL,
FOREIGN AND OTHER TAX LAWS AND THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN FEDERAL OR
OTHER TAX LAWS.
 
                                     S-40
<PAGE>
 
                                 UNDERWRITING
 
  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in a purchase agreement (the
"Purchase Agreement"), the Trust has agreed to sell to each of the
underwriters named below (the "Underwriters"), and each of the Underwriters,
for whom Lehman Brothers Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated are acting as representatives (the "Representatives"), has
severally agreed to purchase, the number of Preferred Securities set forth
opposite its name below. In the Purchase Agreement, the several Underwriters
have agreed, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, to
purchase all of the Preferred Securities offered hereby if any of the
Preferred Securities are purchased. In the event of default by an Underwriter,
the Purchase Agreement provides that, in certain circumstances, the purchase
commitments of the nondefaulting Underwriters may be increased or the Purchase
Agreement may be terminated.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 NUMBER OF
           UNDERWRITER                                      PREFERRED SECURITIES
           -----------                                      --------------------
   <S>                                                      <C>
   Lehman Brothers Inc. ...................................
   Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
            Incorporated...................................
</TABLE>
 
                                     S-41
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 NUMBER OF
           UNDERWRITER                                      PREFERRED SECURITIES
           -----------                                      --------------------
   <S>                                                      <C>
                                                                 ----------
        Total.............................................
                                                                 ==========
</TABLE>
 
  The Underwriters propose initially to offer the Preferred Securities to the
public at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover page of
this Prospectus, and to certain dealers at such price less a concession not in
excess of $  per Preferred Security, provided that such concession for sales
of        or more Preferred Securities to a single purchaser will not be in
excess of $  per Preferred Security. The Underwriters may allow, and such
dealers may reallow, a discount not in excess of $  per Preferred Security to
certain other dealers. After the initial public offering, the public offering
price, concession and discount may be changed.
 
  In view of the fact that the proceeds of the sale of the Preferred
Securities will be used to purchase the Subordinated Debt Securities of the
Company, the Purchase Agreement provides that the Company will pay as
compensation ("Underwriters' Compensation") to the Underwriters for the
Underwriters arranging the investment therein of such proceeds, an amount in
New York Clearing House funds of $   per Preferred Security (or $     in the
aggregate), provided that such compensation for sales of       or more
Preferred Securities to any single purchaser will be $  per Preferred
Security. Therefore, to the extent of such sales, the actual amount of
Underwriters' Compensation will be less than the aggregate amount specified in
the preceding sentence.
 
  During a period of 30 days from the date of this Prospectus Supplement,
neither the Trust nor the Company will, without the prior written consent of
the Representatives, directly or indirectly, sell, offer to sell, contract to
sell, grant any option for the sale of, or otherwise dispose of, any Preferred
Securities, any security convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for,
Preferred Securities or the Subordinated Debt Securities or any debt
securities substantially similar to the Subordinated Debt Securities or any
equity securities substantially similar to the Preferred Securities (except
for the Subordinated Debt Securities and the Preferred Securities offered
hereby and subject to certain exceptions specified in the Purchase Agreement).
 
  An application will be filed with the New York Stock Exchange for the
listing of the Preferred Securities, subject to official notice of issuance.
If approved for listing, trading of the Preferred Securities on the New York
Stock Exchange is expected to commence within a 30-day period after the
initial delivery of the Preferred Securities. The Representatives have advised
the Trust that the Underwriters intend to make a market in the Preferred
Securities prior to the commencement of trading on the New York Stock
Exchange. The Underwriters will have no obligation to make a market in the
Preferred Securities, however, and may cease market making activities, if
commenced, at any time.
 
                                     S-42
<PAGE>
 
  Prior to this offering there has been no public market for the Preferred
Securities. In order to meet one of the requirements for listing the Preferred
Securities on the New York Stock Exchange, the Underwriters will undertake to
sell lots of 100 or more Preferred Securities to a minimum of 400 beneficial
holders.
 
  The Company and the Trust have agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against,
or to contribute to payments that the Underwriters may be required to make in
respect of, certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended.
 
  Certain of the Underwriters engage in transactions with, and from time to
time have performed services for, the Company in the ordinary course of
business.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
  Certain matters of Delaware law relating to the validity of the Preferred
Securities will be passed upon on behalf of the Trust by Richards, Layton &
Finger, special Delaware counsel to the Trust. The validity of the
Subordinated Debt Securities, the Preferred Securities Guarantee and certain
matters relating thereto will be passed upon on behalf of the Company by Baker
& Botts, L.L.P., New York, New York. Certain United States federal income
taxation matters will be passed upon for the Company and the Trust by Baker &
Botts, L.L.P. Jerome H. Kern, special counsel to Baker & Botts, L.L.P., is a
director of Tele-Communications, Inc., which owns all of the Common Stock of
the Company. Certain attorneys with Baker & Botts, L.L.P. hold options to
purchase shares of TCI's Tele-Communications, Inc. Series A TCI Group Common
Stock and hold restricted shares and options to purchase shares of Tele-
Communications, Inc. Series A Liberty Media Group Common Stock. Certain legal
matters will be passed upon on behalf of the Underwriters by Brown & Wood LLP,
New York, New York.
 
                                     S-43
<PAGE>
 
                                  DEFINITIONS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   TERM                           PAGE
   ----                           ----
<S>                               <C>
Additional Interest.............  S-32
Beneficial Owner................  S-24
Business Day....................  S-17
Change in 1940 Act Law..........  S-17
Common Securities...............   S-1
Common Securities Guarantee.....  S-27
Company.........................   S-1
Company Trustees................  S-11
Creditor........................  S-23
DTC.............................  S-23
Debt Trustee....................  S-29
Declaration.....................  S-11
Declaration Event of Default....  S-20
Delaware Trustee................  S-11
Direct Participants.............  S-24
Dissolution Tax Opinion.........  S-17
distributions...................   S-2
Event of Default................  S-32
Exchange Act....................  S-24
Extension Period................   S-2
Global Security.................  S-33
Guarantee Payments..............  S-26
Holder..........................  S-38
Indenture.......................  S-29
Indenture Event of Default......  S-20
Indirect Participants...........  S-24
Interest Payment Date...........  S-31
Investment Company Event........  S-17
Liquidation Distribution........  S-19
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   TERM                           PAGE
   ----                           ----
<S>                               <C>
New York Stock Exchange.........   S-1
1940 Act........................  S-17
No Recognition Opinion..........  S-18
OID.............................  S-38
Participants....................  S-24
Preferred Guarantee Trustee.....  S-11
Preferred Securities............   S-1
Preferred Securities Guarantee..   S-2
Property Account................  S-11
Property Trustee................  S-11
Purchase Agreement..............  S-41
Redemption Price................   S-3
Redemption Tax Opinion..........  S-18
Regular Trustees................  S-11
Representatives.................  S-41
Senior Indebtedness.............  S-30
Special Event...................  S-17
Sponsor.........................  S-11
Successor Securities............  S-23
Subordinated Debt Securities....   S-2
Super-Majority..................  S-21
TCI.............................   S-3
Tax Event.......................  S-17
Trust...........................   S-1
Trust Act.......................  S-11
Trust Indenture Act.............  S-11
Trust Securities................   S-2
Underwriters....................  S-41
Underwriter's Compensation......  S-42
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-44
<PAGE>
 
                SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED NOVEMBER 27, 1996
 
PROSPECTUS
 
                                 $500,000,000
 
                           TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
 
                         SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
 
                               ---------------
                       TCI COMMUNICATIONS FINANCING III
                        TCI COMMUNICATIONS FINANCING IV
                        TCI COMMUNICATIONS FINANCING V
                        TCI COMMUNICATIONS FINANCING VI
 
                             PREFERRED SECURITIES
 
                 GUARANTEED TO THE EXTENT SET FORTH HEREIN BY
                           TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
 
                               ---------------
  TCI Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), may from
time to time offer its subordinated debt securities (the "Subordinated Debt
Securities") in one or more series and in amounts, at prices and on terms to
be determined at the time of the offering. The Subordinated Debt Securities
when issued will be unsecured obligations of the Company. The Company's
obligations under the Subordinated Debt Securities will be subordinate and
junior in right of payment to certain other indebtedness of the Company, as
may be described in an accompanying Prospectus Supplement (the "Prospectus
Supplement").
 
  TCI Communications Financing III, TCI Communications Financing IV, TCI
Communications Financing V and TCI Communications Financing VI (each, a "TCIC
Trust"), each a statutory business trust formed under the laws of Delaware,
may from time to time offer preferred securities evidencing preferred
undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the respective TCIC Trust
("Preferred Securities"). The payment of periodic cash distributions
("distributions") with respect to Preferred Securities of each of the TCIC
Trusts, out of moneys held by each of the TCIC Trusts, and payments on
liquidation, redemption or otherwise with respect to such Preferred Securities
will be guaranteed by the Company to the extent described herein (each, a
"Preferred Securities Guarantee"). The Company's obligations under the
Preferred Securities Guarantees will be subordinate and junior in right of
payment to all other liabilities of the Company and pari passu (equally and
ratably) with the most senior preferred stock issued by the Company and with
any guarantee that may be entered into by the Company in respect of any
preferred stock of any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company. Subordinated
Debt Securities may be issued and sold from time to time in one or more series
by the Company to a TCIC Trust in connection with the investment of the
proceeds from the offering of Preferred Securities and Common Securities (as
defined herein) of such TCIC Trust. The Subordinated Debt Securities
subsequently may be distributed pro rata to holders of Preferred Securities
and Common Securities in connection with the termination of such TCIC Trust
upon the occurrence of certain events as may be described in the Prospectus
Supplement.
 
  Specific terms of the particular Subordinated Debt Securities of any series,
the Preferred Securities of any TCIC Trust and the related Preferred
Securities Guarantee in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered
(the "Offered Securities") will be set forth in an accompanying Prospectus
Supplement with respect to such series of Subordinated Debt Securities or such
Preferred Securities, which will describe, without limitation and where
applicable, the following: (i) in the case of Subordinated Debt Securities,
the specific designation, aggregate principal amount, denomination, maturity,
premium, if any, interest rate (or the method of determining such rate), dates
on which premium, if any, and interest, if any, will be payable, any
redemption provisions, any sinking fund provisions, the initial public
offering price, the subordination terms, any listing on a securities exchange
and any other terms and (ii) in the case of Preferred Securities, the specific
designation, number of Preferred Securities, distribution rate (or the method
of determining such rate), dates on which distributions will be payable,
liquidation amount, voting rights, any redemption provisions, terms for any
conversion into or exchange for other securities, the initial public offering
price, any listing on a securities exchange and any other rights, preferences,
privileges, limitations and restrictions.
 
  The Offered Securities may be offered in amounts, at prices and on terms to
be determined at the time of offering; provided, however, that the aggregate
initial public offering price of all Offered Securities shall not exceed
$500,000,000. The Prospectus Supplement relating to any series of Offered
Securities will contain information concerning certain United States federal
income tax considerations applicable to such Offered Securities.
 
                               ---------------
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. THIS PROSPECTUS
     MAY NOT BE USED TO CONSUMMATE SALES OF SECURITIES UNLESS ACCOMPANIED
      BY A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.
 
                  The date of this Prospectus is      , 1996
<PAGE>
 
  The Offered Securities will be sold directly or through agents, underwriters
or dealers as designated from time to time, or through a combination of such
methods. If agents or any underwriters or dealers are involved in the sale of
the Offered Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered,
the names of such agents, underwriters or dealers and any applicable
commissions or discounts will be set forth in or may be calculated from the
Prospectus Supplement related to such Offered Securities.
 
  NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE
COMPANY OR ANY OF THE TCIC TRUSTS TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATION OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS
PROSPECTUS OR ANY ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE,
SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN
AUTHORIZED. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY IN ANY
JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR
SOLICITATION IN SUCH JURISDICTION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR
ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION
THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY OR ANY OF THE TCIC
TRUSTS SINCE THE DATE HEREOF.
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
  The TCIC Trusts and the Company have filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Securities Act"), a combined registration statement on Form S-3 (herein,
together with all amendments and exhibits, referred to as the "Registration
Statement") relating to the Subordinated Debt Securities, the Preferred
Securities and the Preferred Securities Guarantees. This Prospectus does not
contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement,
certain parts of which are omitted in accordance with the rules and
regulations of the Commission. For further information, reference is hereby
made to the Registration Statement. Statements or extracts presented in this
Prospectus from financial statements, contracts, agreements or other documents
included as exhibits to the Registration Statement are not necessarily
complete. With respect to each such financial statement, contract, agreement
or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, reference
is hereby made to such exhibit for a more complete description of the matter
involved.
 
  The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and, in accordance
therewith, files reports, proxy statements, information statements and other
information with the Commission. Such reports, proxy statements, information
statements and other information concerning the Company can 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 at Seven World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York
10048, and Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago,
Illinois 60661. Copies of such material can be obtained from the Public
Reference Room of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024,
Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. The Commission maintains a site
on the World Wide Web that contains reports, proxy and information statements
and other information regarding registrants (including the Company) that file
electronically with the Commission. The address of the Commission's Web site
is http://www.sec.gov. Reports, proxy statements, information statements and
other information concerning the Company can also be inspected at The Nasdaq
Stock Market at 1735 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006.
 
  No separate financial statements of the TCIC Trusts have been included
herein. The Company does not believe that such financial statements would be
material to holders of the Preferred Securities because the TCIC Trusts are
newly-formed special purpose entities, have no operating history, have no
independent operations and are not engaged in, and do not propose to engage
in, any activity other than the issuance of the Trust Securities (as defined
herein) and holding as trust assets the Subordinated Debt Securities of the
Company. The TCIC Trusts are not currently subject to the informational
reporting requirements of the Exchange Act. TCI
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
Communications Financing III and TCI Communications Financing IV have each
obtained written assurance from the Commission in a letter, dated May 14,
1996, that the Commission will not raise any objection if such trusts do not
comply with the informational reporting requirements of the Exchange Act. The
remaining TCIC Trusts will become subject to the informational reporting
requirements of the Exchange Act upon the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part, and will seek and expect to
receive exemptions therefrom.
 
                    INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
  The Company hereby incorporates in this Prospectus by reference the
following documents filed by the Company with the Commission (Commission File
No. 0-5550): (i) its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1995; (ii) its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March
31, 1996, (as amended by Form 10-Q/A (Amendment No. 1)), June 30, 1996 and
September 30, 1996; (iii) its Current Reports on Form 8-K dated February 9,
1996, February 14, 1996, May 22, 1996, June 7, 1996, June 19, 1996, July 2,
1996, August 5, 1996, September 3, 1996 and September 11, 1996; and (iv) the
financial statements and notes thereto of Cablevision, (a combination of
certain cable television assets of Cablevision S.A., Televisora Belgrano S.A.,
Construred S.A. and Univent's S.A.) as of December 31, 1994 and 1993, and for
each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1994, which
appear in the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company, dated April 20, 1995
(as amended by Form 8-K/A (Amendment No. 1)).
 
  All documents filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Sections
13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date hereof and prior
to the termination of the offering of the securities offered hereby shall be
deemed to be incorporated herein by reference and to be a part hereof from the
respective dates of the filing of such documents. Any statement contained 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 which 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.
 
  The Company will provide without charge to each person, including any
beneficial owner, to whom a Prospectus is delivered, on the written or oral
request of any such person, a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated
by reference herein, other than certain exhibits to such documents (unless
such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into the documents
that this Prospectus incorporates). Such requests should be addressed to
Stephen M. Brett, Esq., Senior Vice President, TCI Communications, Inc.,
Terrace Tower II, 5619 DTC Parkway, Englewood, Colorado 80111-3000; telephone
(303) 267-5500.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
  The Company is principally engaged in the construction, acquisition,
development, ownership and operation of cable television systems. The Company
is the largest provider of cable television services in the United States,
based on the number of basic subscribers served by the Company and its
subsidiaries and affiliates at September 30, 1996.
 
  The Company is a subsidiary of Tele-Communications, Inc. ("TCI") which, in
addition to the operations of the Company, is engaged in the provision of
satellite-delivered programming services to various distribution media,
principally cable television systems. In addition, TCI has interests in cable
and telecommunications operations and television programming in certain
international markets and has investments in companies and joint ventures
involved in developing and providing programming for new television and
telecommunications technologies. TCI will have no obligation or liability,
contingent or otherwise, under the Subordinated Debt Securities, the Preferred
Securities Guarantees or the Preferred Securities.
 
  The Company is a Delaware corporation incorporated in 1968. Its executive
offices are located at Terrace Tower II, 5619 DTC Parkway, Englewood, Colorado
80111-3000; telephone (303) 267-5500.
 
                    THE TCI COMMUNICATIONS FINANCING TRUSTS
 
  Each of TCI Communications Financing III, TCI Communications Financing IV,
TCI Communications Financing V and TCI Communications Financing VI is a
statutory business trust formed under Delaware law pursuant to (i) a separate
declaration of trust, executed by the Company, as sponsor for such trust (the
"Sponsor"), and the TCIC Trustees (as defined herein) as of that date of such
trust and (ii) the filing of a separate certificate of trust with the Delaware
Secretary of State. The declaration of trust of each TCIC Trust will be
amended and restated in its entirety (as so amended and restated, the
"Declaration") substantially in the form filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part. Each TCIC Trust
exists for the exclusive purposes of (i) issuing and selling the Preferred
Securities and Common Securities representing undivided beneficial interests
in the assets of such Trust (the "Common Securities" and, together with the
Preferred Securities, the "Trust Securities"), (ii) investing the gross
proceeds of the Trust Securities in a series of Subordinated Debt Securities
and (iii) engaging in only those other activities necessary or incidental
thereto. All of the Common Securities will be directly or indirectly owned by
the Company. The Common Securities will rank pari passu, and payments will be
made thereon pro rata, with the Preferred Securities except that upon an event
of default under the Declaration, the rights of the holders of the Common
Securities to payment in respect of distributions and payments upon
liquidation, redemption and otherwise will be subordinated to the rights of
the holders of the Preferred Securities. The Company will, directly or
indirectly, acquire Common Securities in an aggregate liquidation amount equal
to 3% of the total capital of each TCIC Trust. Each TCIC Trust has a term of
approximately 55 years, but may earlier terminate as provided in the
applicable Declaration. Each TCIC Trust's business and affairs will be
conducted by the trustees (the "TCIC Trustees") appointed by the Company, as
the direct or indirect holder of all the Common Securities. The holder of the
Common Securities will be entitled to appoint, remove or replace any of, or
increase or reduce the number of, the TCIC Trustees of a TCIC Trust. The
duties and obligations of such TCIC Trustees shall be governed by the
Declaration of such TCIC Trust, the Trust Indenture Act and the Trust Act. A
majority of the TCIC Trustees (the "Regular Trustees") of each TCIC Trust will
be persons who are employees or officers of or affiliated with the Company.
One TCIC Trustee of each TCIC Trust will be a financial institution which will
be unaffiliated with the Company and which shall act as property trustee and
as indenture trustee for purposes of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the
"Trust Indenture Act"), pursuant to the terms set forth in a Prospectus
Supplement (the "Property Trustee"). In addition, unless the Property Trustee
maintains a principal place of business in the State of Delaware, and
otherwise meets the requirements of applicable law, another TCIC Trustee of
each TCIC Trust will have its principal place of business or reside in the
State of Delaware (the "Delaware Trustee"). The Company will pay all fees,
expenses, debts and obligations (other than the Trust Securities) related to
the TCIC Trusts and the offering of Trust Securities. The office of the
Delaware Trustee for each TCIC Trust in the State of Delaware is 400 White
Clay Center, Route 273, Newark, Delaware 19711. The principal place of
business of each TCIC Trust shall be c/o TCI Communications, Inc., 5619 DTC
Parkway, Englewood, Colorado 80111 (telephone number (303) 267-5500).
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
                             ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
 
  The financial statements of each TCIC Trust that has issued Trust Securities
will be consolidated with the Company's financial statements, with the
Preferred Securities of each TCIC Trust shown on the Company's consolidated
financial statements as Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred
securities of subsidiary trusts holding solely subordinated debt securities of
the Company. The Company's financial statements will include a footnote that
discloses, among other things, that the sole asset of each TCIC Trust included
therein consists of Subordinated Debt Securities of the Company, and will
specify the designation, principal amount, interest rate and maturity date of
such Subordinated Debt Securities.
 
   RATIO OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS
 
  The following table sets forth the ratio of earnings to combined fixed
charges and preferred stock dividends from continuing operations of the
Company for the periods indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,     SEPTEMBER 30,
                                  --------------------------- ------------------
                                  1995 1994  1993  1992  1991   1996      1995
                                  ---- ----- ----- ----- ---- --------  --------
   <S>                            <C>  <C>   <C>   <C>   <C>  <C>       <C>
   Ratio of earnings to combined
    fixed charges and preferred
    stock dividends (1).........  --   1.21x 1.22x 1.00x --        --        --
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) The ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock
    dividends of the Company was 1.21, 1.22, and 1.00 for the years ended
    December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992, respectively. The ratio of earnings to
    combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends of the Company was
    less than 1.00 for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1991, and for the
    nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1995; thus, earnings available
    for combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends were inadequate
    to cover combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends for such
    periods. The amounts of the coverage deficiencies were $170 million and
    $177 million for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1991, respectively,
    and $388 million and $63 million for the nine months ended September 30,
    1996 and 1995, respectively. For the ratio calculations, earnings
    available for combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends
    consists of earnings (losses) before income taxes plus fixed charges
    (minus capitalized interest), distributions from and losses of less than
    50%-owned affiliates with debt not guaranteed by the Company (net of
    earnings not distributed of less than 50%-owned affiliates), minority
    interests in earnings (losses) of consolidated subsidiaries, the
    elimination of preferred stock dividend requirements of consolidated
    subsidiaries to 50%-owned affiliates, and preferred stock dividend
    requirements of 50%-owned affiliates, other than amounts to the Company.
    Combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends consist of (i)
    interest (including capitalized interest) on debt, including interest of
    less than 50%-owned affiliates with debt guaranteed by the Company, (ii)
    the elimination of interest of consolidated subsidiaries to 50%-owned
    affiliates, (iii) the Company's proportionate share of interest of 50%-
    owned affiliates, (iv) that portion of rental expense the Company believes
    to be representative of interest (one-third of rental expense), (v)
    amortization of debt expense, (vi) that portion of minority interests in
    earnings (losses) of consolidated subsidiaries that represent the amount
    of pretax earnings that would be required to cover preferred stock
    dividend requirements of consolidated subsidiaries, (vii) that portion of
    the Company's earnings (losses) that represent the amount of pretax
    earnings that would be required to cover preferred stock dividend
    requirements of the Company, (viii) the elimination of preferred stock
    dividend requirements of consolidated subsidiaries to 50%-owned
    affiliates, and (ix) the preferred stock dividend requirements of 50%-
    owned affiliates, other than amounts to the Company. The Company has
    guaranteed the debt of certain less than 50%-owned affiliates and certain
    other entities in which it has an interest. Fixed charges of $5 million,
    $5 million, $14 million, $3 million and $1 million relating to such
    guarantees for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992 and
    1991, respectively, and fixed charges of $3 million and $3 million
    relating to such guarantees for the nine months ended September 30, 1996
    and 1995, respectively, have not been included in fixed charges.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
  Each TCIC Trust will invest all proceeds received from the sale of its Trust
Securities in Subordinated Debt Securities.
 
  The Company will use the net proceeds from the sale of the Subordinated Debt
Securities for general corporate purposes, including to redeem, repurchase or
otherwise repay outstanding indebtedness, or for such other purposes as may be
specified in an accompanying Prospectus Supplement.
 
                    DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED SECURITIES
 
  Each TCIC Trust may issue only one series of Preferred Securities having
terms described in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. The Declaration
of each TCIC Trust authorizes the Regular Trustees of such TCIC Trust to issue
on behalf of such TCIC Trust one series of Preferred Securities. Each
Declaration will be qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.
The Preferred Securities will have such terms, including distributions,
redemption, voting, liquidation rights and such other preferred, deferred or
other special rights or such restrictions as shall be set forth in each
Declaration or made part of each Declaration by the Trust Indenture Act and
the Trust Act. Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to the
Preferred Securities of a TCIC Trust for specific terms, including (i) the
distinctive designation of such Preferred Securities; (ii) the number of
Preferred Securities issued by such TCIC Trust; (iii) the annual distribution
rate (or method of determining such rate) for Preferred Securities issued by
such TCIC Trust and the date or dates upon which such distributions shall be
payable; provided, however, that distributions on such Preferred Securities
shall be payable on a quarterly basis to holders of such Preferred Securities
as of a record date in each quarter during which such Preferred Securities are
outstanding; (iv) whether distributions on Preferred Securities issued by such
TCIC Trust shall be cumulative, and, in the case of Preferred Securities
having such cumulative distribution rights, the date or dates or method of
determining the date or dates from which distributions on Preferred Securities
issued by such TCIC Trust shall be cumulative; (v) the amount or amounts which
shall be paid out of the assets of such TCIC Trust to purchase or redeem
Preferred Securities issued by such TCIC Trust and the price or prices at
which, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon
which, Preferred Securities issued by such TCIC Trust shall be purchased or
redeemed, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation; (vi) the voting
rights, if any, of Preferred Securities issued by such TCIC Trust in addition
to those required by law, including any requirement for the approval by the
holders of Preferred Securities, or of Preferred Securities issued by one or
more TCIC Trusts, or of both, as a condition to specified action or amendments
to the Declaration of such TCIC Trust; and (vii) any other relevant rights,
preferences, privileges, limitations or restrictions of Preferred Securities
issued by such TCIC Trust not inconsistent with the Declaration of such TCIC
Trust or with applicable law. All Preferred Securities offered hereby will be
guaranteed by the Company to the extent set forth below under "Description of
the Preferred Securities Guarantees." Any applicable United States federal
income tax considerations applicable to any offering of Preferred Securities
will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.
 
  In connection with the issuance of Preferred Securities, each TCIC Trust
will issue one series of Common Securities. The Declaration of each TCIC Trust
authorizes the Regular Trustees of such trust to issue on behalf of such TCIC
Trust one series of Common Securities having such terms including
distributions, redemption, voting, liquidation rights or such restrictions as
shall be set forth therein. The terms of the Common Securities issued by a
TCIC Trust will be substantially identical to the terms of the Preferred
Securities issued by such Trust and the Common Securities will rank pari
passu, and payments will be made thereon pro rata, with the Preferred
Securities except that, upon an event of default under the Declaration, the
rights of the holders of the Common Securities to payment in respect of
distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise will be
subordinated to the rights of the holders of the Preferred Securities. All of
the Common Securities of a TCIC Trust will be directly or indirectly owned by
the Company.
 
PROPOSED TAX LAW CHANGES
 
  Each TCIC Trust may invest the proceeds from the issuance of its Preferred
Securities and Common Securities in a series of Subordinated Debt Securities.
On December 7, 1995, the U.S. Treasury Department
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
proposed a series of tax law changes that would, among other things, prevent
companies from deducting interest on debt instruments with a maturity of more
than 40 years and on instruments with a maximum term of more than 20 years
which are not shown as indebtedness on the consolidated balance sheet of the
issuer. If the Company were to issue to a TCIC Trust a series of Subordinated
Debt Securities that had a maximum term of more than 20 years and which the
Company did not show as indebtedness on its consolidated balance sheet (see
"Accounting Treatment"), or if such Subordinated Debt Securities were issued
with a maturity of more than 40 years (or were otherwise within the scope of
these proposals), then the Treasury Department's proposals, if enacted, would
prevent the Company from deducting interest paid on such Subordinated Debt
Securities. The Company cannot predict whether the proposed tax law changes
will become law. However, the Chairmen of the House Ways and Means and Senate
Finance Committees issued a joint statement on March 29, 1996 stating that the
effective date of these proposals, if enacted, would be no earlier than the
date of appropriate Congressional action. In addition, subsequent to the
publication of such joint statement, Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan and
Representatives Sam M. Gibbons and Charles B. Rangel wrote letters to Treasury
Department officials concurring with the view expressed in such joint
statement. The Company will describe the effect of any proposed or enacted tax
law changes arising after the date of this Prospectus in the Prospectus
Supplement relating to any securities offered thereby. The December 7, 1995
proposed tax law changes would not alter the United States federal income tax
consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of Preferred
Securities or Subordinated Debt Securities.
 
              DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEES
 
  Set forth below is a summary of information concerning the Preferred
Securities Guarantees which will be executed and delivered by the Company for
the benefit of the holders from time to time of Preferred Securities. Each
Preferred Securities Guarantee will be qualified as an indenture under the
Trust Indenture Act. The Bank of New York will act as indenture trustee under
each Preferred Securities Guarantee (the "Preferred Guarantee Trustee"). The
terms of each Preferred Securities Guarantee will be those set forth in such
Preferred Securities Guarantee and those made part of such Preferred
Securities Guarantee by the Trust Indenture Act. The following summary does
not purport to be complete and is subject in all respects to the provisions
of, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the form of Preferred
Securities Guarantee, which is filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part, and the Trust Indenture Act.
Each Preferred Securities Guarantee will be held by the Preferred Guarantee
Trustee for the benefit of the holders of the Preferred Securities of the
applicable TCIC Trust.
 
GENERAL
 
  Pursuant to each Preferred Securities Guarantee, the Company will
irrevocably and unconditionally agree, to the extent set forth therein, to pay
in full, to the holders of the Preferred Securities issued by a TCIC Trust,
the Guarantee Payments (as defined herein) (except to the extent paid by such
TCIC Trust), as and when due, regardless of any defense, right to set-off or
counterclaim which such TCIC Trust may have or assert. The following payments
with respect to Preferred Securities issued by a TCIC Trust, to the extent not
paid by such TCIC Trust (the "Guarantee Payments"), will be subject to the
Preferred Securities Guarantee thereon (without duplication): (i) any accrued
and unpaid distributions which are required to be paid on such Preferred
Securities, to the extent such TCIC Trust shall have funds available therefor,
(ii) the redemption price, including all accrued and unpaid distributions to
the redemption date (the "Redemption Price"), to the extent such TCIC Trust
has funds available therefor, with respect to any Preferred Securities called
for redemption by such TCIC Trust and (iii) upon a voluntary or involuntary
termination, dissolution or winding-up of such TCIC Trust (other than in
connection with the distribution of Subordinated Debt Securities to the
holders of Preferred Securities in exchange for their Preferred Securities),
the lesser of (a) the aggregate of the liquidation amount and all accrued and
unpaid distributions on such Preferred Securities to the date of payment and
(b) the amount of assets of such TCIC Trust remaining available for
distribution to holders of such Preferred Securities in liquidation of such
TCIC Trust. The Company's obligation to make a Guarantee Payment may be
satisfied by direct payment of the required amounts by the Company to the
holders of Preferred Securities or by causing the applicable TCIC Trust to pay
such amounts to such holders.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
  Each Preferred Securities Guarantee will be a full and unconditional
guarantee with respect to the Preferred Securities issued by the applicable
TCIC Trust from the time of issuance of such Preferred Securities, but will
not apply to any payment of distributions when the TCIC Trust does not have
sufficient funds available to make such payment or distributions. If the
Company does not make interest payments on the Subordinated Debt Securities
purchased by a TCIC Trust, such TCIC Trust will not pay distributions on the
Preferred Securities issued by such TCIC Trust and will not have funds
available therefor. See "Description of the Subordinated Debt Securities--
Certain Covenants."
 
  The Company has also agreed separately to guarantee the obligations of the
TCIC Trusts with respect to the Common Securities (the "Common Securities
Guarantees") to the same extent as the Preferred Securities Guarantee, except
that upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an event of default
under the Indenture (as hereinafter defined), holders of Preferred Securities
shall have priority over holders of Common Securities with respect to
distributions and payments on liquidation, redemption or otherwise.
 
CERTAIN COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
 
  In each Preferred Securities Guarantee, the Company will covenant that, so
long as any Preferred Securities issued by the applicable TCIC Trust remain
outstanding, if there shall have occurred any event that would constitute an
event of default under such Preferred Securities Guarantee or the Declaration
of such TCIC Trust, then (a) the Company shall not declare or pay any dividend
on, make any distributions with respect to, or redeem, purchase or make a
liquidation payment with respect to, any of its capital stock, (b) the Company
shall not make any payment of interest, principal or premium, if any, on or
repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities issued by the Company which
rank pari passu with or junior to such Subordinated Debt Securities and (c)
the Company shall not make any guarantee payments (other than pursuant to the
Preferred Security Guarantees) with respect to the foregoing. However, each
Preferred Security Guarantee will except from the foregoing covenant any
dividend, redemption, liquidation, interest, principal or guarantee payment by
the Company where the payment is made by way of (i) securities (including
capital stock) that rank junior to the securities on which such dividend,
redemption, liquidation, interest, principal or guarantee payment is being
made or (ii) securities (including capital stock) of TCI.
 
MODIFICATION OF THE PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEES; ASSIGNMENT
 
  Except with respect to any changes which do not adversely affect the rights
of holders of Preferred Securities (in which case no vote will be required),
each Preferred Securities Guarantee may be amended only with the prior
approval of the holders of not less than 66 2/3% in liquidation amount of the
outstanding Preferred Securities issued by the applicable TCIC Trust. The
manner of obtaining any such approval of holders of such Preferred Securities
will be as set forth in an accompanying Prospectus Supplement. All guarantees
and agreements contained in a Preferred Securities Guarantee shall bind the
successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and representatives of the Company
and shall inure to the benefit of the holders of the Preferred Securities then
outstanding of the applicable TCIC Trust.
 
TERMINATION
 
  Each Preferred Securities Guarantee will terminate as to the Preferred
Securities issued by the applicable TCIC Trust upon full payment of the
Redemption Price of all Preferred Securities of such TCIC Trust, upon
distribution of the Subordinated Debt Securities held by such TCIC Trust to
the holders of the Preferred Securities of such TCIC Trust in liquidation of
such holders' interest in such Preferred Securities or upon full payment of
the amounts payable in accordance with the Declaration of such TCIC Trust upon
liquidation of such TCIC Trust. Each Preferred Securities Guarantee will
continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any
time any holder of Preferred Securities issued by the applicable TCIC Trust
must restore payment of any sums paid under such Preferred Securities or such
Preferred Securities Guarantee.
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
  An event of default under a Preferred Securities Guarantee will occur upon
the failure of the Company to perform any of its payment or other obligations
thereunder.
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
  The holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities
relating to such Preferred Securities Guarantee have the right to direct the
time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available
to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee in respect of such Preferred Securities
Guarantee or to direct the exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the
Preferred Guarantee Trustee under such Preferred Securities Guarantee. If the
Preferred Guarantee Trustee fails to enforce such Preferred Securities
Guarantee, any holder of Preferred Securities relating to such Preferred
Securities Guarantee may institute a legal proceeding directly against the
Company to enforce the Preferred Guarantee Trustee's rights under such
Preferred Securities Guarantee, without first instituting a legal proceeding
against the relevant TCIC Trust, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee or any other
person or entity. In addition, any record holder of Preferred Securities
relating to such Preferred Securities Guarantee shall have the right, which is
absolute and unconditional, to proceed directly against the Company to obtain
Guarantee Payments thereunder, without first waiting to determine if the
Preferred Guarantee Trustee has enforced such Preferred Security Guarantee or
instituting a legal proceeding against the TCIC Trust which issued such
Preferred Securities, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee or any other person or
entity.
 
STATUS OF THE PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEES
 
  The Preferred Securities Guarantees will constitute unsecured obligations of
the Company and will rank (i) subordinate and junior in right of payment to
all other liabilities of the Company, (ii) pari passu with the most senior
preferred or preference stock now or hereafter issued by the Company and with
any guarantee now or hereafter entered into by the Company in respect of any
preferred or preference stock of any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company
and (iii) senior to the Company's common stock. The terms of the Preferred
Securities provide that each holder of Preferred Securities issued by such
TCIC Trust by acceptance thereof agrees to the subordination provisions and
other terms of the Preferred Securities Guarantee relating thereto.
 
  The Preferred Securities Guarantees will constitute a guarantee of payment
and not of collection (that is, the guaranteed party may institute a legal
proceeding directly against the guarantor to enforce its rights under the
guarantee without instituting a legal proceeding against any other person or
entity).
 
  The Company's obligations under the Declaration for each TCIC Trust, the
Preferred Securities Guarantee with respect to the Preferred Securities issued
by such Trust, the Subordinated Debt Securities purchased by such TCIC Trust
and the Indenture, in the aggregate, will provide a full and unconditional
guarantee by the Company of payments due on the Preferred Securities issued by
such TCIC Trust.
 
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE PREFERRED GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
 
  The Preferred Guarantee Trustee, prior to the occurrence of a default with
respect to a Preferred Securities Guarantee, undertakes to perform only such
duties as are specifically set forth in such Preferred Securities Guarantee
and, after default, shall exercise the same degree of care as a prudent
individual would exercise in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to
such provisions, the Preferred Guaranteed Trustee is under no obligation to
exercise any of the powers vested in it by the Preferred Securities Guarantee
at the request of any holder of Preferred Securities, unless offered
reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might
be incurred thereby.
 
  The Company and certain of its affiliates maintain deposit accounts and
banking relationships with the Preferred Guarantee Trustee. The Preferred
Guarantee Trustee serves as trustee under other indentures pursuant to which
unsecured debt securities of the Company are outstanding.
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
  The Preferred Securities Guarantees will be governed by and construed in
accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
                DESCRIPTION OF THE SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
 
  Subordinated Debt Securities may be issued from time to time in one or more
series under an Indenture, dated as of January 29, 1996 (the "Indenture"),
among the Company and The Bank of New York, as Trustee (the "Debt Trustee").
The terms of the Subordinated Debt Securities will include those stated in the
Indenture and in a Supplemental Indenture (as defined below) and those made
part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act. The following
summary does not purport to be complete and is subject in all respects to the
provisions of, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the
Indenture, which is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which
this Prospectus forms a part, and the Trust Indenture Act. Whenever particular
provisions or defined terms in the Indenture are referred to herein, such
provisions or defined terms are incorporated by reference herein.
 
GENERAL
 
  The Subordinated Debt Securities will be unsecured, subordinated obligations
of the Company. The Indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of
Subordinated Debt Securities which may be issued thereunder and provides that
the Subordinated Debt Securities may be issued from time to time in one or
more series. The Subordinated Debt Securities are issuable in one or more
series pursuant to an indenture supplemental to the Indenture or a resolution
of the Company's Board of Directors or a special committee thereof (each, a
"Supplemental Indenture").
 
  In the event Subordinated Debt Securities are issued to a TCIC Trust or a
trustee of such Trust in connection with the issuance of Trust Securities by
such TCIC Trust, such Subordinated Debt Securities subsequently may be
distributed pro rata to the holders of such Trust Securities in connection
with the termination of such TCIC Trust upon the occurrence of certain events
described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such Trust Securities. Only
one series of Subordinated Debt Securities will be issued to a TCIC Trust or a
trustee of such Trust in connection with the issuance of Trust Securities by
such TCIC Trust.
 
  Reference is made to the accompanying Prospectus Supplement for the
following terms of the series of Subordinated Debt Securities being offered
thereby: (i) the specific title of such Subordinated Debt Securities; (ii) any
limit on the aggregate principal amount of such Subordinated Debt Securities;
(iii) the date or dates on which the principal of such Subordinated Debt
Securities is payable and the right, if any, to extend such date or dates;
(iv) the rate or rates at which such Subordinated Debt Securities will bear
interest or the method of determination of such rate or rates; (v) the date or
dates from which such interest shall accrue, the interest payment dates on
which such interest will be payable or the manner of determination of such
interest payment dates and the record dates for the determination of holders
to whom interest is payable on any such interest payment dates; (vi) the
right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and the duration of such
extension; (vii) the period or periods within which, the price or prices at
which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such Subordinated Debt
Securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;
(viii) the right and/or obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or
purchase such Subordinated Debt Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or
analogous provisions or at the option of the holder thereof and the period or
periods during which, the price or prices at which, and the terms and
conditions upon which, such Subordinated Debt Securities shall be redeemed or
purchased, in whole or part, pursuant to such right and/or obligation; (ix)
the terms of subordination; (x) if other than denominations of $25 or any
integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which such Subordinated Debt
Securities shall be issuable; (xi) any and all other terms with respect to
such series; and (xii) whether such Subordinated Debt Securities are issuable
as a global security, and in such case, the identity of the depositary.
 
  The Indenture does not contain any provisions that afford holders of
Subordinated Debt Securities protection in the event of a highly leveraged
transaction involving the Company.
 
SUBORDINATION
 
  The Subordinated Debt Securities will be subordinated and junior in right of
payment to certain other indebtedness of the Company to the extent set forth
in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement.
 
                                      10
<PAGE>
 
CERTAIN COVENANTS
 
  If Subordinated Debt Securities are issued to a TCIC Trust or a trustee of
such Trust in connection with the issuance of Trust Securities by such TCIC
Trust and (i) there shall have occurred and be continuing any event that would
constitute an Event of Default under the Indenture or (ii) the Company shall
be in default with respect to its payment of any obligations under the related
Preferred Securities Guarantee or Common Securities Guarantee, and such
default shall be continuing, then (a) the Company shall not declare or pay any
dividend on, make any distributions with respect to, or redeem, purchase or
make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of its capital stock, (b) the
Company shall not make any payment of interest, principal or premium, if any,
on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities issued by the Company
which rank pari passu with or junior to such Subordinated Debt Securities and
(c) the Company shall not make any guarantee payments (other than pursuant to
the Preferred Security Guarantees) with respect to the foregoing.
 
  If Subordinated Debt Securities are issued to a TCIC Trust or a trustee of
such Trust in connection with the issuance of Trust Securities by such TCIC
Trust and the Company shall have given notice of its election to defer
payments of interest on such Subordinated Debt Securities by extending the
interest payment period as provided in the Indenture and such period, or any
extension thereof, shall be continuing, then (a) the Company shall not declare
or pay any dividend on, make any distributions with respect to, or redeem,
purchase or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of its capital
stock, (b) the Company shall not make any payment of interest, principal or
premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities issued
by the Company which rank pari passu with or junior to such Subordinated Debt
Securities and (c) the Company shall not make any guarantee payments (other
than pursuant to the Preferred Security Guarantees) with respect to the
foregoing.
 
  Notwithstanding the foregoing restrictions, the Company will be permitted,
in any event, to make dividend, redemption, liquidation and guarantee payments
on capital stock, and interest, principal, redemption and guarantee payments
on debt securities issued by the Company ranking pari passu with or junior to
Subordinated Debt Securities, where the payment is made by way of (i)
securities (including capital stock) that rank junior to the securities on
which such payment is being made or (ii) securities (including capital stock)
of TCI.
 
  In the event Subordinated Debt Securities are issued to a TCIC Trust or a
trustee of such Trust in connection with the issuance of Trust Securities of
such TCIC Trust, for so long as such Trust Securities remain outstanding, the
Company will covenant (i) to directly or indirectly maintain 100% ownership of
the Common Securities of such TCIC Trust; provided, however, that any
permitted successor of the Company under the Indenture may succeed to the
Company's ownership of such Common Securities, (ii) not to cause, as sponsor
of such TCIC Trust, or to permit, as holder of the Common Securities of such
TCIC Trust, the termination, dissolution or winding-up of such TCIC Trust,
except in connection with a distribution of the Subordinated Debt Securities
as provided in the Declaration and in connection with certain mergers,
consolidations or amalgamations, (iii) to use its reasonable efforts to cause
such TCIC Trust (a) to remain a statutory business trust, except in connection
with the distribution of Subordinated Debt Securities to the holders of Trust
Securities in liquidation of such TCIC Trust, the redemption of all of the
Trust Securities of such TCIC Trust, or certain mergers, consolidations or
amalgamations, each as permitted by the Declaration of such TCIC Trust, and
(b) to otherwise continue not to be classified as an association taxable as a
corporation or partnership for United States federal income tax purposes and
(iv) to use reasonable efforts to cause each holder of Trust Securities of
such TCIC Trust to be treated as owning an undivided beneficial interest in
the Subordinated Debt Securities issued to such TCIC Trust.
 
FORM, EXCHANGE, REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER
 
  Subordinated Debt Securities of each series will be issued in registered
form and in either certificated form or represented by one or more global
securities. If not represented by one or more global securities, Subordinated
Debt Securities may be presented for registration of transfer (with the form
of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed) or exchange at the office of the
Debt Registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by the
Company for such purpose with respect to any series of Subordinated Debt
Securities and referred to in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, without
service charge and upon payment of any taxes and other governmental charges as
described in the Indenture. Such transfer or exchange will be effected upon
the Debt
 
                                      11
<PAGE>
 
Registrar or such transfer agent, as the case may be, being satisfied with the
documents of title and identity of the person making the request. The Company
has appointed the Debt Trustee as Debt Registrar with respect to each series
of Subordinated Debt Securities. If a Prospectus Supplement refers to any
transfer agents (in addition to the Debt Registrar) initially designated by
the Company with respect to any series of Subordinated Debt Securities, the
Company may at any time rescind the designation of any such transfer agent or
approve a change in the location through which any such transfer agent acts,
except that the Company will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each
Place of Payment for such series. The Company may at any time designate
additional transfer agents with respect to any series of Subordinated Debt
Securities.
 
  In the event of any redemption in part, the Company shall not be required to
(i) issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Subordinated Debt
Securities during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before
any selection for redemption of Subordinated Debt Securities of like tenor and
of the series of which such Subordinated Debt Securities are a part, and
ending at the close of business on the earliest date on which the relevant
notice of redemption is deemed to have been given to all holders of
Subordinated Debt Securities of like tenor and of such series to be redeemed
and (ii) register the transfer of or exchange any Subordinated Debt Securities
so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion
of any Subordinated Debt Securities being redeemed in part.
 
PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENTS
 
  Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment
of principal of and premium, if any, on any Subordinated Debt Securities will
be made only against surrender to the Paying Agent of such Subordinated Debt
Securities. Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable Prospectus Supplement,
principal of, any premium, if any, and interest, if any, on Subordinated Debt
Securities will be payable, subject to any applicable laws and regulations, at
the office of such Paying Agent or Paying Agents as the Company may designate
from time to time, except that at the option of the Company, payment of any
interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the person entitled
thereto as such address as shall appear in the Debt Register with respect to
such Subordinated Debt Securities. Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable
Prospectus Supplement, payment of interest on a Subordinated Debt Security on
any Interest Payment Date will be made to the person in whose name such
Subordinated Debt Security (or predecessor security) is registered at the
close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest payment.
 
  The Debt Trustee will act as Paying Agent with respect to each series of
Subordinated Debt Securities. The Company may at any time designate additional
Paying Agents or rescind the designation of any Paying Agents or approve a
change in the office through which any Paying Agent acts, except that the
Company will be required to maintain a Paying Agent in each Place of Payment
for each series of Subordinated Debt Securities.
 
  All moneys paid by the Company to a Paying Agent for the payment of the
principal of or premium or interest, if any, on any Subordinated Debt
Securities of any series which remain unclaimed at the end of two years after
such principal or premium or interest, if any, shall have become due and
payable will be repaid to the Company and the holder of such Subordinated Debt
Securities will thereafter look only to the Company for payment thereof.
 
GLOBAL SECURITIES
 
  If any Subordinated Debt Securities of a series are represented by one or
more global securities (each, a "Global Security"), the applicable Prospectus
Supplement will describe the circumstances, if any, under which beneficial
owners of interests in any such Global Security may exchange such interests
for Subordinated Debt Securities of such series and of like tenor and
principal amount in any authorized form and denomination. Principal of and any
premium, if any, and interest on a Global Security will be payable in the
manner described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
  The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any portion
of a series of Subordinated Debt Securities to be represented by a Global
Security will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
                                      12
<PAGE>
 
MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTURE
 
  The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Debt
Trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in
principal amount of the Subordinated Debt Securities of each series which are
affected by the modification, to modify the Indenture or any supplemental
indenture affecting that series or the rights of the holders of that series of
Subordinated Debt Securities; provided that no such modification may, without
the consent of the holder of each outstanding Subordinated Debt Security
affected thereby, (i) extend the fixed maturity of any Subordinated Debt
Securities of any series, or reduce the principal amount thereof, or reduce
the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon, or reduce any
premium payable upon the redemption thereof, without the consent of the holder
of each Subordinated Debt Security so affected or (ii) reduce the percentage
of Subordinated Debt Securities the holders of which are required to consent
to any such supplemental indenture, without the consent of the holders of each
then outstanding Subordinated Debt Security affected thereby.
 
  In addition, the Company and the Debt Trustee may execute, without the
consent of any holder of Subordinated Debt Securities, any supplemental
indenture for certain other usual purposes including the creation of any new
series of Subordinated Debt Securities.
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
  With respect to a particular series of Subordinated Debt Securities, the
Indenture provides (or the Supplemental Indenture for such series will
provide) that any one or more of the following described events which has
occurred and is continuing constitutes an "Event of Default" with respect to
such series of Subordinated Debt Securities:
 
    (a) failure for 30 days to pay interest on the Subordinated Debt
  Securities of that series, including any Additional Interest in respect
  thereof, when due; provided, however, that a valid extension of the
  interest payment period by the Company shall not constitute a default in
  the payment of interest for this purpose; or
 
    (b) failure to pay principal or premium, if any, on the Subordinated Debt
  Securities of that series when due whether at maturity, upon redemption, by
  declaration or otherwise, or to make any sinking fund payment with respect
  to that series; or
 
    (c) failure to observe or perform any other covenant (other than those
  specifically relating to another series) contained in the Indenture for 90
  days after written notice to the Company from the Debt Trustee or the
  holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Subordinated
  Debt Securities of that series; or
 
    (d) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the
  Company; or
 
    (e) in the event Subordinated Debt Securities are issued to a TCIC Trust
  or a trustee of such Trust in connection with the issuance of Trust
  Securities by such TCIC Trust, the voluntary or involuntary dissolution,
  winding-up or termination of such TCIC Trust, except in connection with the
  distribution of Subordinated Debt Securities to the holders of Trust
  Securities in liquidation of such TCIC Trust, the redemption of all of the
  Trust Securities of such TCIC Trust, or certain mergers, consolidations or
  amalgamations, each as permitted by the Declaration of such TCIC Trust.
 
  The holders of a majority in aggregate outstanding amount of any series of
Subordinated Debt Securities have the right to direct the time, method and
place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Debt
Trustee for the series. The Debt Trustee or the holders of not less than 25%
in aggregate outstanding principal amount of any particular series of the
Subordinated Debt Securities may declare the principal immediately due and
payable upon an Event of Default with respect to such series, but the holders
of a majority in aggregate outstanding principal amount of such series may
annul such declaration and waive the default with respect to such series if
the Event of Default has been cured and a sum sufficient to pay all matured
installments of interest and principal due otherwise than by acceleration and
any applicable premium has been deposited with the Debt Trustee. If an Event
of Default results from the failure of the Company to pay when due principal
of or interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities issued to a TCIC Trust,
during the continuance of such an Event of Default a holder of Preferred
Securities issued by such TCIC Trust may immediately institute a legal
proceeding
 
                                      13
<PAGE>
 
directly against the Company to obtain payment of such principal or interest
on Subordinated Debt Securities having a principal amount equal to the
aggregate liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities owned of record by
such holder.
 
  The holders of a majority in aggregate outstanding principal amount of any
series of Subordinated Debt Securities affected thereby may, on behalf of the
holders of all the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series, waive any past
default, except (i) a default in the payment of principal, premium, if any, or
interest (unless such default has been cured and a sum sufficient to pay all
matured installments of interest and principal due otherwise than by
acceleration and any applicable premium has been deposited with the Debt
Trustee) or (ii) a default in the covenants described in the first or second
paragraph under "--Certain Covenants" above.
 
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND SALE
 
  The Indenture does not contain any covenant which restricts the ability of
the Company to merge or consolidate with or into any other corporation, sell
or convey all or substantially all of its assets to any person, firm or
corporation or otherwise engage in restructuring transactions.
 
DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE
 
  Under the terms of the Indenture, the Company will be discharged from any
and all obligations in respect of the Subordinated Debt Securities of any
series (except in each case for certain obligations to register the transfer
or exchange of Subordinated Debt Securities, replace, stolen, lost or
mutilated Subordinated Debt Securities, maintain paying agencies and hold
moneys for payment in trust) if the Company deposits with the Debt Trustee, in
trust, moneys or Government Obligations in an amount sufficient to pay all the
principal of, and interest on, the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series
on the dates such payments are due in accordance with the terms of such
Subordinated Debt Securities.
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
  The Indenture and the Subordinated Debt Securities will be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York.
 
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE DEBT TRUSTEE
 
  The Debt Trustee, prior to default, undertakes to perform only such duties
as are specifically set forth in the Indenture and, after default, shall
exercise the same degree of care as a prudent individual would exercise in the
conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to such provision, the Debt Trustee
is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the
Indenture at the request of any holder of Subordinated Debt Securities, unless
offered reasonable indemnity by such holder against the costs, expenses and
liabilities which might be incurred thereby. The Debt Trustee is not required
to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial
liability in the performance of its duties if the Debt Trustee reasonably
believes that repayment or adequate indemnity is not reasonably assured to it.
 
  The Company and certain of its affiliates maintain a deposit account and
banking relationship with the Debt Trustee. The Debt Trustee serves as trustee
under other indentures pursuant to which unsecured debt securities of the
Company are outstanding.
 
MISCELLANEOUS
 
  The Company will have the right at all times to assign any of its rights or
obligations under the Indenture to a direct or indirect wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company; provided, that in the event of any such assignment,
the Company will remain liable for all of its obligations thereunder. Subject
to the foregoing, the Indenture will be binding upon and inure to the benefit
of the parties thereto and their respective successors and assigns. The
Indenture provides that it may not otherwise be assigned by the parties
thereto.
 
                                      14
<PAGE>
 
                             PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
  The Company may sell any series of Subordinated Debt Securities and the TCIC
Trusts may sell the Preferred Securities in one or more of the following ways
from time to time: (i) to or through underwriters or dealers, (ii) directly to
purchasers or (iii) through agents. The Prospectus Supplement with respect to
any Offered Securities will set forth (i) the terms of the offering of such
Offered Securities, including the name or names of any underwriters, dealers
or agents, (ii) the purchase price of such Offered Securities and the proceeds
to the Company or the applicable TCIC Trust, as the case may be, from such
sale, (iii) any underwriting discounts and commissions or agency fees and
other item's constituting underwriters' or agents' compensation, (iv) any
initial public offering prices, (v) any discounts or concessions allowed or
reallowed or paid to dealers and (vi) any securities exchange or other
securities market on which such Offered Securities may be listed.
 
  If underwriters are used in the sale, the Offered Securities will be
acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time
to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a
fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of
sale. The Offered Securities may be offered to the public either through
underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or
directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. The underwriter or
underwriters with respect to a particular underwritten offering of Offered
Securities will be named in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such
offering and, if any underwriting syndicate is used, the managing underwriter
or underwriters will be set forth on the cover of the Prospectus Supplement.
Unless otherwise set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto, the
obligations of the underwriters to purchase the Offered Securities will be
subject to certain conditions precedent, and the underwriters will be
obligated to purchase all the Offered Securities if any are purchased.
 
  If dealers are utilized in the sale of Offered Securities, the Company or
the applicable TCIC Trust will sell such Offered Securities to the dealers as
principals. The dealers may then resell such Offered Securities to the public
at varying prices to be determined by such dealers at the time of resale. The
names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction will be set forth in the
Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.
 
  Any series of Subordinated Debt Securities may be sold from time to time
either directly by the Company or through agents designated by the Company.
Any series of Preferred Securities may be sold from time to time either
directly by the applicable TCIC Trust or by agents of the applicable TCIC
Trust designated by such TCIC Trust. Any agent involved in the offer or sale
of the Offered Securities in respect to which this Prospectus is delivered
will be named, and any commissions payable by the Company or the applicable
TCIC Trust to such agent will be set forth, in the Prospectus Supplement
relating thereto. Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, any
such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its
appointment.
 
  The Subordinated Debt Securities may be sold directly by the Company and the
Preferred Securities may be sold directly by the applicable TCIC Trust to
institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters within
the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any resale thereof. The
terms of any such sales will be described in the Prospectus Supplement
relating thereto.
 
  If so indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the Company or the applicable
TCIC Trust will authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers
from certain types of institutions to purchase Offered Securities from the
Company or such TCIC Trust at the public offering price set forth in the
Prospectus Supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for
payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. Such contracts will be
subject only to those conditions set forth in the Prospectus Supplement, and
the Prospectus Supplement will set forth the commission payable for
solicitation of such contracts.
 
  Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled under agreements entered
into with the Company or the applicable TCIC Trust (or both) to
indemnification by the Company or such TCIC Trust (or both) against certain
civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to
contribution with respect to payments which such underwriters, dealers or
agents may be required to make in respect thereof. Underwriters, dealers and
agents may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services
for the Company and its affiliates in the ordinary course of business.
 
                                      15
<PAGE>
 
  Each series of Offered Securities will be a new issue of securities and will
have no established trading market. Any underwriters to whom Offered
Securities are sold by the Company or by a TCIC Trust for public offering and
sale may make a market in such Offered Securities, but such underwriters will
not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time
without notice. The Offered Securities may or may not be listed on a national
securities exchange. No assurance can be given that there will be a market for
the Offered Securities.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
  Certain matters of Delaware law relating to the validity of the Preferred
Securities will be passed upon on behalf of the TCIC Trusts by Richards,
Layton & Finger, special Delaware counsel to the TCIC Trusts. The validity of
the Subordinated Debt Securities and the Preferred Securities Guarantees will
be passed upon on behalf of the Company by Baker & Botts, L.L.P., New York,
New York. Jerome H. Kern, special counsel to Baker & Botts, L.L.P., is a
director of Tele-Communications, Inc., which owns all of the common stock of
the Company. Certain attorneys with Baker & Botts, L.L.P. hold options to
purchase shares of TCI's Tele-Communications, Inc. Series A TCI Group Common
Stock and hold restricted shares and options to purchase shares of Tele-
Communications, Inc. Series A Liberty Media Group Common Stock. Certain legal
matters will be passed upon on behalf of any underwriters by Brown & Wood LLP,
New York, New York.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
  The consolidated balance sheets of TCI Communications, Inc. and subsidiaries
as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, and the related consolidated statements of
operations, stockholder's(s') equity, and cash flows for each of the years in
the three-year period ended December 31, 1995, and all related financial
statement schedules, which appear in the December 31, 1995 Annual Report on
Form 10-K of TCI Communications, Inc., have been incorporated by reference
herein in reliance upon the reports, dated March 18, 1996, of KPMG Peat
Marwick LLP, independent certified public accountants, incorporated by
reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting
and auditing.
 
  The combined balance sheets of Cablevision (a combination of certain cable
television assets of Cablevision S.A., Televisora Belgrano S.A., Construed
S.A. and Univent's S.A.) as of December 31, 1994 and 1993, and the related
combined statements of operations and deficit and cash flows for each of the
years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1994, which appear in the
Current Report on Form 8-K of TCI Communications, Inc. dated April 20, 1995,
as amended, have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the
report, dated March 24, 1995, of KPMG Finsterbusch Pickenhayn Sibille,
independent certified public accountants, incorporated by reference herein,
and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
  The combined financial statements of VII Cable which appear in TCI
Communications, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 19, 1996, have
been incorporated by reference herein in reliance on the report dated February
14, 1996 of Price Waterhouse LLP, independent accountants, given on the
authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
 
                                      16
<PAGE>

 
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  NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS IN
CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER MADE BY THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS
AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED
UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC., TCI COMMUNICATIONS
FINANCING III OR THE UNDERWRITERS. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL UNDER ANY
CIRCUMSTANCE CREATE AN IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS
OF TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC. OR TCI COMMUNICATIONS FINANCING III SINCE THE DATE
HEREOF. THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN
OFFER OR SOLICITATION BY ANYONE IN ANY STATE 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 ANYONE TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO
MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION.
 
                               ----------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
                             PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          PAGE
                                                                          ----
<S>                                                                       <C>
Prospectus Summary....................................................... S-4
Risk Factors............................................................. S-6
The Company.............................................................. S-10
The Trust................................................................ S-10
Selected Financial Information of the Company............................ S-12
Capitalization of the Company............................................ S-14
Accounting Treatment..................................................... S-15
Use of Proceeds.......................................................... S-15
Description of the Preferred Securities.................................. S-15
Description of the Preferred Securities Guarantee........................ S-26
Description of the Subordinated Debt Securities.......................... S-29
Effect of Obligations Under the Subordinated Debt Securities and the
 Preferred Securities Guarantee.......................................... S-37
Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences.................................. S-38
Underwriting............................................................. S-41
Legal Matters............................................................ S-43
Definitions.............................................................. S-44
                                   PROSPECTUS
Available Information....................................................    2
Incorporation of Documents by Reference..................................    3
The Company..............................................................    4
The TCI Communications Financing Trusts..................................    4
Accounting Treatment.....................................................    5
Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock
 Dividends...............................................................    5
Use of Proceeds..........................................................    6
Description of the Preferred Securities..................................    6
Description of the Preferred Securities Guarantees.......................    7
Description of the Subordinated Debt Securities..........................   10
Plan of Distribution.....................................................   15
Legal Matters............................................................   16
Experts..................................................................   16
</TABLE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                     [    ]
 
                              PREFERRED SECURITIES
 
                               TCI COMMUNICATIONS
                                 FINANCING III
 
                                      % TRUST
                              PREFERRED SECURITIES
 
                          GUARANTEED TO THE EXTENT SET
                                FORTH HEREIN BY
 
                            TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
 
                               ----------------
 
                             PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
 
                               ----------------
 
 
                                LEHMAN BROTHERS
 
                              MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
 
 
 
 
 
                                          , 1996
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
 
  The aggregate estimated expenses, other than underwriting discounts and
commissions, in connection with the offering pursuant to this Registration
Statement are currently anticipated to be as follows:
 
<TABLE>
    <S>                                                                <C>
    Registration Fee.................................................. $151,516
    Blue Sky Fees and Expenses (including counsel fees)...............   15,000
    Printing and Engraving Expenses...................................  200,000
    Legal Fees and Expenses...........................................   50,000
    Accounting Fees and Expenses......................................   25,000
    Rating Agency Fees................................................   50,000
    Miscellaneous.....................................................    5,000
                                                                       --------
      Total........................................................... $496,516
                                                                       ========
</TABLE>
 
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
  Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides, generally,
that a corporation shall have the power to indemnify any person who was or is
a party or is threatened to be made a party to any action, suit or proceeding
(except actions by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact
that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the
corporation against all expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in
settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such
action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. A corporation may
similarly indemnify such person for expenses actually and reasonably incurred
by him in connection with the defense or settlement of any action or suit by
or in the right of the corporation, provided such person acted in good faith
and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the corporation, and, in the case of claims, issues and matter as
to which such person shall have been adjudged liable to the corporation,
provided that a court shall have determined, upon application, that, despite
the adjudication of liability but in view of all of the circumstances of the
case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such
expenses which such court shall deem proper.
 
  Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "DGCL")
provides, generally, that the certificate of incorporation may contain a
provision eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director to the
corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary
duty as a director, provided that such provision may not eliminate or limit
the liability of a director (i) for any breach of the director's duty of
loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not
in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation
of law, (iii) under section 174 of Title 8 of the DGCL, or (iv) for any
transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. No
such provision may eliminate or limit the liability of a director for any act
or omission occurring prior to the date when such provision becomes effective.
 
  Section D of Article V of the Company's Restated Certificate of
Incorporation provides as follows:
 
  1. Limitation On Liability.
 
  To the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law as
the same exists or may hereafter be amended, a director of the Corporation
shall not be liable to the Corporation or any of its stockholders for monetary
damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. Any repeal or modification
of this paragraph 1 shall be prospective only and shall not adversely affect
any limitation, right or protection of a director of the Corporation existing
at the time of such repeal or modification.
 
                                     II-1
<PAGE>
 
  2. Indemnification.
 
  (a) RIGHT TO INDEMNIFICATION. The Corporation shall indemnify and hold
harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently
exists or may hereafter be amended, any person who was or is made or is
threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a
"proceeding") by reason of the fact that he, or a person for whom he is the
legal representative, is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or is
or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer,
employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture,
trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to
employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses
(including attorneys' fees) reasonably incurred by such person. Such right of
indemnification shall inure whether or not the claim asserted is based on
matters which antedate the adoption of this Section D. The Corporation shall
be required to indemnify a person in connection with a proceeding (or part
thereof) initiated by such person only if the proceeding (or part thereof) was
authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
 
  (b) PREPAYMENT OF EXPENSES. The Corporation shall pay the expenses
(including attorneys' fees) incurred by a director or officer in defending any
proceeding in advance of its final disposition, provided, however, that the
payment of expenses incurred by a director or officer in advance of the final
disposition of the proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an
undertaking by the director or officer to repay all amounts advanced if it
should be ultimately determined that the director or officer is not entitled
to be indemnified under this paragraph or otherwise.
 
  (c) CLAIMS. If a claim for indemnification or payment of expenses under this
paragraph is not paid in full within 60 days after a written claim therefor
has been received by the Corporation, the claimant may file suit to recover
the unpaid amount of such claim and, if successful in whole or in part, shall
be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim. In any such
action the Corporation shall have the burden of proving that the claimant was
not entitled to the requested indemnification or payment of expenses under
applicable law.
 
  (d) NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS. The rights conferred on any person by this
paragraph shall not be exclusive of any other rights which such person may
have or hereafter acquires under any statute, provision of this Certificate,
the Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or
otherwise.
 
  (e) OTHER INDEMNIFICATION. The Corporation's obligation, if any, to
indemnify any person who was or is serving at its request as a director,
officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity shall be reduced by any amount such
person may collect as indemnification from such other corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity.
 
  3. Amendment or Repeal.
 
  Any repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Section D
shall not adversely affect any right or protection hereunder of any person in
respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such repeal or
modification.
 
  The Company may purchase liability insurance policies covering its directors
and officers.
 
  In addition, pursuant to Section 6 of the form of Purchase Agreement, the
Underwriters will agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and each
Trust and their respective directors, officers and trustees and each person,
if any, who controls the Company or each Trust within the meaning of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, against certain civil liabilities
including civil liabilities under the Securities Act.
 
 
                                     II-2
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
 NUMBER                          DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
 -------                         -----------------------
 <C>     <S>
   1     Form of Purchase Agreement.
   4.1   Certificate of Trust of TCI Communications Financing III (incorporated
          herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registration Statement on
          Form S-3, No. 33-64525, of TCI Communications, Inc., TCI
          Communications Financing I, TCI Communications Financing II, TCI
          Communications Financing III and TCI Communications Financing IV
          (collectively, the "Filers")).
   4.2   Certificate of Trust of TCI Communications Financing IV (incorporated
          herein by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Registration Statement on
          Form S-3, No. 33-64525, of the Filers).
   4.3   Certificate of Trust of TCI Communications Financing V.
   4.4   Certificate of Trust of TCI Communications Financing VI.
   4.5   Declaration of Trust of TCI Communications Financing III (incorporated
          herein by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the Registration Statement on
          Form S-3, No. 33-64525, of the Filers).
   4.6   Declaration of Trust of TCI Communications Financing IV (incorporated
          herein by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the Registration Statement on
          Form S-3, No. 33-64525, of the Filers).
   4.7   Declaration of Trust of TCI Communications Financing V.
   4.8   Declaration of Trust of TCI Communications Financing VI.
   4.9   Form of Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of TCI
          Communications Financing III (incorporated herein by reference to
          Exhibit 4.11 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3, No. 33-64525,
          of the Filers).
   4.10  Form of Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of TCI
          Communications Financing IV (incorporated herein by reference to
          Exhibit 4.12 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3, No. 33-64525,
          of the Filers).
   4.11  Form of Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of TCI
          Communications Financing V.
   4.12  Form of Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of TCI
          Communications Financing VI.
   4.13  Indenture between TCI Communications, Inc. and the Bank of New York,
          as Trustee, dated as of January 29, 1996.
   4.14  Form of Third Supplemental Indenture to Indenture to be used in
          connection with the issuance of the Subordinated Debt Securities.
   4.15  Form of Guarantee Agreement with respect to Preferred Securities of
          TCI Communications Financing III (incorporated herein by reference to
          Exhibit 4.17 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3, No. 33-64525,
          of the Filers).
   4.16  Form of Guarantee Agreement with respect to Preferred Securities of
          TCI Communications Financing IV (incorporated herein by reference to
          Exhibit 4.18 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3, No. 33-64525,
          of the Filers).
   4.17  Form of Guarantee Agreement with respect to Preferred Securities of
          TCI Communications Financing V.
   4.18  Form of Guarantee Agreement with respect to Preferred Securities of
          TCI Communications Financing VI.
   4.19  Form of Guarantee Agreement with respect to Common Securities of TCI
          Communications Financing III (incorporated herein by reference to
          Exhibit 4.21 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3, No. 33-64525,
          of the Filers).
   4.20  Form of Guarantee Agreement with respect to Common Securities of TCI
          Communications Financing IV (incorporated herein by reference to
          Exhibit 4.22 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3, No. 33-64525,
          of the Filers).
   4.21  Form of Guarantee Agreement with respect to Common Securities of TCI
          Communications Financing V.
   4.22  Form of Guarantee Agreement with respect to Common Securities of TCI
          Communications Financing VI.
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
 NUMBER                          DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
 -------                         -----------------------
 <C>     <S>
  *5.1   Opinion of Baker & Botts, L.L.P. regarding the legality of the
          securities being registered.
  *5.2   Opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. regarding the validity
          under Delaware law of the securities being registered.
  *8     Opinion of Baker & Botts, L.L.P. regarding certain tax matters.
   12    Calculation of Ratios of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and
          Preferred Stock Dividends of the Company.
   23.1  Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP.
   23.2  Consent of KPMG Finsterbusch Pickenhayn Sibille.
   23.3  Consent of Price Waterhouse, LLP.
  *23.4  Consent of Baker & Botts, L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1 and Exhibit
          8).
  *23.5  Consent of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. (included in Exhibit 5.2)
   24    Powers of Attorney (included on pages II-9 to II-13).
   25.1  Statement of Eligibility of The Bank of New York, as Trustee for the
          Indenture, on Form T-1.
   25.2  Statement of Eligibility of The Bank of New York, as Trustee for
          Preferred Securities of TCI Communications Financing III, on Form T-
          1.
   25.3  Statement of Eligibility of The Bank of New York, as Trustee for
          Preferred Securities of TCI Communications Financing IV, on Form T-1.
   25.4  Statement of Eligibility of The Bank of New York, as Trustee for
          Preferred Securities of TCI Communications Financing V, on Form T-1.
   25.5  Statement of Eligibility of The Bank of New York, as Trustee for
          Preferred Securities of TCI Communications Financing VI, on Form T-1.
   25.6  Statement of Eligibility of The Bank of New York, as Trustee for
          Guarantee of Preferred Securities of TCI Communications Financing
          III, on Form T-1.
   25.7  Statement of Eligibility of The Bank of New York, as Trustee for
          Guarantee of Preferred Securities of TCI Communications Financing IV,
          on Form T-1.
   25.8  Statement of Eligibility of The Bank of New York, as Trustee for
          Guarantee of Preferred Securities of TCI Communications Financing V,
          on Form T-1.
   25.9  Statement of Eligibility of The Bank of New York, as Trustee for
          Guarantee of Preferred Securities of TCI Communications Financing VI,
          on Form T-1.
</TABLE>
- --------
* To be filed by amendment.
 
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.
 
THE UNDERSIGNED REGISTRANTS HEREBY UNDERTAKE:
 
    (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, individually or in the
    aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
    in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
    increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total
    dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
    registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
    maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of the prospectus
    filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate,
    the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in
    the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
    Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement; and
 
 
      (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) do not apply if 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.
 
    (4) 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 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.
 
    (5) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
  1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of
  a registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form
  of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or
  497 (h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this
  registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
    (6) For the purposes of determining any liability under the Securities
  Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of
  prospectus 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.
 
  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the provisions described under Item 15 above, or
otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is,
 
                                     II-5
<PAGE>
 
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 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 Registrants 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 whether such indemnification
by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
                                     II-6
<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-3 AND HAS DULY CAUSED THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO
DULY AUTHORIZED, IN THE CITY OF GREENWOOD VILLAGE, STATE OF COLORADO, ON
NOVEMBER 27, 1996.
 
                                          TCI Communications, Inc.
 
                                                   /s/ Stephen M. Brett
                                          By: _________________________________
                                                  Name: Stephen M. Brett
                                               Title: Senior Vice President
 
  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-3 AND HAS DULY CAUSED THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO
DULY AUTHORIZED, IN THE CITY OF GREENWOOD VILLAGE, STATE OF COLORADO, ON
NOVEMBER 27, 1996.
 
                                          TCI Communications Financing III
 
                                                   /s/ Stephen M. Brett
                                          By: _________________________________
                                                  Name: Stephen M. Brett
                                                      Title: Trustee
 
                                                 /s/ Bernard W. Schotters
                                          By: _________________________________
                                                Name: Bernard W. Schotters
                                                      Title: Trustee
 
  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-3 AND HAS DULY CAUSED THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO
DULY AUTHORIZED, IN THE CITY OF GREENWOOD VILLAGE, STATE OF COLORADO, ON
NOVEMBER 27, 1996.
 
                                          TCI Communications Financing IV
 
                                                   /s/ Stephen M. Brett
                                          By: _________________________________
                                                  Name: Stephen M. Brett
                                                      Title: Trustee
 
 
                                                 /s/ Bernard W. Schotters
                                          By: _________________________________
                                                Name: Bernard W. Schotters
                                                      Title: Trustee
 
  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-3 AND HAS DULY CAUSED THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO
DULY AUTHORIZED, IN THE CITY OF GREENWOOD VILLAGE, STATE OF COLORADO, ON
NOVEMBER 27, 1996.
 
                                          TCI Communications Financing V
 
                                                   /s/ Stephen M. Brett
                                          By: _________________________________
                                                  Name: Stephen M. Brett
                                                      Title: Trustee
 
                                                 /s/ Bernard W. Schotters
                                          By: _________________________________
                                                Name: Bernard W. Schotters
                                                      Title: Trustee
 
 
                                      II-7
<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-3 AND HAS DULY CAUSED THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO
DULY AUTHORIZED, IN THE CITY OF GREENWOOD VILLAGE, STATE OF COLORADO, ON
NOVEMBER 27, 1996.
 
                                          TCI Communications Financing VI
 
                                                   /s/ Stephen M. Brett
                                          By: _________________________________
                                                  Name: Stephen M. Brett
                                                      Title: Trustee
 
                                                 /s/ Bernard W. Schotters
                                          By: _________________________________
                                                Name: Bernard W. Schotters
                                                      Title: Trustee
 
 
                                      II-8
<PAGE>
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
  KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints Stephen M. Brett, Esq. and Pamela L. Coe, Esq.
and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full
power of substitution and re-substitution for him and in his name, place and
stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or 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 or necessary to be done in and about
the premises, to all intents and purposes and as fully as they might or could
do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact
and agents or their substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.
 
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS (WHICH PERSONS
CONSTITUTE A MAJORITY OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS) IN THE CAPACITIES AND ON THE
DATES INDICATED:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               SIGNATURE                          TITLE                   DATE
               ---------                          -----                   ----
 <C>                                    <S>                        <C>
           /s/ John C. Malone           Chairman of the Board        November 27, 1996
 ______________________________________  and Director of 
            (JOHN C. MALONE)             TCI Communications, Inc. 
                                              
          /s/ Donne F. Fisher           Director of TCI              November 27, 1996
 ______________________________________  Communications, Inc.
           (DONNE F. FISHER)

            /s/ Kim Magness             Director of TCI              November 27, 1996
 ______________________________________  Communications, Inc.
             (KIM MAGNESS)

          /s/ John W. Gallivan          Director of TCI             November  27, 1996
 ______________________________________  Communications, Inc.
           (JOHN W. GALLIVAN)

        /s/ Brendan R. Clouston         President and Chief          November 27, 1996
 ______________________________________  Executive Officer of 
         (BRENDAN R. CLOUSTON)           TCI Cmmunications, Inc. 
                                         (Principal Executive    
                                         Officer)                 
                                         
        /s/ Bernard W. Schotters        Senior Vice President of     November 27, 1996
 ______________________________________  TCI Communications,
         (BERNARD W. SCHOTTERS)          Inc. (Principal
                                         Financial Officer)

          /s/ Gary K. Bracken           Senior Vice President        November 27, 1996
 ______________________________________  and  Controller of TCI    
           (GARY K. BRACKEN)             Communications, Inc. 
                                         (Principal Accounting
                                         Officer)              
                                         
</TABLE>
 
                                     II-9
<PAGE>
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
  KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, THAT EACH PERSON WHOSE SIGNATURE APPEARS
BELOW CONSTITUTES AND APPOINTS LIS SHELTON AND PAMELA L. COE, ESQ. AND EACH OF
THEM, HIS TRUE AND LAWFUL ATTORNEYS-IN-FACT AND AGENTS WITH FULL POWER OF
SUBSTITUTION AND RE-SUBSTITUTION FOR HIM AND IN HIS NAME, PLACE AND STEAD, IN
ANY AND ALL CAPACITIES, TO SIGN ANY OR 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 OR NECESSARY TO BE DONE IN AND ABOUT THE
PREMISES, TO ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES AND AS FULLY AS THEY MIGHT OR COULD DO
IN PERSON, HEREBY RATIFYING AND CONFIRMING ALL THAT SAID ATTORNEYS-IN-FACT AND
AGENTS OR THEIR SUBSTITUTES MAY LAWFULLY DO OR CAUSE TO BE DONE BY VIRTUE
HEREOF.
 
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THE
CAPACITIES AND ON THE DATES INDICATED:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               SIGNATURE                     TITLE              DATE
               ---------                     -----              ----
 <C>                                    <S>               <C>
          /s/ Stephen M. Brett          Trustee of TCI     November 27, 1996
 ______________________________________  Communications
           (STEPHEN M. BRETT)            Financing III

        /s/ Bernard W. Schotters        Trustee of TCI     November 27, 1996
 ______________________________________  Communications
         (BERNARD W. SCHOTTERS)          Financing III
</TABLE>
 
                                     II-10
<PAGE>
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
  KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints Lis Shelton and Pamela L. Coe, Esq. and each of
them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of
substitution and re-substitution for him and in his name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign any or 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 or necessary to be done in and about the
premises, to all intents and purposes and as fully as they might or could do
in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents or their substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.
 
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THE
CAPACITIES AND ON THE DATES INDICATED:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               SIGNATURE                            TITLE                     DATE
               ---------                            -----                     ----
 <C>                                    <S>                             <C>
          /s/ Stephen M. Brett          Trustee of TCI Communications     November 27, 1996
 ______________________________________  Financing IV                         
           (STEPHEN M. BRETT)

        /s/ Bernard W. Schotters        Trustee of TCI Communications     November 27, 1996
 ______________________________________  Financing IV                         
         (BERNARD W. SCHOTTERS)

</TABLE>
 
                                     II-11
<PAGE>
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
  KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints Lis Shelton and Pamela L. Coe, Esq. and each of
them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of
substitution and re-substitution for him and in his name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign any or 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 or necessary to be done in and about the
premises, to all intents and purposes and as fully as they might or could do
in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents or their substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.
 
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THE
CAPACITIES AND ON THE DATES INDICATED:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               SIGNATURE                     TITLE                 DATE
               ---------                     -----                 ----
 <C>                                    <S>               <C>
          /s/ Stephen M. Brett          Trustee of TCI    November 27, 1996
 ______________________________________  Communications
           (STEPHEN M. BRETT)            Financing V

        /s/ Bernard W. Schotters        Trustee of TCI    November 27, 1996
 ______________________________________  Communications
         (BERNARD W. SCHOTTERS)          Financing V
</TABLE>
 
                                     II-12
<PAGE>
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
  KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints Lis Shelton and Pamela L. Coe, Esq. and each of
them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of
substitution and re-substitution for him and in his name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign any or 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 or necessary to be done in and about the
premises, to all intents and purposes and as fully as they might or could do
in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents or their substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.
 
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THE
CAPACITIES AND ON THE DATES INDICATED:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               SIGNATURE                     TITLE              DATE
               ---------                     -----              ----
 <C>                                    <S>               <C>
          /s/ Stephen M. Brett          Trustee of TCI    November 27, 1996
 ______________________________________  Communications
           (STEPHEN M. BRETT)            Financing VI

        /s/ Bernard W. Schotters        Trustee of TCI    November 27, 1996
 ______________________________________  Communications
         (BERNARD W. SCHOTTERS)          Financing VI
</TABLE>
 
                                     II-13
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
 
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
                                ---------------
 
                                    EXHIBITS
 
                                       TO
 
                                    FORM S-3
 
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
 
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
 
                                ---------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>                             <C>
         TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.                      DELAWARE                 84-0588868
     TCI COMMUNICATIONS FINANCING III                  DELAWARE                 84-6289177
      TCI COMMUNICATIONS FINANCING IV                  DELAWARE                 84-6289178
      TCI COMMUNICATIONS FINANCING  V                  DELAWARE             TO BE APPLIED FOR
      TCI COMMUNICATIONS FINANCING VI                  DELAWARE             TO BE APPLIED FOR
         (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT          (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF  (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
       AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)          INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) IDENTIFICATION NO.)
</TABLE>
 
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT                                                                   PAGE
 NUMBER                            DESCRIPTION                             NO.
 -------                           -----------                             ----
 <C>     <S>                                                               <C>
   1     Form of Purchase Agreement.
   4.1   Certificate of Trust of TCI Communications Financing III
          (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the
          Registration Statement on Form S-3, No. 33-64525, of TCI
          Communications, Inc., TCI Communications Financing I, TCI
          Communications Financing II, TCI Communications Financing III
          and TCI Communications Financing IV (collectively, the
          "Filers")).
   4.2   Certificate of Trust of TCI Communications Financing IV
          (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the
          Registration Statement on Form S-3, No. 33-64525, of the
          Filers).
   4.3   Certificate of Trust of TCI Communications Financing V.
   4.4   Certificate of Trust of TCI Communications Financing VI.
   4.5   Declaration of Trust of TCI Communications Financing III
          (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the
          Registration Statement on Form S-3, No. 33-64525, of the
          Filers).
   4.6   Declaration of Trust of TCI Communications Financing IV
          (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the
          Registration Statement on Form S-3, No. 33-64525, of the
          Filers).
   4.7   Declaration of Trust of TCI Communications Financing V.
   4.8   Declaration of Trust of TCI Communications Financing VI.
   4.9   Form of Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of TCI
          Communications Financing III (incorporated herein by reference
          to Exhibit 4.11 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3,
          No. 33-64525, of the Filers).
   4.10  Form of Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of TCI
          Communications Financing IV (incorporated herein by reference
          to Exhibit 4.12 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3,
          No. 33-64525, of the Filers).
   4.11  Form of Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of TCI
          Communications Financing V.
   4.12  Form of Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of TCI
          Communications Financing VI.
   4.13  Indenture between TCI Communications, Inc. and the Bank of New
          York, as Trustee III, dated as of January 29, 1996.
   4.14  Form of Third Supplemental Indenture to Indenture to be used in
          connection with the issuance of the Subordinated Debt
          Securities.
   4.15  Form of Guarantee Agreement with respect to Preferred
          Securities of TCI Communications Financing III (incorporated
          herein by reference to Exhibit 4.17 to the Registration
          Statement on Form S-3, No. 33-64525, of the Filers).
   4.16  Form of Guarantee Agreement with respect to Preferred
          Securities of TCI Communications Financing IV (incorporated
          herein by reference to Exhibit 4.18 to the Registration
          Statement on Form S-3, No. 33-64525, of the Filers).
   4.17  Form of Guarantee Agreement with respect to Preferred
          Securities of TCI Communications Financing V.
   4.18  Form of Guarantee Agreement with respect to Preferred
          Securities of TCI Communications Financing VI.
   4.19  Form of Guarantee Agreement with respect to Common Securities
          of TCI Communications Financing III (incorporated herein by
          reference to Exhibit 4.21 to the Registration Statement on
          Form S-3, No. 33-64525, of the Filers).
   4.20  Form of Guarantee Agreement with respect to Common Securities
          of TCI Communications Financing IV (incorporated herein by
          reference to Exhibit 4.22 to the Registration Statement on
          Form S-3, No. 33-64525, of the Filers).
   4.21  Form of Guarantee Agreement with respect to Common Securities
          of TCI Communications Financing V.
   4.22  Form of Guarantee Agreement with respect to Common Securities
          of TCI Communications Financing VI.
  *5.1   Opinion of Baker & Botts, L.L.P. regarding the legality of the
          securities being registered.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT                                                                   PAGE
 NUMBER                            DESCRIPTION                             NO.
 -------                           -----------                             ----
 <C>     <S>                                                               <C>
  *5.2   Opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. regarding the
          validity under Delaware law of the securities being
          registered.
  *8     Opinion of Baker & Botts, L.L.P. regarding certain tax matters.
   12    Calculation of Ratios of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and
          Preferred Stock Dividends of the Company.
   23.1  Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP.
   23.2  Consent of KPMG Finsterbusch Pickenhayn Sibille.
   23.3  Consent of Price Waterhouse, LLP.
  *23.4  Consent of Baker & Botts, L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1 and
          Exhibit 8).
  *23.5  Consent of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. (included in Exhibit
          5.2)
   24    Powers of Attorney (included on pages II-9 to II-13).
   25.1  Statement of Eligibility of The Bank of New York, as Trustee
          for the Indenture, on Form T-1.
   25.2  Statement of Eligibility of The Bank of New York, as Trustee
          for Preferred Securities of TCI Communications Financing III,
          on Form T-1.
   25.3  Statement of Eligibility of The Bank of New York, as Trustee
          for Preferred Securities of TCI Communications Financing IV,
          on Form T-1.
   25.4  Statement of Eligibility of The Bank of New York, as Trustee
          for Preferred Securities of TCI Communications Financing V, on
          Form T-1.
   25.5  Statement of Eligibility of The Bank of New York, as Trustee
          for Preferred Securities of TCI Communications Financing VI,
          on Form T-1.
   25.6  Statement of Eligibility of The Bank of New York, as Trustee
          for Guarantee of Preferred Securities of TCI Communications
          Financing III, on Form T-1.
   25.7  Statement of Eligibility of The Bank of New York, as Trustee
          for Guarantee of Preferred Securities of TCI Communications
          Financing IV, on Form T-1.
   25.8  Statement of Eligibility of The Bank of New York, as Trustee
          for Guarantee of Preferred Securities of TCI Communications
          Financing V, on Form T-1.
   25.9  Statement of Eligibility of The Bank of New York, as Trustee
          for Guarantee of Preferred Securities of TCI Communications
          Financing VI, on Form T-1.
</TABLE>
- --------
* To be filed by amendment.

<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT 1

                       [Form of Underwriting Agreement]

                      _____________ Preferred Securities

                        TCI COMMUNICATIONS FINANCING __
                          (a Delaware Business Trust)

                       ____% Trust Preferred Securities
                (Liquidation Amount $25 per Preferred Security)
          guaranteed to a limited extent by TCI Communications, Inc.

                              PURCHASE AGREEMENT
                              ------------------

                                                            ____________, 1996

[Underwriter]

Dear Sirs:

     Each of TCI Communications Financing __ (the "Trust"), a statutory business
trust formed under the Business Trust Act (the "Delaware Act") of the State of
Delaware and TCI Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
confirms its agreement with ____________ and each of the other Underwriters
named in Schedule A hereto (collectively, the "Underwriters," which term shall
include any underwriter substituted as hereinafter provided in Section 9
hereof), for whom ____________, ____________ and ____________ are acting as
Representatives (in such capacity, the "Representatives"), with respect to the
sale by the Trust and the purchase by the Underwriters, acting severally and not
jointly, of the respective numbers of ___% Trust Preferred Securities
(liquidation amount $25 per preferred security) of the Trust (the "Preferred
Securities") set forth in Schedule A (the "Securities"). The Preferred
Securities will be guaranteed by the Company on a limited basis to the extent
the Trust has funds available therefor pursuant to a Guarantee Agreement to be
dated as of the Closing Date (the "Guarantee").  The aforesaid Securities to be
purchased by the Underwriters, together with the Guarantee, are collectively
hereinafter called the "Offered Securities".
<PAGE>
 
     The entire proceeds from the sale of the Securities will be combined with
the entire proceeds from the sale by the Trust to the Company of its common
securities (the "Common Securities") and will be used by the Trust to purchase
the ___% Subordinated Deferrable Interest Notes due 20__ (the "Subordinated Debt
Securities") of the Company.  The Preferred Securities and the Common Securities
will be issued pursuant to the amended and restated declaration of trust of the
Trust, to be dated as of the Closing Date (the "Declaration"), among the
Company, as Sponsor, the trustees named therein (the "Trustees") and the holders
from time to time of undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust.
The Subordinated Debt Securities will be issued pursuant to an indenture, dated
as of January 29, 1996 (the "Base Indenture"), between the Company and The Bank
of New York, as trustee (the "Debt Trustee"), and a supplement to the Base
Indenture, to be dated as of the Closing Date (the "Supplemental Indenture," and
together with the Base Indenture and any other amendments or supplements
thereto, the "Indenture"), between the Company and the Debt Trustee.

     Prior to the purchase and public offering of the Offered Securities by the
several Underwriters, the Trust, the Company and the Representatives, acting on
behalf of the several Underwriters, shall enter into an agreement substantially
in the form of Exhibit A hereto (the "Pricing Agreement").  The Pricing
Agreement may take the form of an exchange of any standard form of written
telecommunication between the Trust and the Company and the Representatives and
shall specify such applicable information as is indicated in Exhibit A hereto.
The offering of the Offered Securities will be governed by this Agreement, as
supplemented by the Pricing Agreement.  From and after the date of the execution
and delivery of the Pricing Agreement, this Agreement shall be deemed to
incorporate the Pricing Agreement.

     The Trust and the Company understand that the Underwriters propose to make
a public offering of the Offered Securities as soon as the Representatives deem
advisable after the Registration Statement becomes effective and the Pricing
Agreement has been executed and delivered.

     SECTION 1.  Registration Statement and Prospectus. The Trust and the
                 -------------------------------------                   
Company have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") a shelf registration statement on

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
Form S-3 (No. 333-________) and a related preliminary prospectus and preliminary
prospectus supplement relating to the Offered Securities and the Subordinated
Debt Securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"),
have filed such amendments thereto, if any, and such amended preliminary
prospectus or prospectuses and preliminary prospectus supplement or supplements
as may have been required to the date hereof, and will promptly file with the
Commission a prospectus supplement specifically relating to the Offered
Securities pursuant to Rule 424 under the 1933 Act, if necessary.  The
information, if any, included in such prospectus and prospectus supplement that
was omitted from such registration statement at the time it became effective but
that is deemed to be part of such registration statement at the time it became
effective pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 430A is referred to as "Rule 430A
Information".  Each prospectus and prospectus supplement used before such
registration statement became effective, and any prospectus and prospectus
supplement that omitted the Rule 430A Information that was used after such
effectiveness and prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, is
herein called a "preliminary prospectus."  Such registration statement,
including the exhibits thereto, schedules thereto, if any, and the documents
incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the 1933
Act, at the time it became effective and including the Rule 430A Information is
herein called the "Registration Statement."  The final prospectus, including the
documents incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3
under the 1933 Act, in the form first furnished to the Underwriters for use in
connection with the offering of the Securities, is herein called the
"Prospectus."  For purposes of this Agreement, all references to the
Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or any
amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing shall be deemed to include the
copy filed with the Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering,
Analysis and Retrieval system ("EDGAR").

     All references in this Agreement to financial statements and schedules and
other information which is "contained," "included" or "stated" in the
Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or other
references of like import) shall be deemed to mean and include all such
financial statements and schedules and other information which is incorporated
by reference in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or the
Prospectus, as the case may be; and all references in this

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
Agreement to amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement, any
preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to mean and include the
filing of any document under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934
Act") which is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, such
preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus, as the case may be.

     SECTION 2.  Agreements to Sell and Purchase.
                 ------------------------------- 

     (a)  On the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained
and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Trust agrees to
sell to each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, and each Underwriter,
severally and not jointly, agrees to purchase from the Trust, at the price per
Preferred Security set forth in the Pricing Agreement, the number of Securities
set forth in Schedule A opposite the name of such Underwriter (except as
otherwise provided in the Pricing Agreement), plus any additional number of
Initial Securities which such Underwriter may become obligated to purchase
pursuant to the provisions of Section 9 hereof.

     (b)  As compensation to the Underwriters for their commitment hereunder,
and in view of the fact that the proceeds of the sale of the Offered Securities
will be used by the Trust to purchase the Subordinated Debt Securities of the
Company, the Company hereby agrees to pay at the Closing Date and the Date of
Delivery, if any, for the account of the several Underwriters, an amount per
Preferred Security as set forth in the Pricing Agreement.

     SECTION 3.  Delivery and Payment.
                 -------------------- 

     Payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of certificates for, the
Securities to be purchased by the Underwriter shall be made at the offices of
Baker & Botts, L.L.P., 599 Lexington Avenue, Suite 2900, New York, New York
10022, or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Representatives,
the Trust and the Company, at 10:00 A.M. on the third business day following the
date of the Pricing Agreement, or such other time not later than ten business
days after such date as shall be agreed upon by the Representatives, the Trust
and the Company (such time and date of payment and delivery being herein called
the "Closing Date").  Payment shall be made to the Trust by certified or
official bank check or checks drawn in New York Clearing House

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
funds or similar next day funds payable to the order of the Trust against
delivery to the Representatives for the account of the several Underwriters of
the Preferred Securities in book-entry form through the facilities of The
Depository Trust Company.  It is understood that each Underwriter has authorized
the Representatives, for its account, to accept delivery of, receipt for, and
make payment of the purchase price for, the Securities which it has agreed to
purchase.  ____________, individually and not as representative of the
Underwriters, may (but shall not be obligated to) make payment of the purchase
price for the Securities to be purchased by any Underwriter whose check has not
been received by the Closing Date, but such payment shall not relieve such
Underwriter from its obligations hereunder.

     At the Closing Date and the Date of Delivery, if any, the Company will pay,
or cause to be paid, the commission payable at such time to the Underwriters
under Section 2 hereof by certified or official bank check or checks payable to
____________ in New York Clearing House funds or other similar next day funds.

     SECTION 4.  Covenants of the Trust and the Company.  Each of the Trust and
                 --------------------------------------                        
the Company, jointly and severally, covenants with each Underwriter as follows:

          (a)  The Trust and the Company, subject to Section 4(c), will comply
     with the requirements of Rule 430A, if applicable, and will notify the
     Underwriters immediately, and confirm the notice in writing, (1) of the
     effectiveness of any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement
     and of the filing of any amended Prospectus pursuant to Rule 430A, if
     applicable, or Rule 424(b), (2) of any comments of the Commission regarding
     the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (or any of the documents
     incorporated by reference therein) or of any request by the Commission for
     amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus
     or for additional information, (3) of the issuance by the Commission of any
     stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, any
     order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus or the
     initiation or threatening of any proceedings for that purpose, (4) of the
     receipt by the Trust or the Company of any notification with respect to the
     suspension of the qualification of the Offered Securities for offer or sale
     in any jurisdiction or the

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
     initiation or threatening of any proceedings for such purpose and (5) of
     the happening of any event during the period mentioned in paragraph (d)
     below which makes any statement of a material fact made in the Registration
     Statement or the Prospectus (as theretofore amended or supplemented) untrue
     or which requires the making of any changes in the Registration Statement
     or the Prospectus (as theretofore amended or supplemented) in order to make
     the statements therein, in light of the circumstances when the Prospectus
     is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading.  The Trust and the Company
     will use their reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance of any order
     suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any order
     preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus or
     suspending the qualification of the Offered Securities for offer or sale in
     any jurisdiction, and if any such order is issued, the Trust and the
     Company will make every reasonable effort to obtain the withdrawal of such
     order at the earliest possible time.

          (b) To furnish to each of the Underwriters, without charge, one signed
     copy of the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment
     thereto, including all financial statements and schedules, exhibits and
     documents incorporated therein by reference (including exhibits
     incorporated therein by reference to the extent not previously furnished to
     the Underwriters) and to deliver to the Underwriters the number of
     conformed copies of the Registration Statement and any post-effective
     amendment thereto, excluding exhibits, as the Underwriters or their counsel
     may reasonably request.

          (c)  To give the Representatives advance notice of their intention to
     file any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the
     Prospectus with respect to the Offered Securities, and not to file any such
     amendment or supplement to which the Representatives shall reasonably
     object in writing.

          (d)  During the period of time that the Prospectus is required by law
     to be delivered, to deliver to each Underwriter, without charge, as many
     copies of the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto as such
     Underwriter may reasonably request.  Each of the Trust and the Company
     consents to the use of the Prospectus or any amendment or

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
     supplement thereto by the several Underwriters and by all dealers to whom
     the Offered Securities may be sold, both in connection with the offering or
     sale of the Offered Securities and for such period of time thereafter as
     the Prospectus is required by law to be delivered in connection therewith.
     If during such period of time any event shall occur which in the judgment
     of the Trust or the Company should be set forth (or incorporated by
     reference) in the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in
     light of the circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser,
     not misleading, or if it is necessary to supplement or amend the Prospectus
     to comply with law, the Trust and the Company will forthwith prepare and
     duly file with the Commission an appropriate supplement or amendment
     thereto, and shall in any event forthwith file all reports and any
     definitive proxy statement or information statement required to be filed by
     the Trust or the Company with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 14
     of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act")
     subsequent to the date of the Prospectus, and will deliver to each
     Underwriter, without charge, such number of copies thereof as such
     Underwriter may reasonably request.  If during such period of time any
     event shall occur which in the judgment of the Representatives should be so
     set forth in the Prospectus, or which in the judgment of the
     Representatives makes it necessary to so supplement or amend the
     Prospectus, the Trust and the Company will consult with the Representatives
     concerning the necessity of filing with the Commission a supplement or
     amendment to the Prospectus or a report pursuant to Section 13 or 14 of the
     1934 Act.

          (e)  Prior to any public offering of any Offered Securities by the
     Underwriters, to cooperate with the Representatives and counsel retained by
     the Representatives in connection with the registration or qualification of
     the Offered Securities (and any securities issuable upon conversion or
     exercise of the Offered Securities) for offer and sale under the securities
     or Blue Sky laws of, and the determination of the eligibility of Offered
     Securities for investment under the laws of, such jurisdictions as the
     Underwriter may request; provided, that in no event shall either the Trust
     or the Company be obligated to qualify to do business as a foreign limited
     partnership or corporation, as the case may be, or as a securities dealer
     in any jurisdiction

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
     where it is not now so qualified, to conform its capitalization or the
     composition of its assets to the securities or Blue Sky laws of any
     jurisdiction or to take any action which would subject it to taxation or
     general service of process in any jurisdiction where it is not now so
     subject. The Company will pay all reasonable fees and expenses (including
     reasonable counsel fees and expenses) relating to registration or
     qualification of Offered Securities (and any securities issuable upon
     conversion or exercise of any Offered Securities) under such securities or
     Blue Sky laws and in connection with the determination of the eligibility
     of Offered Securities for investment under the laws of such jurisdictions
     as the Representatives may designate.  In each jurisdiction in which the
     Offered Securities have been so qualified, the Trust and the Company will
     file such statements and reports as may be required by the laws of such
     jurisdiction to continue such qualification in effect for so long as may be
     required in connection with the distribution of the Offered Securities.

          (f) To make generally available to their security holders and to each
     Underwriter the consolidated earnings statements (which need not be
     audited) that satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the 1933 Act and
     Rule 158 thereunder.

          (g)  If, at the time that the Registration Statement became effective,
     any information was omitted therefrom in reliance upon Rule 430A of the
     1933 Act Regulations, then, immediately following the execution of the
     Pricing Agreement, to prepare, and file or transmit for filing with the
     Commission in accordance with such Rule 430A and Rule 424(b) of the 1933
     Act Regulations, copies of each amended Prospectus, or, if required by such
     Rule 430A, a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement
     (including any amended Prospectus), containing all information so omitted.

          (h) The Company shall pay or cause to be paid the following: (1) all
     costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, printing
     and filing of the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the
     Prospectus and any legal investment memorandum and Blue Sky memorandum as

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
     contemplated by Section 4(e), (2) any filing fees incident to any required
     review by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. of the terms
     of the sale of the Offered Securities, (3) any fees charged by securities
     rating agencies for rating any of the Offered Securities, (4) all costs and
     expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, issuance and delivery
     of the Offered Securities (other than transfer taxes) and the execution and
     delivery of the Indenture, (5) all costs and expenses incurred in
     connection with furnishing such copies of the Registration Statement, the
     Prospectus and any preliminary prospectus, and all amendments and
     supplements thereto, as may be requested for use in connection with the
     offering and sale of Offered Securities by dealers to whom Offered
     Securities may be sold, (6) the fees and expenses incurred in connection
     with the registration of the Offered Securities under the 1934 Act and (7)
     the fees and expenses of the transfer agent for the Preferred Securities,
     if any.

          (i) If this Agreement is terminated by the Representatives because any
     condition to the obligations of the Underwriters set forth in Section 7
     hereof is not satisfied or because of any failure or refusal on the part of
     the Trust or the Company to comply with the terms of this Agreement or the
     applicable Pricing Agreement, or if for any reason either of the Trust or
     the Company shall be unable to perform its obligations herein or therein,
     the Company will reimburse the several Underwriters, for all out-of-pocket
     expenses (including the fees and expenses of counsel retained by the
     Underwriters) reasonably incurred by the Underwriters in connection
     herewith.  Neither the Trust nor the Company, however, will be liable to
     any of the Underwriters for damages on account of loss of anticipated
     profits.

          (j) During a period of 30 days from the date of the Pricing Agreement,
     neither the Trust nor the Company will, without prior written consent of
     the Representatives, directly or indirectly, sell, offer to sell, contract
     to sell, grant any option for the sale of, or otherwise dispose of, any
     Preferred Securities, any security convertible into or exchangeable into or
     exercisable for, Preferred Securities or Subordinated Debt Securities or
     any debt securities substantially similar to the Subordinated Debt
     Securities or any equity securities, substantially similar to the Preferred

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
     Securities, except for the Subordinated Debt Securities and Preferred
     Securities offered hereby.

          (k) To use every reasonable effort to effect and maintain the listing
     of the Preferred Securities on the New York Stock Exchange and to file with
     the New York Stock Exchange all documents and notices required by the New
     York Stock Exchange of companies that have securities quoted on such
     exchange.

     SECTION 5.  Representations and Warranties.  (a)  Each of the Trust and the
                 ------------------------------                                 
Company, jointly and severally, represents and warrants to each Underwriter as
of the date hereof and as of the date of the Pricing Agreement (such latter date
being hereinafter referred to as the "Representation Date") as follows:

          (1) The documents incorporated by reference in the Registration
     Statement and the Prospectus, when they were filed (or, if an amendment
     with respect to any such document was filed, when such amendment was filed)
     with the Commission, conformed in all material respects to the requirements
     of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"), and
     the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder, and any
     further documents so filed and incorporated by reference will, when they
     are filed with the Commission, conform in all material respects to the
     requirements of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations of the
     Commission promulgated thereunder; none of such documents, when it was
     filed (or, if an amendment with respect to any such document was filed,
     when such amendment was filed), contained an untrue statement of a material
     fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
     necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances
     under which they were made, not misleading; and no such further document,
     when it is filed, will contain an untrue statement of a material fact or
     will omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
     necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances
     under which they are made, not misleading.

          (2) The Trust and the Company jointly meet the registrant requirements
     and the transaction requirements for use of Form S-3 under the 1933 Act in
     connection with the

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
     offering of the Offered Securities.  The Registration Statement has become
     effective under the 1933 Act and no stop order suspending the effectiveness
     of the Registration Statement has been issued under the 1933 Act, and no
     proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to the
     knowledge of the Trust or the Company, are contemplated by the Commission,
     and any request on the part of the Commission for additional information
     has been complied with.

          At the respective times the Registration Statement and any post-
     effective amendments thereto became effective and at the Closing Date, the
     Registration Statement and any amendments and supplements thereto complied
     and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933
     Act and the 1933 Act Regulations and did not and will not contain an untrue
     statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to
     be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
     misleading.  Neither the Prospectus nor any amendments or supplements
     thereto, at the time of filing thereof with the Commission, included or
     will include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or will omit
     to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein,
     in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
     misleading.  The representations and warranties in this subsection shall
     not apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement or
     Prospectus made in reliance upon and in conformity with information
     furnished to the Trust or the Company in writing by any Underwriter through
     the Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement or
     Prospectus or to that part of the Registration Statement which consists of
     the Statements of Eligibility and Qualification on Form T-1 under the Trust
     Indenture Act of The Bank of New York.

          Each preliminary prospectus and the prospectus filed as part of the
     Registration Statement as originally filed or as part of any amendment
     thereto, or filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the 1933 Act, complied when so
     filed in all material respects with the 1933 Act Regulations, if
     applicable, and each preliminary prospectus and the Prospectus delivered to
     the Underwriters for use in connection with this offering was

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
     identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the
     Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation
     S-T.

          (3) This Agreement has been, and as of the date thereof, the Pricing
     Agreement will have been, duly authorized, executed and delivered by the
     Company.

          (4) The Trust has been duly created and is validly existing in good
     standing as a business trust under the Delaware Act; all filings required
     under the laws of the State of Delaware with respect to the creation and
     valid existence of the Trust as a business trust have been made; under the
     Delaware Act and the Declaration, the Trust has the business trust power
     and authority to (x) own property and conduct its business, all as
     described in the Prospectus, (y) enter into and perform its obligations
     under this Agreement, and (z) issue and perform its obligations under the
     Preferred Securities and the Common Securities and is not required to be
     authorized to do business in any other jurisdiction;  the Trust is not a
     party to or otherwise bound by any agreement other than those described in
     the Prospectus;  the Trust does not have any consolidated or unconsolidated
     subsidiaries;  and the Trust is and will be treated as a consolidated
     subsidiary of the Company pursuant to generally accepted accounting
     principles.

          (5) The Declaration has been duly and validly authorized by the
     Company and, when executed and delivered by the Company and the Trustees at
     the Closing Date, and assuming due authorization, execution and delivery
     thereof by the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee (as such terms are
     defined in the Declaration), will be the valid and binding obligation of
     the Company and the Trustees, enforceable against the Company and the
     Trustees in accordance with its terms, subject as to enforcement to
     bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of
     general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to
     general equity principles (regardless of whether the issue of
     enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity);  and, at
     the Closing Date, the Declaration will have been duly qualified under the
     Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act").

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
          (6)  Under the Delaware Act and the Declaration, the execution and
     delivery by the Trust of this Agreement and the Pricing Agreement, and the
     performance by the Trust of its obligations thereunder, have been duly
     authorized by all necessary business trust action on the part of the Trust;
     and this Agreement has been, and as of the date thereof the Pricing
     Agreement will have been, duly executed and delivered by the Trust under
     the law of Delaware.

          (7)  The Common Securities have been duly authorized by the Original
     Declaration (as defined in the Declaration) and, when issued and delivered
     by the Trust to the Company against payment therefor in accordance with the
     Declaration, will be validly issued and fully paid and nonassessable
     undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust; and under the
     Delaware Act and the Declaration, the issuance of the Common Securities
     will not be subject to preemptive rights.

          (8)  The Preferred Securities have been duly authorized by the
     Original Declaration and, when issued and delivered by the Trust in
     accordance with the Declaration to the Underwriters and paid for in
     accordance with this Agreement, will be validly issued, and fully paid and
     nonassessable undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust;
     the holders of the Preferred Securities, as beneficial owners of the Trust,
     will be entitled to the same limitation of personal liability as that
     extended to stockholders of private corporations for profit organized under
     the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware; under the Delaware
     Act and the Declaration, the issuance of the Preferred Securities will not
     be subject to preemptive rights; and the Preferred Securities conform to
     the description thereof in the Prospectus.

          (9)  At the Closing Date, all of the issued and outstanding Common
     Securities of the Trust will be directly owned by the Company free and
     clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim
     or equity.

          (10) At the Closing Date, the Property Trustee will be the record
     holder of Subordinated Debt Securities and no security interest, mortgage,
     pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or equity will be noted thereon or on the
     register.

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
          (11) The Guarantee has been duly and validly authorized by the Company
     and, when executed and delivered by the Company at the Closing Date, will
     constitute a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company enforceable
     in accordance with its terms, subject as to enforcement to bankruptcy,
     insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general
     applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to general
     equity principles (regardless of whether the issue of enforceability is
     considered in a proceeding at law or in equity); at the Closing Date, the
     Guarantee will have been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act;  and
     the Guarantee conforms to the description thereof contained in the
     Prospectus.

          (12) The Indenture has been duly and validly authorized by the Company
     and, when executed and delivered by the Company at the Closing Date and,
     assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the Debt Trustee, at
     such Closing Date will constitute a valid and legally binding agreement of
     the Company enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject as to
     enforcement to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other
     laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights
     and to general equity principles (regardless of whether the issue of
     enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity); and at
     the Closing Date, the Indenture will have been duly qualified under the
     Trust Indenture Act.

          (13) The Subordinated Debt Securities have been duly and validly
     authorized by the Company and, when executed and authenticated in
     accordance with the terms of the Indenture and delivered to and paid for by
     the Trust in accordance with the Declaration, will constitute valid and
     legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with
     their terms, subject as to enforcement to bankruptcy, insolvency,
     reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general applicability relating
     to or affecting creditors' rights and to general equity principles
     (regardless of whether the issue of enforceability is considered in a
     proceeding at law or in equity);  and the Subordinated Debt Securities
     conform to the description thereof contained in the Prospectus.

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
          (14) The issuance and sale of the Preferred Securities by the Trust
     and the performance by the Trust of its obligations under this Agreement
     and the Pricing Agreement will not conflict with, result in a breach of any
     of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, the
     Declaration or any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust or other material
     agreement or instrument to which the Trust is now a party or by which it is
     bound, or any order of any court or governmental agency or authority
     entered in any proceeding to which the Trust was or is now a party or by
     which it is bound.

          (15) The issuance and sale of the Offered Securities and the
     Subordinated Debt Securities and the performance by each of the Company or
     the Trust, as the case may be, of its respective obligations under the
     terms of this Agreement, the Pricing Agreement, the Guarantee, the
     Indenture and the Declaration will not conflict with, result in a breach of
     any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, the
     Company's charter or by-laws, or any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust or
     other material agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its
     "significant subsidiaries" (as such term is defined in Rule 1.02(v) of
     Regulations S-X) is now a party or by which it is bound, or any order of
     any court or governmental agency or authority entered in any proceeding to
     which the Company or any of its significant subsidiaries was or is now a
     party or by which it is bound.

          (16) No authorization, approval, consent or order of any Delaware
     court or governmental authority or agency is required to be obtained by the
     Trust solely in connection with the issuance and sale of the Common
     Securities and the Preferred Securities or the purchase by the Trust of the
     Subordinated Debt Securities.

          (17) The accountants who certified the financial statements and
     supporting schedules incorporated by reference in the Registration
     Statement are independent public accountants as required by the 1933 Act
     and the 1933 Act Regulations.

          (18) Except to the extent set forth in the Prospectus, neither the
     Trust nor the Company has received any notice of, nor does it have any
     actual knowledge of, any failure by it

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
     or, in the case of the Company, any of its significant subsidiaries to be
     in substantial compliance with all existing statutes and regulations
     applicable to it or, in the case of the Company, such subsidiaries, which
     failure would materially and adversely affect the conduct of the business
     of the Trust or of the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as a whole.

          (19) The statements set forth in the Prospectus under the caption
     "Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences," insofar as they purport to
     describe the provisions of the law referred to therein, are accurate and
     complete in all material respects.

          (20) The Trust will be classified as a "grantor trust" for United
     States federal income tax purposes and is not and will not be classified as
     an association taxable as a partnership or a corporation for United States
     federal income tax purposes under federal income tax laws as currently in
     effect.

          (21) Neither the Trust nor the Company is an "investment company"
     within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and
     neither the Trust nor the Company is subject to regulation under such Act.

     (b)  Any certificate signed by any Regular Trustee of the Trust or officer
of the Company and delivered to the Representatives or to counsel for the
Underwriters pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be deemed a
representation and warranty by the Trust or the Company, as the case may be, to
the Underwriters as to the matters covered thereby.

     SECTION 6.  Indemnification.  Each of the Trust and the Company agrees,
                 ---------------                                            
jointly and severally, to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, and each
person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of either
Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and against any
and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including reasonable
costs of investigation) arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration
Statement or the Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any
preliminary prospectus, or arising out of or based upon any omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or expenses arise out of or are based upon any such untrue
statement or omission or allegation thereof based upon information furnished in
writing to the Trust or the Company by any Underwriter through the
Representatives expressly for use therein; provided, however, that neither the
Trust nor the Company shall indemnify any Underwriter or any person who controls
any such Underwriter from any such losses, claims, damages or liabilities
alleged by any person who purchased Offered Securities from such Underwriter if
the untrue statement, omission or allegation thereof upon which such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities are based was made in: (i) any preliminary
prospectus, if a copy of the Prospectus (as then amended or supplemented if the
Company shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto) was not sent
or given by or on behalf of such Underwriter to such person at or prior to the
written confirmation of the sale of Offered Securities to such person, and if
the Prospectus (as so amended or supplemented) corrected the untrue statement or
omission giving rise to such loss, claim, damage or liability; (ii) any
Prospectus used by such Underwriter or any person who controls such Underwriter,
after such time as the Trust or the Company advised such Underwriter that the
filing of a post-effective amendment or supplement thereto was required, except
the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented; or (iii) any Prospectus used after
such time as the obligation of the Trust and the Company to keep the same
current and effective has expired.  This indemnity will be in addition to any
liability which the Trust or the Company may otherwise have.  All fees and
expenses which are reimbursable pursuant to this Section 6 shall be reimbursed
as they are incurred.

     If any action or proceeding (including any governmental investigation)
shall be brought or asserted against any Underwriter or any person controlling
such Underwriter in respect of which indemnity may be sought from the Trust or
the Company, such Underwriter or such controlling person shall promptly notify
the Company in writing, and the Company shall assume the defense thereof,
including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Underwriter
and the payment of all expenses. Any omission so to notify the Company shall
not, however, relieve the Trust or the Company from any liability which either
such party may have to any indemnified party otherwise than under this Section

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
6.  An Underwriter or any person controlling an Underwriter shall have the right
to employ separate counsel in any such action or proceeding and to participate
in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such separate counsel shall
be such Underwriter's expense or the expense of such controlling person unless
(a) the Company has agreed to pay such fees and expenses or (b) the Company
shall have failed to assume the defense of such action or proceeding and employ
counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Underwriter in any such action or
proceeding or (c) the named parties to any such action or proceeding (including
any impleaded parties) include both such Underwriter or such controlling person
and either of the Trust or the Company, and such Underwriter or such controlling
person shall have been advised by counsel to such Underwriter that there may be
a conflict of interest between such Underwriter or such controlling person and
either of the Trust or the Company in the conduct of the defense of such action
(in which case, if the Underwriter or such controlling person notifies the Trust
and the Company in writing that it elects to employ separate counsel at the
expense of the Trust and the Company, neither the Trust nor the Company shall
have the right to assume the defense of such action or proceeding on behalf of
the Underwriter or such controlling person), it being understood, however, that
neither the Trust nor the Company shall, in connection with any one such action
or proceeding or separate but substantially similar or related actions or
proceedings arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be
liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of
attorneys (unless the members of such firm are not admitted to practice in a
jurisdiction where an action is pending, in which case the Trust and the Company
shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of one additional firm of attorneys
to act as local counsel in such jurisdiction, provided the services of such
counsel are substantially limited to that of appearing as attorneys of record).
Neither the Trust nor the Company shall be liable for any settlement of any such
action or proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with
its written consent, or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff in any
such action or proceeding, the Trust and the Company agree to indemnify and hold
harmless such Underwriter and any such controlling person from and against any
loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment.

     Each Underwriter severally agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each of
the Trust, including its trustees, and the

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
Company, including its directors and each of its officers, and each person, if
any, who controls the Trust or the Company within the meaning of either Section
15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, to the same extent as the
foregoing indemnity from the Trust and the Company to such Underwriter, but only
with respect to information furnished in writing by such Underwriter through the
Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus,
or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any preliminary prospectus.  In case
any action or proceeding shall be brought against the Trust or its trustees or
the Company or the Company's directors or officers or any such controlling
person, in respect of which indemnity may be sought against an Underwriter, such
Underwriter shall have the rights and duties given to the Trust and the Company,
and the Trust or its trustees or the Company or the Company's directors or
officers or such controlling person shall have the rights and duties given to
such Underwriter by the preceding paragraph.

     If the indemnification provided for in this Section 6 is unavailable to an
indemnified party under the first or third paragraph hereof in respect of any
losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein (other than by reason
of such indemnified party's failure to comply with the first sentence of the
second paragraph of this Section 6), then each applicable indemnifying party, in
lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid
or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages
or liabilities (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative
benefits received by the Trust and the Company on the one hand and the
Underwriters on the other hand from the offering of the Offered Securities or
(ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by
applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the
relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of
the Trust or Company on the one hand and of the Underwriters on the other in
connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations.  The relative benefits received by the Trust or the Company on
the one hand and the Underwriters on the other in connection with the offering
of the Offered Securities shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the
total net proceeds from the offering of the Offered Securities received by the
Trust and the Company bear to the total underwriting discounts

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
received by the Underwriters in respect thereof.  The relative fault of the
Trust or the Company on the one hand and of the Underwriters on the other shall
be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state
a material fact relates to information supplied by the Trust or the Company or
by the Underwriters and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to
information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims, damages
and liabilities referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the
limitations set forth in the second paragraph of this Section 6, any legal or
other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with
investigating or defending any action or claim.

     Each of the Trust and the Company and the Underwriters agree that it would
not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 6 were
determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which
does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the
immediately preceding paragraph.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section
6, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the
amount by which the total price at which the Offered Securities were offered to
the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such Underwriter has
otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission.  No person guilty of fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be
entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation.

     The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Section 6 and
the representations and warranties of the Trust and the Company contained in
this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of
(a) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter, by or on behalf
of any person controlling such Underwriter or by or on behalf of the Trust or
the Company, (b) acceptance of any of the Offered Securities and payment
therefor or (c) any termination of this Agreement.

     SECTION 7.  Conditions of the Obligations of the Underwriter.
                 ------------------------------------------------ 

                                       20
<PAGE>
 
     The obligations of the several Underwriters hereunder are subject to the
following conditions:

          (a)  The Registration Statement shall have become effective not later
     than 5:30 P.M. on the date hereof; at the Closing Date no stop order
     suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been
     issued under the 1933 Act or proceedings therefor initiated or threatened
     by the Commission; and the Representatives shall have received a
     certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by (i) two Regular Trustees
     of the Trust and (ii) the Chairman of the Board, the President, an
     Executive Vice President or the Senior Vice President-Finance and Treasurer
     of the Company (each of whom may, as to threatened proceedings, rely upon
     the best of his information and belief), to such effect and to the effect
     set forth in clause (f) of this Section 7.  If the Trust and the Company
     have elected to rely upon Rule 430A of the 1933 Act Regulations, the price
     of the Offered Securities and any price-related information previously
     omitted from the effective Registration Statement pursuant to such Rule
     430A shall have been transmitted to the Commission for filing pursuant to
     Rule 424(b) of the 1933 Act Regulations within the prescribed time period,
     and prior to the Closing Date the Company shall have provided evidence
     satisfactory to the Underwriter of such timely filing, or a post-effective
     amendment providing such information shall have been promptly filed and
     declared effective in accordance with the requirements of Rule 430A of the
     1933 Act Regulations.

          (b)  At the Closing Date the Representatives shall have received:

          (1)  The opinions, dated as of the Closing Date, and reasonably
     satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, from Messrs. Cole, Raywid &
     Braverman, L.L.P. or such other special communications counsel for the
     Company as may be reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives and from
     the General Counsel of the Company to the following effect and covering
     such additional matters as the Representatives may reasonably request:

               (i)  the Company and each of its significant subsidiaries is a
          corporation duly organized, validly

                                       21
<PAGE>
 
          existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of
          its incorporation with the corporate power and authority to carry on
          its business as described in the Prospectus (as amended or
          supplemented, if applicable) and the Company has the corporate power
          and authority to execute and deliver, and perform its obligations
          under, this Agreement, the Pricing Agreement, the Guarantee, the
          Indenture and the Declaration;

               (ii)   the Company and each of its significant subsidiaries is
          duly qualified as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in
          each jurisdiction in which the failure to so qualify would, in the
          aggregate, have a material adverse effect upon the financial
          condition, results of operations, business or properties of the
          Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole;

               (iii)  all corporate proceedings legally required in connection
          with the authorization and issuance of the Subordinated Debt
          Securities and the Guarantee and the sale of the Subordinated Debt
          Securities and the Guarantee by the Company as contemplated by this
          Agreement have been taken;

               (iv)   To the best knowledge of such counsel, there is no legal
          or governmental proceeding pending or threatened against the Trust or
          the Company or any of its subsidiaries which is required to be
          disclosed in the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented, if
          applicable) and is not so disclosed and correctly summarized therein;

               (v)    To the best knowledge of such counsel, there is no
          contract or other document known to such counsel of a character
          required to be described in the Prospectus (as amended or
          supplemented, if applicable) or to be filed as an exhibit to the
          Registration Statement (or to a document incorporated by reference
          therein) that is not described or filed as required;

               (vi)   The execution and delivery by the Trust of this Agreement,
          the Pricing Agreement and the Declaration, the issuance of the Offered
          Securities and the fulfillment of the terms herein and therein
          contained

                                       22
<PAGE>
 
          do not conflict with, or result in a breach of, or constitute a
          default under, the Declaration or, to the best knowledge of such
          counsel, conflict in any material respect with, or result in a
          material breach of or constitute a material default under any material
          agreement, indenture or other instrument known to such counsel to
          which the Trust is a party or by which it is bound, or result in a
          violation of any law, administrative regulation or court or
          governmental decree known to such counsel applicable to the Trust,
          except that such counsel need not express any opinion with respect to
          (i) matters opined upon by Messrs. Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. or
          (ii) the Blue Sky laws of any jurisdiction;

               (vii)  The execution and delivery by the Company of this
          Agreement, the Pricing Agreement, the Guarantee, the Indenture and the
          Declaration, the issuance of the Subordinated Debt Securities and the
          Guarantee and the fulfillment of the terms herein and therein
          contained do not conflict with, or result in a breach of, or
          constitute a default under, the Company's charter or bylaws or, to the
          best knowledge of such counsel, conflict in any material respect with,
          or result in a material breach of or constitute a material default
          under any material agreement, indenture or other instrument known to
          such counsel to which the Company or any of its significant
          subsidiaries is a party or by which it is bound, or result in a
          violation of any law, administrative regulation or court or
          governmental decree known to such counsel applicable to the Company or
          any of its significant subsidiaries, except that such counsel need not
          express any opinion with respect to (i) matters opined upon by special
          communications counsel and Messrs. Sherman & Howard LLC or (ii) the
          Blue Sky laws of any jurisdiction;

               (viii)  All of the issued and outstanding Common Securities of
          the Trust are directly owned by the Company free and clear or any
          security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or
          equity;

                                       23
<PAGE>
 
               (ix)  The Property Trustee is the record holder of Subordinated
          Debt Securities and no security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien,
          encumbrance, claim or equity is noted thereon or on the securities
          register; and

               (x)   To the best knowledge of such counsel, neither the
          Registration Statement nor the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented,
          if applicable (expect as to the financial statements and schedules and
          any other financial and statistical data contained or incorporated by
          reference in the Registration Statement or Prospectus, as to which no
          opinion need be expressed), contained, as of the date the Prospectus
          was first filed with the Commission, or contains, as of the Closing
          Date, any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any
          material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
          statements therein (in the case of the Prospectus, as amended or
          supplemented, if applicable, in light of the circumstances under which
          they were made,) not misleading.

          (2) from Messrs. Sherman & Howard LLC, special counsel to the Trust
     and the Company, to the following effect and covering such additional
     matters as the Underwriter may reasonably request:

               (i)  The execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Pricing
          Agreement, the Guarantee and the Indenture, the issuance of the
          Offered Securities, the Subordinated Debt Securities and the Guarantee
          and the fulfillment of the terms of this Agreement, the Pricing
          Agreement, the Guarantee and the Indenture do not or will not, as
          appropriate, result in a material breach of or constitute a material
          default under any material agreement for borrowed money known to such
          counsel to which the Company or any of the Company's significant
          subsidiaries is a party or by which it is bound; and

               (ii)  the Company is not an "investment company" within the
          meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and is not
          subject to regulation under such Act.

                                       24
<PAGE>
 
     (3) from Baker & Botts, L.L.P., special counsel to the Trust and the
     Company, to the following effect and covering such additional matters as
     the Underwriter may reasonably request:

               (i)  This Agreement, the Pricing Agreement, the Guarantee, the
          Indenture and the Declaration have been duly authorized, executed and
          delivered by the Company; and each of the Guarantee and the Indenture
          is a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Company enforceable in
          accordance with its terms, except (A) as such enforceability may be
          limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent
          conveyance, moratorium and other laws affecting creditors' rights
          generally, and (B) that the remedy of specific performance and
          injunctive and other forms of equitable relief are subject to certain
          equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any
          proceeding therefor may be brought;

               (ii) Each of the Guarantee, the Indenture and the Declaration has
          been duly qualified under, and complies in all material respects with
          the requirements of, the Trust Indenture Act;

               (iii)  The Subordinated Debt Securities, when executed and
          authenticated in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and
          delivered to and paid for by the Trust at the Closing Date, will be
          legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company entitled to the
          benefits of the Indenture and enforceable in accordance with their
          terms, except (A) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy,
          insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium and
          other laws affecting creditors' rights generally, and (B) that the
          remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of
          equitable relief are subject to certain equitable defenses and to the
          discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be
          brought;

               (iv)  The Trust and the Company jointly meet the requirements for
          use of Form S-3 under the 1933 Act.  The Registration Statement is
          effective under the 1933 Act and, to the best of such counsel's
          knowledge and

                                       25
<PAGE>
 
          information, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
          Registration Statement has been issued under the 1933 Act or
          proceedings therefor initiated or threatened by the Commission;

               (v)  Each of the Offered Securities, the Guarantee and the
          Subordinated Debt Securities conforms in all material respects as to
          legal matters to the descriptions thereof in the Prospectus (as
          amended or supplemented, if applicable);

               (vi)  The Trust is not an "investment company" within the meaning
          of Section 3(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and
          is not subject to regulation under such Act;  and

               (vii)  The statements set forth in the Prospectus under the
          caption "Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences," insofar as they
          purport to describe the provisions of law referred to therein, are
          accurate and complete in all material respects.

          In addition, such counsel shall state that "The Registration Statement
     and the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, if applicable (except as to
     (x) the financial statements and schedules and any other financial and
     statistical data contained or incorporated by reference therein and (y) the
     documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein,
     as to which no opinion is expressed), complied, as of the date the
     Prospectus was first filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424, and
     comply, as of the date hereof, as to form in all material respects with the
     requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission
     under the Act (the "Rules").  In passing upon the form of such documents,
     we have necessarily assumed the correctness and completeness of the
     statements made or included therein by the Trust or the Company and take no
     responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements
     contained therein except insofar as such statements relate to the
     description of the Offered Securities or relate to us.  However, in
     connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement and the
     Prospectus, we had conferences with certain trustees or officers and other

                                       26
<PAGE>
 
     representatives of the Trust and the Company, and our examination of the
     Registration Statement and the Prospectus and our discussions in such
     conferences did not disclose to us any information (relying as to the
     materiality of any such information primarily upon trustees or officers and
     other representatives of the Trust and the Company) which gave us reason to
     believe that either the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, as
     amended or supplemented, if applicable (except as to (x) the financial
     statements and schedules and any other financial and statistical data
     contained or incorporated by reference therein and (y) the documents
     incorporated therein or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein, as
     to which no belief is expressed), contained, as of the date the Prospectus
     was first filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424, or contains, as
     of the date hereof, any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or
     omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
     to make the statements therein (in the case of the Prospectus, as amended
     or supplemented, if applicable, in light of the circumstances under which
     they were made), not misleading."

          In giving such opinions, such counsel may rely (x) as to matters of
     fact, to the extent they deem proper, upon certificates of trustees or
     officers of the Trust or the Company, public officials and others, and (y)
     as to matters of law if other than the law of the United States or Colorado
     (in the case of Messrs. Sherman & Howard LLC and General Counsel of the
     Company) or New York (in the case of Baker & Botts, L.L.P.), on the
     opinions of local counsel retained by them or the Trust or the Company,
     provided that such counsel are satisfactory to the Representatives and
     counsel retained by the Representatives on behalf of the Underwriters.

     (4) from Messrs. Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. special Delaware counsel
     to the Trust, to the following effect and covering such additional matters
     as the Underwriter may reasonably request:

               (i)  The Trust has been duly created and is validly existing in
          good standing as a business trust under the Delaware Act; all filings
          required under the laws of the State of Delaware with respect to the
          creation and valid

                                       27
<PAGE>
 
          existence of the Trust as a business trust have been made; under the
          Delaware Act and the Declaration, the Trust has the business trust
          power and authority to (x) own property and conduct its business, all
          as described in the Prospectus, (y) enter into and perform its
          obligations under this Agreement and the Pricing Agreement, and (z)
          issue and perform its obligations under the Preferred Securities and
          the Common Securities.

               (ii)  Assuming the Declaration has been duly authorized, executed
          and delivered by the Trustees and the Company, the Declaration is the
          valid and binding obligation of the Company and the Trustees,
          enforceable against the Company and the Trustees in accordance with
          its terms, subject as to enforcement to bankruptcy, insolvency,
          reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general applicability
          relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to general equity
          principles (regardless of whether the issue of enforceability is
          considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).

               (iii)  Under the Delaware Act and the Declaration, the execution
          and delivery by the Trust of this Agreement and the Pricing Agreement,
          and the performance by the Trust of its obligations thereunder, have
          been duly authorized by all necessary business trust action on the
          part of the Trust; and this Agreement and the Pricing Agreement have
          been duly executed and delivered by the Trust under the laws of
          Delaware.

               (iv)  The Common Securities have been duly authorized by the
          Declaration and are validly issued and represent undivided beneficial
          interests in the assets of the Trust; and under the Delaware Act and
          the Declaration, the issuance of the Common Securities is not subject
          to preemptive rights.

               (v)  The Preferred Securities have been duly authorized by the
          Declaration and, when delivered to and paid for pursuant to this
          Agreement, will be validly issued and fully paid and nonassessable
          undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust; the holders
          of the Preferred Securities, as beneficial owners

                                       28
<PAGE>
 
          of the Trust, will be entitled to the same limitation of personal
          liability extended to stockholders of private corporations for profit
          organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware;
          and under the Delaware Act and the Declaration, the issuance of the
          Preferred Securities is not subject to preemptive rights. Such counsel
          may note that the Preferred Security holders may be obligated,
          pursuant to the Declaration, to (i) provide indemnity and/or security
          in connection with and pay taxes or governmental charges arising from
          transfers of Preferred Security Certificates and the issuance of
          replacement Preferred Security Certificates, and (ii) provide security
          and indemnity in connection with requests of or directions to the
          Property Trustee to exercise its rights and powers under the
          Declaration.

               (vi) The issuance and sale by the Trust of the Preferred
          Securities and Common Securities; the execution, delivery and
          performance by the Trust of this Agreement and the Pricing Agreement;
          the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and therein;
          and compliance by the Trust with its obligations hereunder and
          thereunder will not violate any of the provisions of the Certificate
          of Trust or the Declaration, or any applicable Delaware law or
          administrative regulation.

               (vii)  Assuming that the Trust derives no income from or in
          connection with sources within the State of Delaware and has no
          assets, activities (other than having a Delaware Trustee as required
          by the Delaware Act and the filing of documents with the Delaware
          Secretary of State) or employees in the State of Delaware, no
          authorization, approval, consent or order of any Delaware court or
          governmental authority or agency is required to be obtained by the
          Trust solely in connection with the issuance and sale of the Common
          Securities and the Preferred Securities or the purchase by the Trust
          of the Subordinated Debt Securities and the Guarantees except such as
          have been obtained and such as may be required by state securities
          laws.

          (c)  The Underwriter shall have received on the Closing Date from
     Messrs. Brown & Wood LLP, counsel retained by the

                                       29
<PAGE>
 
     Representatives on behalf of the Underwriters, an opinion with respect to
     the Offered Securities, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus in
     the form customarily given by such firm, including an opinion to the effect
     that the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, as amended or
     supplemented, if applicable (except as to the financial statements and
     schedules and any other financial and statistical data contained or
     incorporated by reference therein, as to which no opinion need be
     expressed) comply as to form in all material respects with the Act.

          (d) The opinion of Emmett, Marvin & Martin LLP, counsel to The Bank of
     New York as Property Trustee under the Declaration, in form and substance
     satisfactory to counsel to the Underwriters to the effect that:

               (i) The Bank of New York is a national banking association with
          trust powers, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
          under the laws of the United States, with all necessary power and
          authority to execute and deliver, and to carry out and perform its
          obligations under the terms of, the Declaration.

               (ii) The execution, delivery and performance by the Property
          Trustee of the Declaration have been duly authorized by all necessary
          corporate action on the part of the Property Trustee; the Declaration
          has been duly executed and delivered by the Property Trustee, and
          constitutes the valid and binding obligation of the Property Trustee,
          enforceable against the Property Trustee in accordance with its terms,
          subject as to enforcement to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
          moratorium and other laws of general applicability relating to or
          affecting creditors' rights and to general equity principles
          (regardless of whether the issue of enforceability is considered in a
          proceeding at law or in equity).

               (iv)  The execution, delivery and performance of the Declaration
          by the Property Trustee does not conflict with or constitute a breach
          of the Articles of Organization or Bylaws of the Property Trustee.

                                       30
<PAGE>
 
               (v)  No consent, approval or authorization of, or registration
          with or notice to, any New York or federal banking authority is
          required for the execution, delivery or performance by the Property
          Trustee of the Declaration.

               (vi)  To the best of such counsel's knowledge, based on a review
          of the certificates representing the Subordinated Debt Securities, no
          security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or
          equity is noted thereon.

          In giving such opinion, such counsel may rely as to matters governed
     by the laws of the State of Delaware on an opinion of Messrs. Richards
     Layton & Finger, P.A., provided that such opinion shall be addressed to the
     Underwriters, shall be dated as of such date and shall expressly permit
     such counsel to rely thereon.

          (e)  On the Closing Date, the Representatives shall have received from
     each of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP and Price Waterhouse LLP a letter, dated as
     of the Closing Date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
     Representatives.

          (f) The representations and warranties of the Trust and the Company in
     this Agreement shall be true and correct on and as of the Closing Date;
     each of the Trust and the Company shall have complied with all agreements
     and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or
     prior to the Closing Date; and except as reflected in or contemplated by
     the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, since the respective dates
     as of which information is given in the Registration Statement and the
     Prospectus, there shall not have been, at the Closing Date, any material
     adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise), business,
     prospects or results of operations of the Trust or of the Company and its
     subsidiaries, considered as a whole.

          (g) Subsequent to the date hereto, there shall not have occurred any
     change, or any development involving a prospective change, in or affecting
     particularly the business, prospects or financial affairs of the Trust or
     of the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as a whole which, in the

                                       31
<PAGE>
 
     reasonable judgment of the Representatives, is so material and adverse that
     it would be impracticable to proceed with the public offering or delivery
     of the Offered Securities on the terms and in the manner contemplated by
     the Prospectus.

          (h) At the Closing Date the Offered Securities shall have been
     approved for quotation on the New York Stock Exchange and the Trust and the
     Company shall have filed all notices and documents required by the New York
     Stock Exchange of companies that have securities quoted on such exchange.

     SECTION 8.  Termination of Agreement.  The obligation of the Underwriters
                 ------------------------                                     
to purchase the Offered Securities may be terminated at any time prior to the
Closing Date by notice to the Trust and the Company from the Representatives,
without liability on the part of the Underwriters to the Trust or the Company,
if, on or prior to such date, (i) additional material governmental restrictions,
not in force and effect on the date of this Agreement, shall have been imposed
upon trading in securities generally or minimum or maximum prices shall have
been generally established on the New York Stock Exchange or on the American
Stock Exchange, or trading in securities generally shall have been suspended on
either such Exchange or trading in the common stock or debt securities of the
Trust or the Company in the over-the-counter market shall have been suspended or
a general banking moratorium shall have been established by Federal or New York
authorities, or (ii) a war involving the United States of America or other
national calamity shall have occurred or shall have accelerated to such an
extent as to affect adversely the marketability of the Offered Securities.

     SECTION 9.  Default by One or More of the Underwriters.  If one or more of
                 ------------------------------------------                    
the Underwriters shall fail on the Closing Date to purchase the Offered
Securities that it or they are obligated to purchase hereunder (the "Defaulted
Securities"), the Representatives shall have the right, within 24 hours
thereafter, to make arrangements for one or more of the non-defaulting
Underwriters, or any substitute underwriters, to purchase all, but not less than
all, of the Defaulted Securities in such amounts as may be approved by the
Representatives and upon the terms herein set forth; if, however, the
Representatives have not completed such arrangements within such 24-hour period,
then:

                                       32
<PAGE>
 
          (a)  if the principal amount of Defaulted Securities does not exceed
     10% of the aggregate principal amount of Offered Securities, the non-
     defaulting Underwriters shall be obligated to purchase the full amount
     thereof in the proportions that their respective underwriting obligations
     hereunder bear to the underwriting obligations of all non-defaulting
     Underwriters, or

          (b)  if the principal amount of Defaulted Securities exceeds 10% of
     the aggregate principal amount of Offered Securities, the Company shall be
     entitled for an additional 24-hour period to find one or more substitute
     underwriters satisfactory to the Representatives in their reasonable
     discretion to purchase such Defaulted Securities.

     In the event of any such default either the Representatives or the Trust
and the Company shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date for a period
not exceeding seven days in order to effect any required changes in the
Registration Statement or Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements
relating to the purchase of the Offered Securities.

     If the principal amount of Defaulted Securities exceeds 10% of the
aggregate principal amount of Offered Securities, and neither the
Representatives nor the Company make arrangements pursuant to this Section 9
within the period stated for the purchase of the Defaulted Securities, this
Agreement shall terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting
Underwriter to the Company except as provided in Section 6.

     No action taken pursuant to this Section 9 shall relieve any defaulting
Underwriter from liability in respect of its default.

     A substitute underwriter hereunder shall be an Underwriter for all purposes
of this Agreement.

     SECTION 10.  Notices.  All notices and other communications hereunder shall
                  -------                                                       
be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed or
transmitted by any standard form of telecommuni  cation.  Notices to the
Representatives shall be directed to ____________, attention __________; and
notices to each of the Trust and the Company shall be directed to it at its
office at Terrace Tower II, 5619 DTC Parkway, Englewood, Colorado 80111-3000,

                                       33
<PAGE>
 
attention: Bernard W. Schotters, Senior Vice President - Finance of the Company.

     SECTION 11.  Parties.  This Agreement and the Pricing Agreement shall each
                  -------                                                      
inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Underwriters, the Trust and the
Company and their respective successors and legal representatives.  Nothing
expressed or mentioned in this Agreement or the Pricing Agreement is intended or
shall be construed to give any person, firm or corporation, other than the
Underwriters, the Trust and the Company and their respective successors and
legal representatives and the controlling persons and trustees, officers and
directors referred to in Section 6 hereof and their respective successors, heirs
and legal representatives, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under
or in respect of this Agreement or the Pricing Agreement or any provision herein
or therein contained.  This Agreement and the Pricing Agreement and all
conditions and provisions hereof and thereof are intended to be for the sole and
exclusive benefit of the Underwriters, the Trust and the Company and their
respective successors and legal representatives and said controlling persons,
trustees, officers and directors and their respective successors, heirs and
legal representatives, and for the benefit of no other person, firm or
corporation.  No purchaser of Offered Securities from the Underwriter shall be
deemed to be a successor by reason merely of such purchase.

     SECTION 12.  Governing Law and Time.  This Agreement and the Pricing
                  ----------------------                                 
Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the
State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be performed in said
State.  Specified times of day refer to New York City time.

                                       34
<PAGE>
 
     If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement,
please sign and return to the Trust and the Company a counterpart hereof,
whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts, will become a binding
agreement between the Underwriters and the Trust and the Company in accordance
with its terms.

                              Very truly yours,

                              TCI COMMUNICATIONS FINANCING __


                              By: ------------------------------
                                  as Regular Trustee


                              By: ------------------------------
                                  as Regular Trustee


                              TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.


                              By: ------------------------------
                                  TCI

CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED,
as of the date first
above written:
[Insert rep names]
 

BY:  [UNDERWRITER]


By:  ___________________________________
     Authorized Signatory

     for themselves and as Representatives
     of other underwriters named in Schedule A
     hereto.

                                       35
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT A



                       _____________ Preferred Securities

                        TCI COMMUNICATIONS FINANCING __
                          (a Delaware Business Trust)

                        ____% Trust Preferred Securities
                (Liquidation Amount $25 per Preferred Security)
           guaranteed to a limited extent by TCI Communications, Inc.



                               PRICING AGREEMENT
                               -----------------

                                                   _______________, 1996

[UNDERWRITER]

Dear Sirs:

     Reference is made to the Purchase Agreement, dated __________, ____ (the
"Purchase Agreement"), relating to the purchase, by the Underwriters named in
Schedule A thereto (the "Underwriters"), of the above-referenced ___% Trust
Preferred Securities (the "Preferred Securities"), of the TCI Communications
Financing __, a business trust formed under the laws of Delaware (the "Trust").
Capitalized terms in this Pricing Agreement that are not defined herein have the
meanings assigned in the Purchase Agreement.

     Pursuant to Section 2 of the Purchase Agreement, each of the Trust and the
Company agree with each of the several Underwriters as follows:

          1.   The initial public offering price for the Offered Securities, and
     the purchase price per Offered Security for the Offered Securities to be
     paid by the several Underwriters, determined as provided in said Section 2,
     shall be $25.00.

                                      A-1
<PAGE>
 
          2.   The compensation per Preferred Security to be paid by the Company
     to the several Underwriters in respect of their commitments hereunder shall
     be $_____.

     In view of the fact that the proceeds of the sale of the Preferred
Securities will be invested in Subordinated Debt Securities, the Company has
agreed to pay to the Underwriters, as compensation for their arranging the
investment therein of such proceeds, $_____ per Preferred Security (or $_______
in the aggregate); provided, that such compensation for sales of ______ or more
Preferred Securities to a single purchaser will be $_____ per Preferred
Security.  Therefore, to the extent of such sales, the actual amount of
Underwriters' compensation will be less than the aggregate amount specified in
the preceding sentence.  See "Underwriting."

     If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement,
please sign and return to the Trust and the Company a counterpart hereof,
whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts, will become a binding
agreement between the Underwriter, the Trust and the Company in accordance with
its terms.

                              Very truly yours,

                              TCI COMMUNICATIONS FINANCING __

                              By: -----------------------------
                              as Regular Trustee

                              By: -----------------------------
                              as Regular Trustee

                              TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

                              By:  ----------------------------

CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED,
as of the date first above written:
[Insert rep names]


By:  [UNDERWRITER]


     By:  -----------------------------

                                      A-2

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.3

                              CERTIFICATE OF TRUST
                                       OF
                         TCI COMMUNICATIONS FINANCING V

     This Certificate of Trust of TCI Communications Financing V (the "Trust")
dated October 31, 1996, is being duly executed and filed by the undersigned, as
trustees, to form a business trust pursuant to the Delaware Business Trust Act,
12 Del. C. (S) 3801, et seq.  The undersigned, as trustees, do hereby certify as
   -------           -------                                                    
follows:

     1.   The name of the business trust being formed hereby is "TCI
Communications Financing V".

     2.   The name and business address of the trustee of the Trust which has
its principal place of business in the State of Delaware is as follows:

               The Bank of New York (Delaware)
               400 White Clay Center, Route 273
               Newark, Delaware 19711

     3.   This Certificate of Trust shall be effective as of the date of filing.
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the sole trustees of the Trust,
have executed this Certificate of Trust in one or more counterparts as of the
date first above written.

 
                                           /s/ Bernard W. Schotters
                                           -----------------------------------
                                           Bernard W. Schotters, as Trustee
 
 
                                           /s/ Stephen M. Brett
                                           -----------------------------------
                                           Stephen M. Brett, as Trustee
 
                                           THE BANK OF NEW YORK 
                                           (DELAWARE),
                                             as Trustee
 
 
                                           By: /s/ Joseph G. Ernst
                                              --------------------------------
                                              Name: Joseph G. Ernst
                                              Title: Assistant Vice President

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.4

                              CERTIFICATE OF TRUST
                                       OF
                        TCI COMMUNICATIONS FINANCING VI

     This Certificate of Trust of TCI Communications Financing VI (the "Trust")
dated October 31, 1996, is being duly executed and filed by the undersigned, as
trustees, to form a business trust pursuant to the Delaware Business Trust Act,
12 Del. C. (S) 3801, et seq.  The undersigned, as trustees, do hereby certify as
   -------           -------                                                    
follows:

     1.   The name of the business trust being formed hereby is "TCI
Communications Financing VI".

     2.   The name and business address of the trustee of the Trust which has
its principal place of business in the State of Delaware is as follows:

               The Bank of New York (Delaware)
               400 White Clay Center, Route 273
               Newark, Delaware 19711

     3.   This Certificate of Trust shall be effective as of the date of filing.
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the sole trustees of the Trust,
have executed this Certificate of Trust in one or more counterparts as of the
date first above written.

 
                                        /s/ Bernard W. Schotters
                                        --------------------------------------
                                        Bernard W. Schotters, as Trustee
 
 
                                        /s/ Stephen M. Brett
                                        --------------------------------------
                                        Stephen M. Brett, as Trustee
 
                                        THE BANK OF NEW YORK 
                                        (DELAWARE),
                                         as Trustee
 
 
                                        By: /s/ Joseph G. Ernst
                                            ----------------------------------
                                            Name: Joseph G. Ernst
                                            Title: Assistant Vice President

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.7


                              DECLARATION OF TRUST
                                       OF
                         TCI COMMUNICATIONS FINANCING V

          THIS DECLARATION OF TRUST (this "Declaration"), dated and effective as
of October 31, 1996, by the undersigned trustees (together with all other
Persons from time to time duly appointed and serving as trustees in accordance
with the provisions of this Declaration, the "Trustees"), TCI Communications,
Inc., a Delaware corporation, as trust sponsor (the "Sponsor"), and by the
holders, from time to time, of undivided beneficial interests in the Trust to be
issued pursuant to this Declaration;


                              W I T N E S S E T H:

          WHEREAS, the Trustees and the Sponsor desire to establish a trust (the
"Trust") pursuant to the Delaware Business Trust Act for the sole purpose of
issuing and selling certain securities representing undivided beneficial
interests in the assets of the Trust and investing the proceeds thereof in
certain Debt Securities (as hereinafter defined) of the Debt Issuer (as
hereinafter defined);

          NOW THEREFORE, it being the intention of the parties hereto that the
Trust constitute a business trust under the Delaware Business Trust Act and that
this Declaration constitute the governing instrument of such business trust, the
Trustees declare that all assets contributed to the Trust will be held in trust
for the benefit of the holders, from time to time, of undivided beneficial
interests in the assets of the Trust, subject to the provisions of this
Declaration.

                                   ARTICLE I.
                         DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

          SECTION 1.1.  Definitions.  Capitalized terms used in this Declaration
but not defined in the preamble above have the respective meanings assigned
thereto in this Section 1.1.  A term defined anywhere in this Declaration has
the same meaning throughout.

          "Affiliate" has the same meaning as given to that term in Rule 405 of
     the Securities Act or any successor rule thereunder.

          "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or any day
     on which banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized or
     required by law to close.
<PAGE>
 
          "Business Trust Act" means Chapter 38 of Title 12 of the Delaware
     Code, 12 Del. C. (S)3801, et seq, as it may be amended from time to time.
              -------                                                         

          "Certificate" means a Common Security Certificate or a Preferred
     Security Certificate.

          "Common Security" means a security representing a common undivided
     beneficial interest in the assets of the Trust with such terms as may be
     set out in any amendment to this Declaration.

          "Common Security Certificate" means a definitive certificate in fully
     registered form representing a Common Security.

          "Covered Person" means: (a) any officer, director, shareholder,
     partner, member, representative, employee or agent of (i) the Trust or (ii)
     the Trust's Affiliates; and (b) any Holder.

          "Debt Issuer" means TCI Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation,
     or any successor entity in a merger, consolidation or amalgamation, in its
     capacity as the issuer of the Debt Securities.

          "Debt Securities" means the subordinated deferrable interest notes to
     be issued by the Debt Issuer and purchased with the proceeds of the
     Securities.

          "Delaware Trustee" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1

          "Exchange Act" means the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as
     amended from time to time, and any successor legislation.

          "Holder" means a Person in whose name a Certificate representing a
     Security is registered, such Person being a beneficial owner within the
     meaning of the Business Trust Act.

          "Indemnified Person" means (a) any Trustee; (b) any Affiliate of any
     Trustee; (c) any officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners,
     employees, representatives or agents of any Trustee; or (d) any employee or
     agent of the Trust or its Affiliates.

          "Person" means a legal person, including any individual, corporation,
     estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company,
     limited liability company, trust, unincorporated association, or government
     or any agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity of
     whatever nature.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
          "Preferred Security" means a security representing a preferred
     undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the Trust with such terms as
     may be set out in any amendment to this Declaration.

          "Preferred Security Certificate" means a certificate representing a
     Preferred Security.

          "Regular Trustee" means any Trustee other than the Delaware Trustee.

          "Securities" mean the Common Securities and the Preferred Securities.

          "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from
     time to time, and any successor legislation.

          "Sponsor" means TCI Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or
     any successor entity in a merger, consolidation or amalgamation, in its
     capacity as Sponsor of the Trust.

          "Trustee" or "Trustees" means each Person who has signed this
     Declaration as a trustee, so long as such Person shall continue in office
     in accordance with the terms hereof, and all other Persons who may from
     time to time be duly appointed, qualified and serving as trustees in
     accordance with the provisions hereof, and references herein to a Trustee
     or the Trustees shall refer to such Person or Persons solely in their
     capacity as trustees hereunder.

          SECTION 1.2.  Interpretation.  Each definition in this Declaration
includes the singular and the plural, and references to the neuter gender
include the masculine and feminine where appropriate.  Terms which relate to
accounting matters shall be interpreted in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles in effect from time to time.  References to any statute
mean such statute as amended at that time and include any successor legislation.
The word "or" is not exclusive, and the words "herein," "hereof" and "hereunder"
refer to this Declaration as a whole. The headings to the Articles and Sections
are for convenience of reference and shall not affect the meaning or
interpretation of this Declaration.  Reference to Articles, Sections and
Exhibits means the Articles, Sections and Exhibits of this Declaration.  The
Exhibits are hereby incorporated by reference into, and shall be deemed a part
of, this Declaration.

                                  ARTICLE II.
                                  ORGANIZATION

          SECTION 2.1.  Name.  The Trust created by this Declaration is named
"TCI Communications Financing V".  The Trust's activities may be conducted under
the name of the Trust or any other name deemed advisable by the Regular
Trustees.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
          SECTION 2.2.  Office.  The address of the principal office of the
Trust is c/o TCI Communications, Inc., 5619 DTC Parkway, Englewood, Colorado
80111.  At any time, the Regular Trustees may designate another principal
office.

          SECTION 2.3.  Purpose.  The exclusive purposes and functions of the
Trust are (a) to issue and sell Securities and use the proceeds from such sale
to acquire the Debt Securities and (b) except as otherwise limited herein, to
engage in only those other activities necessary or incidental thereto.  The
Trust shall not borrow money, issue debt or reinvest proceeds derived from
investments or pledge any of its assets.

          SECTION 2.4.  Authority.  Subject to the limitations provided in this
Declaration, the Regular Trustees shall have exclusive and complete authority to
carry out the purposes of the Trust. An action taken by the Regular Trustees in
accordance with their powers shall constitute the act of, and serve to bind, the
Trust.  In dealing with the Regular Trustees acting on behalf of the Trust, no
Person shall be required to inquire into the authority of the Regular Trustees
to bind the Trust. Persons dealing with the Trust are entitled to rely
conclusively on the power and authority of the Regular Trustees as set forth in
this Declaration.

          SECTION 2.5.  Title to Property of the Trust.  Legal title to all
assets of the Trust shall be vested in the Trust.

          SECTION 2.6.  Powers of the Regular Trustees.  The Regular Trustees
shall have the exclusive power and authority to cause the Trust to engage in the
following activities:

          (a)  to issue and sell the Preferred Securities and the Common
Securities in accordance with this Declaration; provided, however, that the
Trust may issue no more than one series of Preferred Securities and no more than
one series of Common Securities, and, provided further, there shall be no
interests in the Trust other than the Securities and the issuance of the
Securities shall be limited to a one-time, simultaneous issuance of both
Preferred Securities and Common Securities;

          (b)  in connection with the issue and sale of the Preferred
Securities, under the direction of the Sponsor, to:

               (i)    execute and file with the Securities and Exchange
          Commission a registration statement on Form S-3 prepared by the
          Sponsor in relation to the Preferred Securities, including any
          amendments thereto to be prepared by the Sponsor;

               (ii)   determine the states in which to take appropriate action
          to qualify or register for sale all or part of the Preferred
          Securities and to take any and all such acts as they deem necessary or
          advisable to comply with the applicable laws of any of those states;

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
               (iii)  execute and file an application prepared by the Sponsor to
          the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. or any other national stock exchange
          and/or the Nasdaq National Market for listing upon notice of issuance
          of any Preferred Securities; and

               (iv)   execute and file with the Securities and Exchange
          Commission a registration statement on Form 8-A prepared by the
          Sponsor relating to the registration of the Preferred Securities under
          Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act, including any amendments
          thereto;

          (c)  to employ or otherwise engage employees and agents (who may be
designated as officers with titles) and managers, contractors, advisors, and
consultants and provide for reasonable compensation for such services;

          (d)  to incur expenses which are necessary or incidental to carry out
any of the purposes of this Declaration; and

          (e)  to execute all documents or instruments, perform all duties and
powers, and do all things for and on behalf of the Trust in all matters
necessary or incidental to the foregoing.

          SECTION 2.7.  Filing of Certificate of Trust.  On or after the
effective date of this Declaration, the Trustees shall cause the Certificate of
Trust for the Trust in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A to be filed with
the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

          SECTION 2.8.  Duration of Trust.  The Trust, absent termination
pursuant to the provisions of Section 5.2, shall have existence for fifty-five
years from the date hereof.

                                  ARTICLE III.
                                    TRUSTEES

          SECTION 3.1.  Trustees.  The number of Trustees shall initially be
three, and thereafter the number of Trustees shall be such number as shall be
fixed from time to time by a written instrument signed by the Sponsor.  The
Sponsor is entitled to appoint or remove without cause any Trustee at any time;
provided, that the number of Trustees shall in no event be less than three; and
provided further that one Trustee, in the case of a natural person, shall be a
person who is a resident of the State of Delaware or which, if not a natural
person, has its principal place of business in the State of Delaware and meets
the requirements of applicable Delaware law (the "Delaware Trustee").

          Except as expressly set forth in this Declaration, any power of the
Regular Trustees may be exercised by, or with the consent of, a majority of the
Regular Trustees; provided that if there are two or fewer Regular Trustees, all
powers of the Regular Trustees shall be exercised by, or with the consent of,
all of the Regular Trustees.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
          The initial Regular Trustees shall be:

               Bernard W. Schotters
               Stephen M. Brett

          The initial Delaware Trustee shall be:

               The Bank of New York (Delaware)

          SECTION 3.2.  Delaware Trustee.  Notwithstanding any other provisions
of this Declaration, the Delaware Trustee, in its capacity as Delaware Trustee,
shall not be entitled to exercise any of the powers, nor shall the Delaware
Trustee have any of the duties and responsibilities, of the Regular Trustees
described in this Declaration.  The Delaware Trustee shall be a Trustee for the
sole and limited purpose of fulfilling the requirements of Section 3807 of the
Business Trust Act.

          SECTION 3.3.  Execution of Documents.  (a) The Regular Trustees are
authorized to execute on behalf of the Trust any documents that the Regular
Trustees have the power and authority to cause the Trust to execute pursuant to
Section 2.6.

          (b)  The Regular Trustees may, by power of attorney consistent with
applicable law, delegate to any other natural person over the age of 21 their
power for the purposes of signing any documents which the Regular Trustees have
power and authority to cause the Trust to execute pursuant to Section 2.6.

                                  ARTICLE IV.
                           LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF
                   HOLDERS OF SECURITIES, TRUSTEES OR OTHERS

          SECTION 4.1.  Exculpation.  (a) No Indemnified Person shall be liable,
responsible or accountable in damages or otherwise to the Trust or any Covered
Person for any loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission
performed or omitted by such Indemnified Person in good faith on behalf of the
Trust and in a manner such Indemnified Person reasonably believed to be within
the scope of the authority conferred on such Indemnified Person by this
Declaration or by law, except that an Indemnified Person shall be liable for any
such loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of such Indemnified Person's gross
negligence or willful misconduct with respect to such acts or omissions.

          (b)  An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in relying in good
faith upon the records of the Trust and upon such information, opinions, reports
or statements presented to the Trust by any Person as to matters the Indemnified
Person reasonably believes are within such other Person's professional or expert
competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the
Trust, including information, opinions, reports or statements as to the value
and

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
amount of the assets, liabilities, profits, losses, or any other facts pertinent
to the existence and amount of assets from which distributions to Holders might
properly be paid.

          SECTION 4.2.  Fiduciary Duty.  (a) To the extent that, at law or in
equity, an Indemnified Person has duties (including fiduciary duties) and
liabilities relating thereto to the Trust or to any other Covered Person, an
Indemnified Person acting under this Declaration shall not be liable to the
Trust or to any other Covered Person for its good faith reliance on the
provisions of this Declaration.  The provisions of this Declaration, to the
extent that they restrict the duties and liabilities of an Indemnified Person
otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the parties hereto to
replace such other duties and liabilities of such Indemnified Person.

          (b)  Unless otherwise expressly provide herein:

               (i)   whenever a conflict of interest exists or arises between an
     Indemnified Person and Covered Persons, or

               (ii)  whenever this Declaration or any other agreement
     contemplated herein or therein provides that an Indemnified Person shall
     act in a manner that is, or provides terms that are, fair and reasonable to
     the Trust or any Holder,

the Indemnified Person shall resolve such conflict of interest, take such action
or provide such terms, considering in each case the relative interest of each
party (including its own interest) to such conflict, agreement, transaction or
situation and the benefits and burdens relating to such interests, any customary
or accepted industry practices, and any applicable generally accepted accounting
practices or principles.  In the absence of bad faith by the Indemnified Person,
the resolution, action or term so made, taken or provided by the Indemnified
Person shall not constitute a breach of this Declaration or any other agreement
contemplated herein or of any duty or obligation of the Indemnified Person at
law or in equity or otherwise.

          (c)  Whenever in this Declaration an Indemnified Person is permitted
or required to make a decision:

               (i)   in its "discretion" or under a grant of similar authority,
     the Indemnified Person shall be entitled to consider such interest and
     factors as it desires, including its own interests, and shall have no duty
     or obligation to give any consideration to any interest of, or factors
     affecting, the Trust or any other Person; or

               (ii)  in its "good faith" or under another express standard, the
     Indemnified Person shall act under such express standard and shall not be
     subject to any other or different standard imposed by this Declaration or
     by applicable law.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
          SECTION 4.3.  Indemnification.  (a) To the fullest extent permitted by
applicable law, the Sponsor shall indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnified
Person from and against any loss, damage or claim incurred by such Indemnified
Person by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such Indemnified
Person in good faith on behalf of the Trust and in a manner such Indemnified
Person reasonably believed to be within the scope of authority conferred on such
Indemnified Person by this Declaration, except that no Indemnified Person shall
be entitled to be indemnified in respect of any loss, damage or claim incurred
by such Indemnified Person by reason of gross negligence or willful misconduct
with respect to such acts or omissions.

          (b)  To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, expenses
(including legal fees) incurred by an Indemnified Person in defending any claim,
demand, action, suit or proceeding shall, from time to time, be advanced by the
Sponsor prior to the final disposition of such claim, demand, action, suit or
proceeding upon receipt by the Sponsor of an undertaking by or on behalf of the
Indemnified Person to repay such amount if it shall be determined that the
Indemnified Person is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized in Section
4.3(a).

          SECTION 4.4.  Other Businesses.  Any Covered Person, the Sponsor and
the Delaware Trustee may engage in or possess an interest in other business
ventures of any nature or description, independently or with others, similar or
dissimilar to the business of the Trust, and the Trust and the Holders shall
have no rights by virtue of this Declaration in and to such independent ventures
or the income or profits derived therefrom and the pursuit of any such venture,
even if competitive with the business of the Trust, shall not be deemed wrongful
or improper.  No Covered Person, the Sponsor or the Delaware Trustee shall be
obligated to present any particular investment or other opportunity to the Trust
even if such opportunity is of a character that, if presented to the Trust,
could be taken by the Trust, and any Covered Person, the Sponsor and the
Delaware Trustee shall have the right to take for its own account (individually
or as a partner or fiduciary) or to recommend to others any such particular
investment or other opportunity.  Any Covered Person and the Delaware Trustee
may engage or be interested in any financial or other transaction with the
Sponsor or any Affiliate of the Sponsor, or may act on any committee or body of
holders of securities or other obligations of the Sponsor or its Affiliates.

                                  ARTICLE V.
                    AMENDMENTS, TERMINATION, MISCELLANEOUS

          SECTION 5.1.  Amendments.  At any time before the issue of any
Securities, this Declaration may be amended by, and only by, a written
instrument executed by a majority of the Regular Trustees and the Sponsor.

          SECTION 5.2.  Termination of Trust. (a) The Trust shall terminate and
be of no further force or effect:

               (i)    upon the bankruptcy of the Sponsor;

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
               (ii)   upon the filing of a certificate of dissolution or its
     equivalent with respect to the Sponsor or the revocation of the Sponsor's
     Certificate of Incorporation;

               (iii)  upon the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the
     Sponsor or the Trust; or

               (iv)   before the issue of any Securities, with the consent of at
     least a majority of the Regular Trustees and the Sponsor.

          (b)  As soon as is practicable after the occurrence of an event
referred to in Section 5.2(a), the Trustees shall file a Certificate of
Cancellation for the Trust with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

          SECTION 5.3.  Governing Law.  This Declaration and the rights of the
parties hereunder shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the
laws of the State of Delaware and all rights and remedies shall be governed by
such laws without regard to principles of conflict of laws.

          SECTION 5.4.  Successors and Assigns.  Whenever in this Declaration
any of the parties hereto is named or referred to, the successors and assigns of
such party shall be deemed to be included, and all covenants and agreements in
this Declaration by the Sponsor and the Trustees shall bind and inure to the
benefit of their respective successors and assigns, whether or not so expressed.

          SECTION 5.5.  Partial Enforceability.  If any provision of this
Declaration, or the application of such provision to any Person or circumstance,
shall be held invalid, the remainder of this Declaration, or the application of
such provision to any Person or circumstances other than those to which it is
held invalid, shall not be affected thereby.

          SECTION 5.6.  Counterparts.  This Declaration may contain more than
one counterpart of the signature page and this Declaration may be executed by
the affixing of the signature of each of the Trustees to one of such counterpart
signature pages.  All of such counterpart signature pages shall be read as
though one, and they shall have the same force and effect as though all of the
signers had signed a single signature page.

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Declaration of
Trust of TCI Communications Financing V to be executed as of the day and year
first above written.

                                   TRUSTEES:


                                   /s/ Bernard W. Schotters
                                   ----------------------------------------
                                   Bernard W. Schotters, as Trustee



                                   /s/ Stephen M.Brett
                                   ----------------------------------------
                                   Stephen M. Brett, as Trustee


                                   THE BANK OF NEW YORK (DELAWARE),
                                     as Delaware Trustee


                                   By: /s/ Joseph G. Ernst
                                      -------------------------------------
                                      Name: Joseph G. Ernst
                                      Title: Assistant Vice President


                                   SPONSOR:

                                   TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.



                                   By: /s/ Stephen M. Brett
                                      -------------------------------------
                                      Name:  Stephen M. Brett
                                      Title: Senior Vice President

                                      -10-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT A

                             CERTIFICATE OF TRUST
                                      OF
                        TCI COMMUNICATIONS FINANCING V

     This Certificate of Trust of TCI Communications Financing V (the "Trust")
dated October 31, 1996, is being duly executed and filed by the undersigned, as
trustees, to form a business trust pursuant to the Delaware Business Trust Act,
12 Del. C. (S) 3801, et seq.. The undersigned, as trustees, do hereby certify as
   -------           -------                                                    
follows:

     1.The name of the business trust being formed hereby is "TCI Communications
Financing V".

     2.The name and business address of the trustee of the Trust which has its
principal place of business in the State of Delaware is as follows:

                        The Bank of New York (Delaware)
                        400 White Clay Center, Route 273
                        Newark, Delaware 19711

     3.This Certificate of Trust shall be effective as of the date of filing.

                                      -11-
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the sole trustees of the Trust,
have executed this Certificate of Trust in one or more counterparts as of the
date first above written.


                                        ______________________________________
                                        Bernard W. Schotters, as Trustee
 
 
 
                                        ______________________________________
                                        Stephen M. Brett, as Trustee
 
                                        THE BANK OF NEW YORK (DELAWARE), 
                                        as Trustee
 
 
                                        By:__________________________________
                                           Name:
                                           Title:

                                      -12-

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.8


                              DECLARATION OF TRUST
                                       OF
                        TCI COMMUNICATIONS FINANCING VI

          THIS DECLARATION OF TRUST (this "Declaration"), dated and effective as
of October 31, 1996, by the undersigned trustees (together with all other
Persons from time to time duly appointed and serving as trustees in accordance
with the provisions of this Declaration, the "Trustees"), TCI Communications,
Inc., a Delaware corporation, as trust sponsor (the "Sponsor"), and by the
holders, from time to time, of undivided beneficial interests in the Trust to be
issued pursuant to this Declaration;


                              W I T N E S S E T H:

          WHEREAS, the Trustees and the Sponsor desire to establish a trust (the
"Trust") pursuant to the Delaware Business Trust Act for the sole purpose of
issuing and selling certain securities representing undivided beneficial
interests in the assets of the Trust and investing the proceeds thereof in
certain Debt Securities (as hereinafter defined) of the Debt Issuer (as
hereinafter defined);

          NOW THEREFORE, it being the intention of the parties hereto that the
Trust constitute a business trust under the Delaware Business Trust Act and that
this Declaration constitute the governing instrument of such business trust, the
Trustees declare that all assets contributed to the Trust will be held in trust
for the benefit of the holders, from time to time, of undivided beneficial
interests in the assets of the Trust, subject to the provisions of this
Declaration.

                                   ARTICLE I.
                         DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

          SECTION 1.1.  Definitions.  Capitalized terms used in this Declaration
but not defined in the preamble above have the respective meanings assigned
thereto in this Section 1.1.  A term defined anywhere in this Declaration has
the same meaning throughout.

          "Affiliate" has the same meaning as given to that term in Rule 405 of
     the Securities Act or any successor rule thereunder.

          "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or any day
     on which banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized or
     required by law to close.
<PAGE>
 
          "Business Trust Act" means Chapter 38 of Title 12 of the Delaware
     Code, 12 Del. C. (S)3801, et seq, as it may be amended from time to time.
              -------                                                         

          "Certificate" means a Common Security Certificate or a Preferred
     Security Certificate.

          "Common Security" means a security representing a common undivided
     beneficial interest in the assets of the Trust with such terms as may be
     set out in any amendment to this Declaration.

          "Common Security Certificate" means a definitive certificate in fully
     registered form representing a Common Security.

          "Covered Person" means: (a) any officer, director, shareholder,
     partner, member, representative, employee or agent of (i) the Trust or (ii)
     the Trust's Affiliates; and (b) any Holder.

          "Debt Issuer" means TCI Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation,
     or any successor entity in a merger, consolidation or amalgamation, in its
     capacity as the issuer of the Debt Securities.

          "Debt Securities" means the subordinated deferrable interest notes to
     be issued by the Debt Issuer and purchased with the proceeds of the
     Securities.

          "Delaware Trustee" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1

          "Exchange Act" means the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as
     amended from time to time, and any successor legislation.

          "Holder" means a Person in whose name a Certificate representing a
     Security is registered, such Person being a beneficial owner within the
     meaning of the Business Trust Act.

          "Indemnified Person" means (a) any Trustee; (b) any Affiliate of any
     Trustee; (c) any officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners,
     employees, representatives or agents of any Trustee; or (d) any employee or
     agent of the Trust or its Affiliates.

          "Person" means a legal person, including any individual, corporation,
     estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company,
     limited liability company, trust, unincorporated association, or government
     or any agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity of
     whatever nature.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
          "Preferred Security" means a security representing a preferred
     undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the Trust with such terms as
     may be set out in any amendment to this Declaration.

          "Preferred Security Certificate" means a certificate representing a
     Preferred Security.

          "Regular Trustee" means any Trustee other than the Delaware Trustee.

          "Securities" mean the Common Securities and the Preferred Securities.

          "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from
     time to time, and any successor legislation.

          "Sponsor" means TCI Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or
     any successor entity in a merger, consolidation or amalgamation, in its
     capacity as Sponsor of the Trust.

          "Trustee" or "Trustees" means each Person who has signed this
     Declaration as a trustee, so long as such Person shall continue in office
     in accordance with the terms hereof, and all other Persons who may from
     time to time be duly appointed, qualified and serving as trustees in
     accordance with the provisions hereof, and references herein to a Trustee
     or the Trustees shall refer to such Person or Persons solely in their
     capacity as trustees hereunder.

          SECTION 1.2.  Interpretation.  Each definition in this Declaration
includes the singular and the plural, and references to the neuter gender
include the masculine and feminine where appropriate.  Terms which relate to
accounting matters shall be interpreted in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles in effect from time to time.  References to any statute
mean such statute as amended at that time and include any successor legislation.
The word "or" is not exclusive, and the words "herein," "hereof" and "hereunder"
refer to this Declaration as a whole. The headings to the Articles and Sections
are for convenience of reference and shall not affect the meaning or
interpretation of this Declaration.  Reference to Articles, Sections and
Exhibits means the Articles, Sections and Exhibits of this Declaration.  The
Exhibits are hereby incorporated by reference into, and shall be deemed a part
of, this Declaration.

                                  ARTICLE II.
                                  ORGANIZATION

          SECTION 2.1.  Name.  The Trust created by this Declaration is named
"TCI Communications Financing VI".  The Trust's activities may be conducted
under the name of the Trust or any other name deemed advisable by the Regular
Trustees.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
          SECTION 2.2.  Office.  The address of the principal office of the
Trust is c/o TCI Communications, Inc., 5619 DTC Parkway, Englewood, Colorado
80111.  At any time, the Regular Trustees may designate another principal
office.

          SECTION 2.3.  Purpose.  The exclusive purposes and functions of the
Trust are (a) to issue and sell Securities and use the proceeds from such sale
to acquire the Debt Securities and (b) except as otherwise limited herein, to
engage in only those other activities necessary or incidental thereto.  The
Trust shall not borrow money, issue debt or reinvest proceeds derived from
investments or pledge any of its assets.

          SECTION 2.4.  Authority.  Subject to the limitations provided in this
Declaration, the Regular Trustees shall have exclusive and complete authority to
carry out the purposes of the Trust. An action taken by the Regular Trustees in
accordance with their powers shall constitute the act of, and serve to bind, the
Trust.  In dealing with the Regular Trustees acting on behalf of the Trust, no
Person shall be required to inquire into the authority of the Regular Trustees
to bind the Trust. Persons dealing with the Trust are entitled to rely
conclusively on the power and authority of the Regular Trustees as set forth in
this Declaration.

          SECTION 2.5.  Title to Property of the Trust.  Legal title to all
assets of the Trust shall be vested in the Trust.

          SECTION 2.6.  Powers of the Regular Trustees.  The Regular Trustees
shall have the exclusive power and authority to cause the Trust to engage in the
following activities:

          (a)  to issue and sell the Preferred Securities and the Common
Securities in accordance with this Declaration; provided, however, that the
Trust may issue no more than one series of Preferred Securities and no more than
one series of Common Securities, and, provided further, there shall be no
interests in the Trust other than the Securities and the issuance of the
Securities shall be limited to a one-time, simultaneous issuance of both
Preferred Securities and Common Securities;

          (b)  in connection with the issue and sale of the Preferred
Securities, under the direction of the Sponsor, to:

               (i)  execute and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission
          a registration statement on Form S-3 prepared by the Sponsor in
          relation to the Preferred Securities, including any amendments thereto
          to be prepared by the Sponsor;

               (ii) determine the states in which to take appropriate action to
          qualify or register for sale all or part of the Preferred Securities
          and to take any and all such acts as they deem necessary or advisable
          to comply with the applicable laws of any of those states;

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
               (iii)  execute and file an application prepared by the Sponsor to
          the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. or any other national stock exchange
          and/or the Nasdaq National Market for listing upon notice of issuance
          of any Preferred Securities; and

               (iv)   execute and file with the Securities and Exchange
          Commission a registration statement on Form 8-A prepared by the
          Sponsor relating to the registration of the Preferred Securities under
          Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act, including any amendments
          thereto;

          (c)  to employ or otherwise engage employees and agents (who may be
designated as officers with titles) and managers, contractors, advisors, and
consultants and provide for reasonable compensation for such services;

          (d)  to incur expenses which are necessary or incidental to carry out
any of the purposes of this Declaration; and

          (e)  to execute all documents or instruments, perform all duties and
powers, and do all things for and on behalf of the Trust in all matters
necessary or incidental to the foregoing.

          SECTION 2.7.  Filing of Certificate of Trust.  On or after the
effective date of this Declaration, the Trustees shall cause the Certificate of
Trust for the Trust in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A to be filed with
the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

          SECTION 2.8.  Duration of Trust.  The Trust, absent termination
pursuant to the provisions of Section 5.2, shall have existence for fifty-five
years from the date hereof.

                                  ARTICLE III.
                                    TRUSTEES

          SECTION 3.1.  Trustees.  The number of Trustees shall initially be
three, and thereafter the number of Trustees shall be such number as shall be
fixed from time to time by a written instrument signed by the Sponsor.  The
Sponsor is entitled to appoint or remove without cause any Trustee at any time;
provided, that the number of Trustees shall in no event be less than three; and
provided further that one Trustee, in the case of a natural person, shall be a
person who is a resident of the State of Delaware or which, if not a natural
person, has its principal place of business in the State of Delaware and meets
the requirements of applicable Delaware law (the "Delaware Trustee").

          Except as expressly set forth in this Declaration, any power of the
Regular Trustees may be exercised by, or with the consent of, a majority of the
Regular Trustees; provided that if there are two or fewer Regular Trustees, all
powers of the Regular Trustees shall be exercised by, or with the consent of,
all of the Regular Trustees.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
          The initial Regular Trustees shall be:

               Bernard W. Schotters
               Stephen M. Brett

          The initial Delaware Trustee shall be:

               The Bank of New York (Delaware)

          SECTION 3.2.  Delaware Trustee.  Notwithstanding any other provisions
of this Declaration, the Delaware Trustee, in its capacity as Delaware Trustee,
shall not be entitled to exercise any of the powers, nor shall the Delaware
Trustee have any of the duties and responsibilities, of the Regular Trustees
described in this Declaration.  The Delaware Trustee shall be a Trustee for the
sole and limited purpose of fulfilling the requirements of Section 3807 of the
Business Trust Act.

          SECTION 3.3.  Execution of Documents.  (a) The Regular Trustees are
authorized to execute on behalf of the Trust any documents that the Regular
Trustees have the power and authority to cause the Trust to execute pursuant to
Section 2.6.

          (b)  The Regular Trustees may, by power of attorney consistent with
applicable law, delegate to any other natural person over the age of 21 their
power for the purposes of signing any documents which the Regular Trustees have
power and authority to cause the Trust to execute pursuant to Section 2.6.

                                  ARTICLE IV.
                           LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF
                   HOLDERS OF SECURITIES, TRUSTEES OR OTHERS

          SECTION 4.1.  Exculpation.  (a) No Indemnified Person shall be liable,
responsible or accountable in damages or otherwise to the Trust or any Covered
Person for any loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission
performed or omitted by such Indemnified Person in good faith on behalf of the
Trust and in a manner such Indemnified Person reasonably believed to be within
the scope of the authority conferred on such Indemnified Person by this
Declaration or by law, except that an Indemnified Person shall be liable for any
such loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of such Indemnified Person's gross
negligence or willful misconduct with respect to such acts or omissions.

          (b)  An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in relying in good
faith upon the records of the Trust and upon such information, opinions, reports
or statements presented to the Trust by any Person as to matters the Indemnified
Person reasonably believes are within such other Person's professional or expert
competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the
Trust, including information, opinions, reports or statements as to the value
and

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
amount of the assets, liabilities, profits, losses, or any other facts pertinent
to the existence and amount of assets from which distributions to Holders might
properly be paid.

          SECTION 4.2.  Fiduciary Duty.  (a) To the extent that, at law or in
equity, an Indemnified Person has duties (including fiduciary duties) and
liabilities relating thereto to the Trust or to any other Covered Person, an
Indemnified Person acting under this Declaration shall not be liable to the
Trust or to any other Covered Person for its good faith reliance on the
provisions of this Declaration.  The provisions of this Declaration, to the
extent that they restrict the duties and liabilities of an Indemnified Person
otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the parties hereto to
replace such other duties and liabilities of such Indemnified Person.

          (b)  Unless otherwise expressly provide herein:

               (i)  whenever a conflict of interest exists or arises between an
     Indemnified Person and Covered Persons, or

               (ii) whenever this Declaration or any other agreement
     contemplated herein or therein provides that an Indemnified Person shall
     act in a manner that is, or provides terms that are, fair and reasonable to
     the Trust or any Holder,

the Indemnified Person shall resolve such conflict of interest, take such action
or provide such terms, considering in each case the relative interest of each
party (including its own interest) to such conflict, agreement, transaction or
situation and the benefits and burdens relating to such interests, any customary
or accepted industry practices, and any applicable generally accepted accounting
practices or principles.  In the absence of bad faith by the Indemnified Person,
the resolution, action or term so made, taken or provided by the Indemnified
Person shall not constitute a breach of this Declaration or any other agreement
contemplated herein or of any duty or obligation of the Indemnified Person at
law or in equity or otherwise.

          (c)  Whenever in this Declaration an Indemnified Person is permitted
or required to make a decision:

               (i)  in its "discretion" or under a grant of similar authority,
     the Indemnified Person shall be entitled to consider such interest and
     factors as it desires, including its own interests, and shall have no duty
     or obligation to give any consideration to any interest of, or factors
     affecting, the Trust or any other Person; or

               (ii) in its "good faith" or under another express standard, the
     Indemnified Person shall act under such express standard and shall not be
     subject to any other or different standard imposed by this Declaration or
     by applicable law.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
          SECTION 4.3.  Indemnification.  (a) To the fullest extent permitted by
applicable law, the Sponsor shall indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnified
Person from and against any loss, damage or claim incurred by such Indemnified
Person by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such Indemnified
Person in good faith on behalf of the Trust and in a manner such Indemnified
Person reasonably believed to be within the scope of authority conferred on such
Indemnified Person by this Declaration, except that no Indemnified Person shall
be entitled to be indemnified in respect of any loss, damage or claim incurred
by such Indemnified Person by reason of gross negligence or willful misconduct
with respect to such acts or omissions.

          (b)  To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, expenses
(including legal fees) incurred by an Indemnified Person in defending any claim,
demand, action, suit or proceeding shall, from time to time, be advanced by the
Sponsor prior to the final disposition of such claim, demand, action, suit or
proceeding upon receipt by the Sponsor of an undertaking by or on behalf of the
Indemnified Person to repay such amount if it shall be determined that the
Indemnified Person is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized in Section
4.3(a).

          SECTION 4.4.  Other Businesses.  Any Covered Person, the Sponsor and
the Delaware Trustee may engage in or possess an interest in other business
ventures of any nature or description, independently or with others, similar or
dissimilar to the business of the Trust, and the Trust and the Holders shall
have no rights by virtue of this Declaration in and to such independent ventures
or the income or profits derived therefrom and the pursuit of any such venture,
even if competitive with the business of the Trust, shall not be deemed wrongful
or improper.  No Covered Person, the Sponsor or the Delaware Trustee shall be
obligated to present any particular investment or other opportunity to the Trust
even if such opportunity is of a character that, if presented to the Trust,
could be taken by the Trust, and any Covered Person, the Sponsor and the
Delaware Trustee shall have the right to take for its own account (individually
or as a partner or fiduciary) or to recommend to others any such particular
investment or other opportunity.  Any Covered Person and the Delaware Trustee
may engage or be interested in any financial or other transaction with the
Sponsor or any Affiliate of the Sponsor, or may act on any committee or body of
holders of securities or other obligations of the Sponsor or its Affiliates.

                                   ARTICLE V.
                     AMENDMENTS, TERMINATION, MISCELLANEOUS

          SECTION 5.1.  Amendments.  At any time before the issue of any
Securities, this Declaration may be amended by, and only by, a written
instrument executed by a majority of the Regular Trustees and the Sponsor.

          SECTION 5.2.  Termination of Trust. (a) The Trust shall terminate and
be of no further force or effect:

               (i)    upon the bankruptcy of the Sponsor;

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
               (ii)   upon the filing of a certificate of dissolution or its
          equivalent with respect to the Sponsor or the revocation of the
          Sponsor's Certificate of Incorporation;

               (iii)  upon the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of
          the Sponsor or the Trust; or

               (iv)   before the issue of any Securities, with the consent of at
          least a majority of the Regular Trustees and the Sponsor.

          (b)  As soon as is practicable after the occurrence of an event
referred to in Section 5.2(a), the Trustees shall file a Certificate of
Cancellation for the Trust with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

          SECTION 5.3.  Governing Law.  This Declaration and the rights of the
parties hereunder shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the
laws of the State of Delaware and all rights and remedies shall be governed by
such laws without regard to principles of conflict of laws.

          SECTION 5.4.  Successors and Assigns.  Whenever in this Declaration
any of the parties hereto is named or referred to, the successors and assigns of
such party shall be deemed to be included, and all covenants and agreements in
this Declaration by the Sponsor and the Trustees shall bind and inure to the
benefit of their respective successors and assigns, whether or not so expressed.

          SECTION 5.5.  Partial Enforceability.  If any provision of this
Declaration, or the application of such provision to any Person or circumstance,
shall be held invalid, the remainder of this Declaration, or the application of
such provision to any Person or circumstances other than those to which it is
held invalid, shall not be affected thereby.

          SECTION 5.6.  Counterparts.  This Declaration may contain more than
one counterpart of the signature page and this Declaration may be executed by
the affixing of the signature of each of the Trustees to one of such counterpart
signature pages.  All of such counterpart signature pages shall be read as
though one, and they shall have the same force and effect as though all of the
signers had signed a single signature page.

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Declaration of
Trust of TCI Communications Financing VI to be executed as of the day and year
first above written.

                                   TRUSTEES:


                                    /s/ Bernard W. Schotters
                                   -----------------------------------------
                                   Bernard W. Schotters, as Trustee



                                    /s/ Stephen M. Brett
                                   -----------------------------------------
                                   Stephen M. Brett, as Trustee


                                   THE BANK OF NEW YORK (DELAWARE),
                                     as Delaware Trustee


                                   By:  /s/ Joseph G. Ernst
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      Name: Joseph G. Ernst
                                      Title: Assistant Vice President


                                   SPONSOR:

                                   TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.



                                   By:  /s/ Stephen M. Brett
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      Name:  Stephen M. Brett
                                      Title: Senior Vice President

                                      -10-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT A

                              CERTIFICATE OF TRUST
                                       OF
                        TCI COMMUNICATIONS FINANCING VI

     This Certificate of Trust of TCI Communications Financing VI (the "Trust")
dated October 31, 1996, is being duly executed and filed by the undersigned, as
trustees, to form a business trust pursuant to the Delaware Business Trust Act,
12 Del. C. (S) 3801, et seq.. The undersigned, as trustees, do hereby certify as
   -------           -------                                                    
follows:

     1.The name of the business trust being formed hereby is "TCI Communications
Financing VI".

     2.The name and business address of the trustee of the Trust which has its
principal place of business in the State of Delaware is as follows:

                         The Bank of New York (Delaware)
                         400 White Clay Center, Route 273
                         Newark, Delaware 19711

     3.This Certificate of Trust shall be effective as of the date of filing.

<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the sole trustees of the Trust,
have executed this Certificate of Trust in one or more counterparts as of the
date first above written.
 
 
                                        ________________________________________
                                        Bernard W. Schotters, as Trustee
 
 
 
                                        ________________________________________
                                        Stephen M. Brett, as Trustee
 
                                        THE BANK OF NEW YORK (DELAWARE),
                                          as Trustee
 
 
                                        By:_____________________________________
                                           Name:
                                           Title:

                                      -12-

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.11



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



                       AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION

                                   OF TRUST


                        TCI COMMUNICATIONS FINANCING V


                         Dated as of _______ __, 199_



                     ====================================
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
                               -----------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          Page
                                                                          ----
<S>            <C>                                                        <C>
                                   ARTICLE I
                        INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS

SECTION   1.1            Definitions....................................    3
                         -----------

                                  ARTICLE II
                              TRUST INDENTURE ACT

SECTION 2.1    Trust Indenture Act; Application.........................   10
               --------------------------------
SECTION 2.2    Lists of Holders of Securities...........................   11
               ------------------------------
SECTION 2.3    Reports by the Property Trustee..........................   12
               -------------------------------
SECTION 2.4    Periodic Reports to Property Trustee.....................   12
               ------------------------------------
SECTION 2.5
               Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Prece-
               ---------------------------------------------
               dent.....................................................   12
               ----
SECTION 2.6    Events of Default; Waiver................................   12
               -------------------------
SECTION 2.7    Event of Default; Notice.................................   15
               ------------------------

                                  ARTICLE III
                                 ORGANIZATION

SECTION 3.1    Name.....................................................   15
               ----
SECTION 3.2    Office...................................................   16
               ------
SECTION 3.3    Purpose..................................................   16
               -------
SECTION 3.4    Authority................................................   16
               ---------
SECTION 3.5    Title to Property of the Trust...........................   17
               ------------------------------
SECTION 3.6    Powers and Duties of the Regular Trustees................   17
               -----------------------------------------
SECTION 3.7    Prohibition of Actions by the Trust and the
               -------------------------------------------
               Trustees.................................................   20
               --------
SECTION 3.8    Powers and Duties of the Property Trustee................   22
               -----------------------------------------
SECTION 3.9    Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the
               ------------------------------------------
               Property Trustee.........................................   24
               ----------------
SECTION 3.10   Certain Rights of the Property Trustee...................   27
               --------------------------------------   
SECTION 3.11   Delaware Trustee.........................................   29
               ----------------                         
SECTION 3.12   Execution of Documents...................................   30
               ----------------------                     
SECTION 3.13   Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of
               -------------------------------------------
               Securities...............................................   30
               ----------
SECTION 3.14   Duration of Trust........................................   30
               -----------------                         
SECTION 3.15   Mergers..................................................   30
               -------
</TABLE>

                                       i
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          Page
                                                                          ----
<S>            <C>                                                        <C>
                                  ARTICLE IV
                                   SPONSOR

SECTION 4.1    Sponsor's Purchase of Common Securities..................   33
               ---------------------------------------
SECTION 4.2    Responsibilities of the Sponsor..........................   33
               -------------------------------
SECTION 4.3    Expenses.................................................   34
               --------

                                    ARTICLE
                                   VTRUSTEES

SECTION 5.1    Number of Trustees.......................................   35
               ------------------
SECTION 5.2    Delaware Trustee.........................................   35
               ----------------
SECTION 5.3    Property Trustee; Eligibility............................   36
               -----------------------------
SECTION 5.4    Qualifications of Regular Trustees and Dela-
               --------------------------------------------
               ware Trustee Generally...................................   37
               ----------------------
SECTION 5.5    Initial Trustees.........................................   37
               ----------------
SECTION 5.6    Appointment, Removal and Resignation ofTrustees..........   37
               -----------------------------------------------
SECTION 5.7    Vacancies among Trustees.................................   39
               ------------------------
SECTION 5.8    Effect of Vacancies......................................   39
               -------------------
SECTION 5.9    Meetings.................................................   40
               --------
SECTION 5.10   Delegation of Power......................................   41
               -------------------

                                  ARTICLE VI
                                 DISTRIBUTIONS

SECTION 6.1    Distributions............................................   41
               -------------

                                  ARTICLE VII
                            ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES

SECTION 7.1    General Provisions Regarding Securities..................   42
               ---------------------------------------

                                 ARTICLE VIII
                             TERMINATION OF TRUST

SECTION 8.1    Termination of Trust.....................................   43
               --------------------
</TABLE>

                                      ii
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          Page
                                                                          ----
<S>            <C>                                                        <C>
                                  ARTICLE IX
                             TRANSFER OF INTERESTS

SECTION 9.1    Transfer of Securities...................................   44
               ----------------------
SECTION 9.2    Transfer of Certificates.................................   45
               ------------------------
SECTION 9.3    Deemed Security Holders..................................   45
               -----------------------
SECTION 9.4    Book Entry Interests.....................................   46
               --------------------
SECTION 9.5    Notices to Clearing Agency...............................   47
               --------------------------
SECTION 9.6    Appointment of Successor Clearing Agency.................   47
               ----------------------------------------
SECTION 9.7    Definitive Preferred Security Certificates...............   47
               ------------------------------------------
SECTION 9.8    Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certifi-
               --------------------------------------------
               cates....................................................   48
               -----

                                   ARTICLE X
                          LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF
                   HOLDERS OF SECURITIES, TRUSTEES OR OTHERS

SECTION 10.1   Liability................................................   49
               ---------
SECTION 10.2   Exculpation..............................................   49
               -----------
SECTION 10.3   Fiduciary Duty...........................................   50
               --------------
SECTION 10.4   Indemnification..........................................   51
               ---------------
SECTION 10.5   Outside Businesses.......................................   52
               ------------------

                                  ARTICLE XI
                                  ACCOUNTING

SECTION 11.1   Fiscal Year..............................................   53
               -----------
SECTION 11.2   Certain Accounting Matters...............................   53
               --------------------------
SECTION 11.3   Banking..................................................   54
               -------
SECTION 11.4   Withholding..............................................   54
               -----------

                                  ARTICLE XII
                            AMENDMENTS AND MEETINGS

SECTION 12.1   Amendments...............................................   55
               ----------
SECTION 12.2  Meetings of the Holders; Action by Written
              ------------------------------------------
              Consent...................................................   57
              -------
</TABLE>

                                      iii
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          Page
                                                                          ----
<S>            <C>                                                        <C>
                                 ARTICLE XIII
                      REPRESENTATIONS OF PROPERTY TRUSTEE
                             AND DELAWARE TRUSTEE

               SECTION 13.1  Representations and Warranties of Property
                             ------------------------------------------
                             Trustee....................................   59
                             -------
               SECTION 13.2  Representations and Warranties of Delaware
                             ------------------------------------------
                             Trustee....................................   60
                             -------

                                  ARTICLE XIV
                                 MISCELLANEOUS
               SECTION 14.1  Notices....................................   61
                             -------
               SECTION 14.2  Governing Law..............................   63
                             -------------
               SECTION 14.3  Intention of the Parties...................   63
                             ------------------------
               SECTION 14.4  Headings...................................   63
                             --------
               SECTION 14.5  Successors and Assigns.....................   63
                             ----------------------
               SECTION 14.6  Partial Enforceability.....................   63
                             ----------------------
               SECTION 14.7  Counterparts...............................   64
                             ------------

ANNEX I                      TERMS OF SECURITIES........................  I-1
EXHIBIT A-1                  FORM OF PREFERRED SECURITY
                               CERTIFICATE.............................. A1-1
EXHIBIT A-2                  FORM OF COMMON SECURITY CERTIFICATE........ A2-1
EXHIBIT B                    SPECIMEN OF SUBORDINATED NOTE..............  B-1
EXHIBIT C                    UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT.....................  C-1
</TABLE>

                                      iv
<PAGE>
 
                            CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Section of
Trust Indenture Act                                    Section of
of 1939, as amended                                    Declaration
- -------------------                                    -----------
<S>                                                    <C>
310(a)..............................................   5.3(a)
310(b)..............................................   5.3(c), 5.3(d)
310(c)..............................................   Inapplicable
311(a)..............................................   2.2(b)
311(b)..............................................   2.2(b)
311(c)..............................................   Inapplicable
312(a)..............................................   2.2(a)
312(b)..............................................   2.2(b)
313.................................................   2.3
314(a)..............................................   2.4
314(b)..............................................   Inapplicable
314(c)..............................................   2.5
314(d)..............................................   Inapplicable
314(e)..............................................   1.1, 2.5
314(f)..............................................   Inapplicable
315(a)..............................................   3.9(b)
315(c)..............................................   3.9(a)
315(d)..............................................   3.9(b)
316(a)..............................................   Annex I
316(c)..............................................   3.6(e)
317(a)..............................................   3.8(d)
317(b)..............................................   3.8(h)
</TABLE>
_____________________

*    This Cross-Reference Table does not constitute part of the Declaration and
     shall not affect the interpretation of any of its terms or provisions.

                                       v
<PAGE>
 
                             AMENDED AND RESTATED
                             DECLARATION OF TRUST
                                      OF
                        TCI COMMUNICATIONS FINANCING V

                              _________ __, 199_



          AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST ("Declaration"), dated and
effective as of _________ __, 199_, by the Trustees (as defined herein), the
Sponsor (as defined herein) and by the holders, from time to time, of undivided
beneficial interests in the Trust to be issued pursuant to this Declaration.


                              W I T N E S S E T H:
                              ------------------- 

          WHEREAS, the Trustees and the Sponsor established TCI Communications
Financing V (the "Trust"), as a business trust under the Delaware Business Trust
Act pursuant to a Declaration of Trust dated as of October __, 1996 (the
"Original Declaration") and a Certificate of Trust filed with the Secretary of
State of the State of Delaware on October __, 1996, for the sole purpose of
issuing and selling certain securities representing undivided beneficial
interests in the assets of the Trust and investing the proceeds thereof in
certain Subordinated Notes of the Subordinated Note Issuer (as defined herein);

          WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, no interests in the Trust have been
issued; and

          WHEREAS, all of the Trustees and the Sponsor, by this Declaration,
amend and restate each and every term and provision of the Original Declaration.

          NOW, THEREFORE, it being the intention of the parties hereto to
continue the Trust as a business trust under the Business Trust Act and that
this Declaration constitute the governing instrument of such business trust,
the Trustees declare that all assets contributed to the Trust will be held in
trust for the benefit of the holders, from time to time, of the securi-
<PAGE>
 
ties representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust
issued hereunder, subject to the provisions of this Declaration.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE I
                        INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS

 SECTION  1.1  Definitions.
               ----------- 

          Unless the context otherwise requires:

          (a)  Capitalized terms used in this Declaration but not defined in the
preamble above have the respective meanings as signed to them in this Section
1.1;

          (b)  a term defined anywhere in this Declaration has the same meaning
     throughout;

          (c)  all references to "the Declaration" or "this Declaration" are to
     this Declaration as modified, supplemented or amended from time to time;

          (d)  all references in this Declaration to Articles and Sections and
     Annexes and Exhibits are to Articles and Sec tions of and Annexes and
     Exhibits to this Declaration unless otherwise specified;

          (e)  a term defined in the Trust Indenture Act has the same meaning
     when used in this Declaration unless otherwise defined in this Declaration
     or unless the context otherwise requires; and

          (f)  a reference in this Declaration to the singular includes the
     plural and vice versa.

          "Affiliate" has the same meaning as given to that term in Rule 405 of
           ---------                                                           
the Securities Act or any successor rule thereunder.

          "Authorized Officer" of a Person means any Person that is authorized
           ------------------                                                 
to bind such Person.

          "Book Entry Interest" means a beneficial interest in a Global
           -------------------                                         
Certificate, ownership and transfers of which shall be maintained and made
through book entries by a Clearing Agency as described in Section 9.4.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
          "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or any
           ------------                                                      
other day on which banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized or
required by law to close.

          "Business Trust Act" means Chapter 38 of Title 12 of the Delaware
           ------------------                                              
Code, 12 Del. Code (S)3801 et seq., as it may be amended from time to time.
      ------------         -- ---                                          

          "Certificate" means a Common Security Certificate or a Preferred
           -----------                                                    
Security Certificate.

          "Clearing Agency" means an organization registered as a "clearing
           ---------------                                                 
agency" pursuant to Section 17A of the Exchange Act that is acting as depositary
for the Preferred Securities and in whose name or in the name of a nominee of
that organization shall be registered a Global Certificate and which shall
undertake to effect book entry transfers and pledges of the Preferred Securi
ties.

          "Clearing Agency Participant" means a broker, dealer, bank or other
           ---------------------------                                       
financial institution or other Person for whom from time to time the Clearing
Agency effects book entry transfers and pledges of securities deposited with the
Clearing Agency.

          "Closing Date" means ______________, 199_.
           ------------                             

          "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended from time to
           ----                                                                 
time, or any successor legislation.

          "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
           ----------                                                

          "Common Securities Guarantee" means the guarantee agreement, dated as
           ---------------------------                                         
of ____________, ____, of the Sponsor in respect of the Common Securities.

          "Common Security" has the meaning specified in Section 7.1.
           ---------------                                           

          "Common Security Certificate" means a definitive certificate in fully
           ---------------------------                                         
registered form representing a Common Security substantially in the form of
Exhibit A-2.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
          "Covered Person" means: (a) any officer, director, shareholder,
           --------------                                                
partner, member, representative, employee or agent of (i) the Trust or (ii) the
Trust's Affiliates; and (b) any Holder of Securities.


          "Delaware Trustee" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2.
           ----------------                                           

          "Definitive Preferred Security Certificates" has the meaning set forth
           ------------------------------------------                           
in Section 9.4.

          "Direction" by a Person means a written direction signed:
           ---------                                               

          (a)  if the Person is a natural Person, by that Person; or

          (b)  in any other case, in the name of such Person by one or more
Authorized Officers of that Person.

          "Distribution" means a distribution payable to Holders of Securities
           ------------                                                       
in accordance with Section 6.1.

          "DTC" means the Depository Trust Company, the initial Clearing Agency.
           ---                                                                  

          "Event of Default" in respect of the Securities means an Event of
           ----------------                                                
Default (as defined in the Indenture) has occurred and is continuing in respect
of the Subordinated Notes.

          "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
           ------------                                                       
from time to time, or any successor legislation.

          "Global Certificate" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.4.
           ------------------                                           

          "Holder" means a Person in whose name a Certificate representing a
           ------                                                           
Security is registered, such Person being a beneficial owner within the meaning
of the Business Trust Act.

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
          "Indemnified Person" means (a) any Trustee; (b) any Affiliate of any
           ------------------                                                 
Trustee; (c) any officers, directors, sharehold  ers, members, partners,
employees, representatives or agents of any Trustee; or (d) any employee or
agent of the Trust or its Affiliates.

          "Indenture" means the Indenture dated as of January 29, 1996, as
           ---------                                                      
amended and supplemented by a ______ Supplemental Indenture, dated as of
___________, ____, among the Subordinated Note Issuer and the Subordinated Note
Trustee, and any further indenture supplemental thereto relating to the
Subordinated Notes.

          "Investment Company" means an investment company (as defined in the
           ------------------                                                
Investment Company Act) that is required to register as such under the
Investment Company Act.

          "Investment Company Act"  means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
           ----------------------                                               
amended from time to time, or any successor legislation.

          "Investment Company Event" has the meaning set forth in Annex I
           ------------------------                                      
hereto.

          "Legal Action" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.6(g).
           ------------                                              

          "Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities" means, except as
           ------------------------------------------------                  
provided in the terms of the Preferred Securi  ties and by the Trust Indenture
Act, Holder(s) of outstanding Securities voting together as a single class or,
as the context may require, Holders of outstanding Preferred Securities or
Holders of outstanding Common Securities voting separately as a class, who are
the record owners of more than 50% of the aggre  gate liquidation amount
(including the stated amount that would be paid on redemption, liquidation or
otherwise, plus accrued and unpaid Distributions to the date upon which the
voting percentag  es are determined) of all outstanding Securities of the
relevant class.

          "Ministerial Action" has the meaning set forth in the terms of the
           ------------------                                               
Securities as set forth in Annex I.

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
          "Officers' Certificate" means, with respect to any Person, a
           ---------------------                                      
certificate signed by two Authorized Officers of such Person.  Any Officers'
Certificate delivered with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant
provided for in this Declaration shall include:

          (a)  a statement that each officer signing the Certifi cate has read
     the covenant or condition and the definitions relating thereto;

          (b)  a brief statement of the nature and scope of the examination or
     investigation undertaken by each officer in rendering the Certificate;

          (c)  a statement that each such officer has made such examination or
     investigation as, in such officer's opinion, is necessary to enable such
     officer to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant
     or condition has been complied with; and

          (d)  a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such officer,
     such condition or covenant has been complied with.

          "Paying Agent" has the meaning specified in Section 3.8(h).
           ------------                                              

          "Person" means a legal person, including any individu al, corporation,
           ------                                                               
estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, limited
liability company, trust, unincorporated association or government or any
agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity of whatever nature.

          "Preferred Securities Guarantee" means the guarantee agreement, dated
           ------------------------------                                      
as of ______, 199_, of the Sponsor in respect of the Preferred Securities.

          "Preferred Security" has the meaning specified in Section 7.1.
           ------------------                                           

          "Preferred Security Beneficial Owner" means, with respect to a Book
           -----------------------------------                               
Entry Interest, a Person who is the beneficial

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
owner of such Book Entry Interest, as reflected on the books of the Clearing
Agency, or on the books of a Person maintaining an account with such Clearing
Agency (directly as a Clearing Agency Participant or as an indirect participant,
in each case in accordance with the rules of such Clearing Agency).

          "Preferred Security Certificate" means a certificate representing a
           ------------------------------                                    
Preferred Security substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1.

          "Pricing Agreement" means the pricing agreement among the Trust, the
           -----------------                                                  
Subordinated Note Issuer and the underwriters designated by the Regular Trustees
with respect to the offer and sale of the Preferred Securities.

          "Property Trustee" means the Trustee meeting the eligibility
           ----------------                                           
requirements set forth in Section 5.3.

          "Property Trustee Account" has the meaning set forth in Section
           ------------------------                                      
3.8(c).

          "Quorum" means a majority of the Regular Trustees or, if there are
           ------                                                           
only two Regular Trustees, both of them.

          "Regular Trustee" means any Trustee other than the Property Trustee
           ---------------                                                   
and the Delaware Trustee.

          "Related Party" means, with respect to the Sponsor, any direct or
           -------------                                                   
indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Sponsor or any other Person that owns,
directly or indirectly, 100% of the outstanding voting securities of the
Sponsor.

          "Responsible Officer" means, with respect to the Property Trustee, any
           -------------------                                                  
vice president, any assistant vice president, the secretary, any assistant
secretary, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer, any trust officer or
assistant trust officer or any other officer in the corporate trust department
of the Property Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those
performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect
to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is
referred because of that

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
officer's knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

          "Rule 3a-7" means Rule 3a-7 under the Investment Company Act.
           ---------                                                   

          "Securities" means the Common Securities and the Preferred Securities.
           ----------                                                           

          "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from
           --------------                                                   
time to time, or any successor legislation.

          "Securities Guarantees" means the Preferred Securities Guarantee and
           ---------------------                                              
the Common Securities Guarantee.

          "Special Event" has the meaning set forth in Annex I hereto.
           -------------                                              

          "Sponsor" means TCI Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or
           -------                                                            
any successor entity in a merger, consolidation or amalgamation, in its capacity
as sponsor of the Trust.

          "Subordinated Note Issuer" means the Sponsor in its capacity as issuer
           ------------------------                                             
of the Subordinated Notes.

          "Subordinated Note Trustee" means The Bank of New York, as trustee
           -------------------------                                        
under the Indenture until a successor is appointed thereunder, and thereafter
means such successor trustee.

          "Subordinated Notes" means the __% Subordinated Deferrable Interest
           ------------------                                                 
Notes Due ____, 20__ to be issued by the Subordinated Note Issuer under the
Indenture and held by the Property Trustee.  A specimen certificate representing
a Subordinated Note is attached hereto as Exhibit B.  The Subordinated Notes
will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to certain other indebtedness
of the Subordinated Note Issuer as set forth in the Indenture.

          "Super Majority" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(a)(ii).
           --------------                                                   

          "Tax Event" has the meaning set forth in Annex I hereto.
           ---------                    
                          
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
          "10% in liquidation amount of the Securities" means, except as
           -------------------------------------------                  
provided in the terms of the Preferred Securities or by the Trust Indenture Act,
Holders of outstanding Securities voting together as a single class or, as the
context may require, Holders of outstanding Preferred Securities or Holders of
outstanding Common Securities, voting separately as a class, representing
10% of the aggregate liquidation amount (including the stated amount that would
be paid on redemption, liquidation or otherwise, plus accrued and unpaid
Distributions to the date upon which the voting percentages are determined) of
all outstanding Securities of the relevant class.

          "Treasury Regulations" means the income tax regula tions, including
           --------------------                                              
temporary and proposed regulations, promulgated under the Code by the United
States Treasury, as such regulations may be amended from time to time (including
corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations).

          "Trustee" or "Trustees" means each Person who has signed this
           -------      --------                                       
Declaration as a trustee, so long as such Person shall continue in office in
accordance with the terms hereof, and all other Persons who may from time to
time be duly appointed, qualified and serving as Trustees in accordance with the
provisions hereof, and references herein to a Trustee or the Trustees shall
refer to such Person or Persons solely in their capacity as trustees hereunder.

          "Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
           -------------------                                           
amended to the date hereof.

          "Underwriting Agreement" means the Underwriting Agree ment for the
           ----------------------                                           
offering and sale of Preferred Securities in the form of Exhibit C.


                                   ARTICLE II
                              TRUST INDENTURE ACT

 SECTION 2.1   Trust Indenture Act; Application.
               -------------------------------- 

          (a)  This Declaration is subject to the provisions of the Trust
Indenture Act that are required to be part of this

                                      10
<PAGE>
 
Declaration and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

          (b)  The Property Trustee shall be the only Trustee that is a Trustee
for the purposes of the Trust Indenture Act.

          (c)  If and to the extent that any provision of this Declaration
limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by (S)(S) 310 to 317,
inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall control.

          (d)  The application of the Trust Indenture Act to this Declaration
shall not affect the nature of the Securities as equity securities representing
undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust.

 SECTION 2.2   Lists of Holders of Securities.
               ------------------------------ 

          (a)  Each of the Sponsor and the Regular Trustees on behalf of the
Trust shall provide the Property Trustee (i) within 14 days after each record
date for payment of Distributions, a list, in such form as the Property Trustee
may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of the Securi-
ties ("List of Holders") as of such record date, provided that neither the
                                                 -------------            
Sponsor nor the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust shall be obligated to
provide such List of Holders at any time the List of Holders does not differ
from the most recent List of Holders given to the Property Trustee by the
Sponsor and the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust, and (ii) at any other
time, within 30 days of receipt by the Trust of a written request therefor, a
List of Holders as of a date no more than 14 days before such List of Holders is
given to the Property Trustee.  The Property Trustee shall preserve, in as
current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information contained in Lists
of Holders given to it or which it receives in the capacity of Paying Agent (if
acting in such capacity); provided that the Property Trustee may destroy any
                          -------------                                     
List of Holders previously given to it on receipt of a new List of Holders.

          (b)  The Property Trustee shall comply with its obli gations under
(S)(S) 311(a), 311(b) and 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

                                      11
<PAGE>
 
 SECTION 2.3   Reports by the Property Trustee.
               ------------------------------- 

          Within 60 days after May 15 of each year or at such other time as
required under (S) 313(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Property Trustee shall
provide to the Holders of the Pre ferred Securities such reports as are required
by (S) 313 of the Trust Indenture Act, if any, in the form and in the manner
provided by (S) 313 of the Trust Indenture Act. The Property Trustee shall also
comply with the requirements of (S) 313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act.

 SECTION 2.4   Periodic Reports to Property Trustee.
               ------------------------------------ 

          Each of the Sponsor and the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust
shall provide to the Property Trustee such docu ments, reports and information
as required by (S) 314 (if any) and the compliance certificate required by (S)
314 of the Trust Inden ture Act in the form, in the manner and at the times
required by (S) 314 of the Trust Indenture Act.

 SECTION 2.5   Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent.
               ------------------------------------------------- 

          Each of the Sponsor and the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust
shall provide to the Property Trustee such evidence of compliance with any
conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Declaration that relate to
any of the matters set forth in (S) 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any
certificate or opinion required to be given by an officer pursuant to (S)
314(c)(1) may be given in the form of an Officers' Certificate.

 SECTION 2.6   Events of Default; Waiver.
               ------------------------- 

          (a)  The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of Preferred
Securities may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Preferred
Securities, waive any past Event of Default in respect of the Preferred
Securities and its consequences, provided that, if the underlying Event of
                                 -------- ----                            
Default under the Indenture:

                                      12
<PAGE>
 
          (i)   is not waivable under the Indenture, the Event of Default under
     the Declaration shall also not be waivable; or

          (ii)  requires the consent or vote of greater than a majority in
     principal amount of the holders of the Subor dinated Notes (a "Super
     Majority") to be waived under the Indenture, the Event of Default under the
     Declaration may only be waived by the vote of the Holders of at least the
     proportion in liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities outstanding
     that the relevant Super Majority represents of the aggregate principal
     amount of the Subordinated Notes outstanding.

The foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(a) shall be in lieu of (S)
316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and such (S) 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust
Indenture Act is hereby expressly excluded from this Declaration and the
Securities, as permitted by the Trust Indenture Act.  Upon such waiver, any such
default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default with respect to the
Preferred Securities arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for
every purpose of this Declaration, but no such waiver shall extend to any
subsequent or other default or Event of Default with respect to the Preferred
Securities or impair any right consequent thereon.  Any waiver by the Holders of
the Preferred Securities of an Event of Default with respect to the Preferred
Securities shall also be deemed to constitute a waiver by the Holders of the
Common Securities of any such Event of Default with respect to the Common
Securities for all purposes of this Declaration without any further act, vote,
or consent of the Holders of the Common Securities.

          (b)  The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common
Securities may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Common
Securities, waive any past Event of Default with respect to the Common
Securities and its consequences, provided that, if the underlying Event of
                                 -------------                            
Default under the Indenture:

          (i)  is not waivable under the Indenture, except where the Holders of
     the Common Securities are deemed to have waived such Event of Default under
     the Declaration as

                                      13
<PAGE>
 
     provided below in this Section 2.6(b), the Event of Default under the
     Declaration shall also not be waivable; or

          (ii)  requires the consent or vote of a Super Majority to be waived,
     except where the Holders of the Common Securities are deemed to have
     waived such Event of Default under the Declaration as provided below in
     this Section 2.6(b), the Event of Default under the Declaration may only be
     waived by the vote of the Holders of at least the proportion in liquidation
     amount of the Common Securities outstanding that the relevant Super
     Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated
     Notes outstanding;

provided further, each Holder of Common Securities will be deemed to have waived
- -------- -------                                                                
any such Event of Default and all Events of Default with respect to the Common
Securities and its consequences until all Events of Default with respect to
the Preferred Securities have been cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, and
until such Events of Default have been so cured, waived or otherwise
eliminated, the Property Trustee will be deemed to be acting solely on behalf of
the Holders of the Preferred Securities and only the Holders of the Preferred
Securities will have the right to direct the Property Trustee in accordance with
the terms of the Securities.  The foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(b)
shall be in lieu of (S)(S) 316(a)(1)(A) and 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture
Act and such (S)(S) 316(a)(1)(A) and 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act are
hereby expressly excluded from this Declaration and the Securities, as permitted
by the Trust Indenture Act.  Subject to the foregoing provisions of this
Section 2.6(b), upon such waiver, any such default shall cease to exist and any
Event of Default with respect to the Common Securities arising therefrom shall
be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Declaration, but no such
waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default with
respect to the Common Securities or impair any right consequent thereon.

          (c)  A waiver of an Event of Default under the Indenture by the
Property Trustee at the direction of the Holders of the Preferred Securities
constitutes a waiver of the corresponding Event of Default under this
Declaration. The foregoing pro visions of this Section 2.6(c) shall be in lieu
of (S) 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and such (S) 316(a)(1)(B) of the
Trust

                                      14
<PAGE>
 
Indenture Act is hereby expressly excluded from this Declaration and the
Securities, as permitted by the Trust Indenture Act.

 SECTION 2.7   Event of Default; Notice.
               ------------------------ 

          (a)  The Property Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence
of an Event of Default, transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, to the
Holders of the Securities, notices of all defaults with respect to the
Securities known to the Property Trustee, unless such defaults have been cured
before the giving of such notice (the term "defaults" for the purposes of this
Section 2.7(a) being hereby defined to be an Event of Default as defined in the
Indenture, not including any periods of grace provided for therein and
irrespective of the giving of any notice provided therein); provided that,
                                                            -------------
except for a default in the payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or
interest on any of the Subordinated Notes, the Property Trustee shall be
protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors,
the executive committee, or a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible
Officers of the Property Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding
of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Securities.

          (b)  the Property Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any
default except:

          (i)   a default under Sections 6.01(a) and 6.01(b) of the Indenture;
     or

          (ii)  any default as to which the Property Trustee shall have received
     written notice or a Responsible Officer charged with the administration of
     the Declaration shall have obtained written notice.


                                  ARTICLE III
                                 ORGANIZATION

 SECTION 3.1   Name.
               ---- 

          The Trust is named "TCI Communications Financing V," as such name may
be modified from time to time by the Regular 

                                      15
<PAGE>
 
Trustees following written notice to the Holders of the Securities.  The
Trust's activities may be conducted under the name of the Trust or any other
name deemed advisable by the Regular Trustees.

 SECTION 3.2   Office.
               ------ 

          The address of the principal office of the Trust is c/o TCI
Communications, Inc., Terrace Tower II, 5619 DTC Parkway, Englewood, Colorado
80111-3000. On ten Business Days written notice to the Holders of the
Securities, the Regular Trustees may designate another principal office.

 SECTION 3.3   Purpose.
               ------- 

          The exclusive purposes and functions of the Trust are (a) to issue and
sell the Securities and use the proceeds from such sale to purchase and hold the
Subordinated Notes and the Preferred Securities Guarantee, and (b) except as
otherwise limited herein, to engage in only those other activities necessary,
or incidental thereto. The Trust shall not borrow money, issue debt or reinvest
proceeds derived from investments, pledge any of its assets, or otherwise
undertake (or permit to be undertaken) any activity that would cause the Trust
not to be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor
trust.

 SECTION 3.4   Authority.
               --------- 

          Subject to the limitations provided in this Declaration and to the
specific duties of the Property Trustee, the Regular Trustees shall have
exclusive and complete authority to carry out the purposes of the Trust. An
action taken by the Regular Trustees in accordance with their powers shall
constitute the act of and serve to bind the Trust and an action taken by the
Property Trustee in accordance with its powers shall constitute the act of and
serve to bind the Trust. In dealing with the Trustees acting on behalf of the
Trust, no person shall be required to inquire into the authority of the Trustees
to bind the Trust. Persons dealing with the Trust are entitled to rely
conclusively on the power and authority of the Trustees as set forth in this
Declaration.

                                      16
<PAGE>
 
 SECTION 3.5   Title to Property of the Trust.
               ------------------------------ 

          Except as provided in Section 3.8 with respect to the Subordinated
Notes and the Property Trustee Account or as other wise provided in this
Declaration, legal title to all assets of the Trust shall be vested in the
Trust. The Holders shall not have legal title to any part of the assets of the
Trust, but shall have an undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the
Trust.

 SECTION 3.6   Powers and Duties of the Regular Trustees.
               ----------------------------------------- 

          The Regular Trustees shall have the exclusive power, duty and
authority to cause the Trust to engage in the following activities:

          (a)  to issue and sell the Preferred Securities and the Common
Securities in accordance with this Declaration; provided, however, that the
                                                --------  -------    
Trust may issue no more than one series of Preferred Securities and no more than
one series of Common Securities, and, provided further, that there shall be no
                                      -------- -------
interests in the Trust other than the Securities, and the issu ance of
Securities shall be limited to a one-time, simultaneous issuance of both
Preferred Securities and Common Securities on the Closing Date;

          (b)  in connection with the issue and sale of the Preferred
Securities, at the direction of the Sponsor, to:

          (i)  execute and file with the Commission the regis tration statement
     on Form S-3 prepared by the Sponsor, including any amendments thereto,
     pertaining to the Pre ferred Securities;

          (ii) execute and file any documents prepared by the Sponsor, or take
     any acts as determined by the Sponsor to be necessary in order to qualify
     or register all or part of the Preferred Securities in any State in which
     the Sponsor has determined to qualify or register such Preferred Securities
     for sale;

                                      17
<PAGE>
 
          (iii) execute and file an application, prepared by the Sponsor, to
     the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. or any other national stock exchange or
     the Nasdaq Stock Market's National Market for listing upon notice of
     issuance of any Preferred Securities;

          (iv)  execute and file with the Commission a registra tion statement
     on Form 8-A, including any amendments there to, prepared by the Sponsor,
     relating to the registration of the Preferred Securities under Section
     12(b) of the Exchange Act; and

          (v)   execute and enter into the Underwriting Agreement and Pricing
     Agreement providing for the sale of the Preferred Securities;

          (c)  to acquire the Subordinated Notes and the Preferred Securities
Guarantee with the proceeds of the sale of the Preferred Securities and the
Common Securities; provided, however, that the Regular Trustees shall
                   --------  --------
cause legal title to the Subordinated Notes to be held of record in the name of
the Property Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Preferred Securities
and the Holders of the Common Securities;

          (d)  to give the Sponsor and the Property Trustee prompt written
notice of the occurrence of a Special Event; provided that the Regular Trustees
                                             -------- ----   
shall consult with the Sponsor and the Property Trustee before taking or
refraining from taking any Ministerial Action in relation to a Special Event;

          (e)  to establish a record date with respect to all actions to be
taken hereunder that require a record date be established, including and with
respect to, for the purposes of (S)316(c) of the Trust Indenture Act,
Distributions, voting rights, redemptions and exchanges, and to issue relevant
notices to the Holders of Preferred Securities and Holders of Common Securities
as to such actions and applicable record dates;

          (f)  to take all actions and perform such duties as may be required of
the Regular Trustees pursuant to the terms of the Securities;

                                      18
<PAGE>
 
          (g)  to bring or defend, pay, collect, compromise, arbitrate, resort
to legal action, or otherwise adjust claims or demands of or against the Trust
("Legal Action"), unless pursuant to Section 3.8(e), the Property Trustee has
the exclusive power to bring such Legal Action;

          (h)  to employ or otherwise engage employees and agents (who may be
designated as officers with titles) and managers, contractors, advisors, and
consultants and pay reasonable compensation for such services;

          (i)  to cause the Trust to comply with the Trust's obligations under
the Trust Indenture Act;

          (j)  to give the certificate required by (S) 314(a)(4) of the Trust
Indenture Act to the Property Trustee, which certif icate may be executed by any
Regular Trustee;

          (k)  to incur expenses that are necessary or incidental to carry out
any of the purposes of the Trust;

          (l)  to act as, or appoint another Person to act as, registrar and
transfer agent for the Securities;

          (m)  to give prompt written notice to the Holders of the Securities of
any notice received from the Subordinated Note Issuer of its election to defer
payments of interest on the Subordinated Notes by extending the interest payment
period under the Indenture;

          (n)  to execute all documents or instruments, perform all duties and
powers, and do all things for and on behalf of the Trust in all matters
necessary or incidental to the foregoing;

          (o)  to take all action that may be necessary or appropriate for the
preservation and the continuation of the Trust's valid existence, rights,
franchises and privileges as a statutory business trust under the laws of the
State of Delaware and of each other jurisdiction in which such existence is
necessary to protect the limited liability of the Holders of the Preferred
Securities or to enable the Trust to effect the purposes for which the Trust
was created;

                                      19
<PAGE>
 
          (p)  to take any action, not inconsistent with this Declaration or
with applicable law, that the Regular Trustees determine in their discretion to
be necessary or desirable in carrying out the activities of the Trust asset out
in this Section 3.6, including, but not limited to:

          (i)    causing the Trust not to be deemed to be an Investment Company
     required to be registered under the Investment Company Act;

          (ii)   causing the Trust to be classified for United States federal
     income tax purposes as a grantor trust; and

          (iii)  cooperating with the Subordinated Note Issuer to ensure that
     the Subordinated Notes will be treated as in debtedness of the Subordinated
     Note Issuer for United States federal income tax purposes,

     provided that such action does not adversely affect the interests of 
     -------- ----       
     Holders; and

          (q)  to take all action necessary to cause all applicable tax returns
and tax information reports that are required to be filed with respect to the
Trust to be duly prepared and filed by the Regular Trustees, on behalf of the
Trust.

          The Regular Trustees must exercise the powers set forth in this
Section 3.6 in a manner that is consistent with the purposes and functions of
the Trust set out in Section 3.3, and the Regular Trustees shall not take any
action that is inconsistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set
forth in Section 3.3.

          Subject to this Section 3.6, the Regular Trustees shall have none of
the powers or the authority of the Property Trustee set forth in Section 3.8.

 SECTION 3.7   Prohibition of Actions by the Trust and the Trustees.
               ---------------------------------------------------- 

          (a)  The Trust shall not, and the Trustees (including the Property
Trustee) shall not, engage in any activity other 

                                      20
<PAGE>
 
than as required or authorized by this Declaration.  In particular, the Trust
shall not and the Trustees (including the Property Trustee) shall cause the
Trust not to:

          (i)   invest any proceeds received by the Trust from holding the
     Subordinated Notes or the Preferred Securities Guarantee, but shall
     distribute all such proceeds to Holders of Securities pursuant to the terms
     of this Declaration and of the Securities;

          (ii)  acquire any assets other than as expressly provided herein;

          (iii) possess Trust property for other than a Trust purpose;

          (iv)  make any loans or incur any indebtedness other than loans
     represented by the Subordinated Notes;

          (v)   possess any power or otherwise act in such a way as to vary the
     Trust assets or the terms of the Securities in any way whatsoever;

          (vi)  issue any securities or other evidences of bene ficial ownership
     of, or beneficial interest in, the Trust other than the Securities; or

          (vii) other than as provided in this Declaration, (A) direct the time,
     method and place of exercising any trust or power conferred upon the
     Subordinated Note Trustee with respect to the Subordinated Notes, (B) waive
     any past default that is waivable under Section 6.04 of the Indenture, (C)
     exercise any right to rescind or annul any declaration that the principal
     of all the Subordinated Notes shall be due and payable, or (D) consent to
     any amendment, modifica tion or termination of the Indenture or the
     Subordinated Notes where such consent shall be required unless the Trust
     shall have received an opinion of counsel to the effect that such
     modification will not cause more than an insubstantial risk that for United
     States federal income tax purposes the Trust will not be classified as a
     grantor trust.

                                      21
<PAGE>
 
 SECTION 3.8   Powers and Duties of the Property Trustee.
               ----------------------------------------- 

          (a)  The legal title to the Subordinated Notes shall be owned by and
held of record in the name of the Property Trustee in trust for the benefit of
the Holders of the Securities. The right, title and interest of the Property
Trustee to the Subordinated Notes shall vest automatically in each Person who
may hereafter be appointed as Property Trustee in accordance with Section 5.6.
Such vesting (and cessation as to the resigning Property Trustee) of title
shall be effective whether or not conveyancing documents with regard to the
Subordinated Notes have been executed and delivered.

          (b)  The Property Trustee shall not transfer its right, title and
interest in the Subordinated Notes to the Regular Trustees or to the Delaware
Trustee (if the Property Trustee does not also act as Delaware Trustee).

          (c)  The Property Trustee shall:

          (i)  establish and maintain a segregated non-interest bearing trust
     account (the "Property Trustee Account") in the name of and under the
     exclusive control of the Property Trustee on behalf of the Holders of the
     Securities and, upon the receipt of payments of funds made in respect of
     the Subordinated Notes held by the Property Trustee, deposit such funds
     into the Property Trustee Account and make payments to the Holders of the
     Preferred Securities and Holders of the Common Securities from the Property
     Trustee Account in accordance with Section 6.1. Funds in the Property
     Trustee Account shall be held uninvested until disbursed in accordance
     with this Declaration. The Property Trustee Account shall be an account
     that is maintained with a banking institution the rating on whose long-
     term unsecured indebtedness is at least equal to the rating assigned to the
     Preferred Securities by a "nationally recognized statistical rating
     organization", as that term is defined for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under
     the Securities Act;

          (ii)  engage in such ministerial activities as shall be necessary or
     appropriate to effect the redemption of the

                                      22
<PAGE>
 
     Preferred Securities and the Common Securities to the extent the
     Subordinated Notes are redeemed or mature; and

          (iii)  upon notice of distribution issued by the Regu lar Trustees in
     accordance with the terms of the Securities, engage in such ministerial
     activities as shall be necessary or appropriate to effect the distribution
     of the Subordinated Notes to Holders of Securities upon the occurrence of
     certain special events (as may be defined in the terms of the Securities)
     arising from a change in law or a change in legal interpretation or other
     specified circumstances pursu ant to the terms of the Securities.

          (d)  The Property Trustee shall take all actions and perform such
duties as may be specifically required of the Property Trustee pursuant to the
terms of the Securities.

          (e)  The Property Trustee shall take any Legal Action which arises out
of or in connection with an Event of Default or the Property Trustee's duties
and obligations under this Declaration or the Trust Indenture Act.

          (f)  The Property Trustee shall not resign as a Trustee unless either:

          (i)   the Trust has been completely liquidated and the proceeds of the
     liquidation distributed to the Holders of Securities pursuant to the terms
     of the Securities; or

          (ii)  a successor Property Trustee has been appointed and has accepted
     that appointment in accordance with Section 5.6.

          (g)  The Property Trustee shall have the legal power to exercise all
of the rights, powers and privileges of a holder of Subordinated Notes under the
Indenture and, if an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Property
Trustee shall, for the benefit of Holders of the Securities, enforce its rights
as holder of the Subordinated Notes subject to the rights of the Holders
pursuant to the terms of such Securities.

                                      23
<PAGE>
 
          (h)  The Property Trustee may authorize one or more Persons (each, a
"Paying Agent") to pay Distributions, redemption payments or liquidation
payments on behalf of the Trust with respect to all Securities and any such
Paying Agent shall comply with (S) 317(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any Paying
Agent may be removed by the Property Trustee at any time and a successor Paying
Agent or additional Paying Agents may be appointed at any time by the Property
Trustee.

          (i)  Subject to this Section 3.8, the Property Trust ee shall have
none of the duties, liabilities, powers or the authority of the Regular Trustees
set forth in Section 3.6.

          The Property Trustee must exercise the powers set forth in this
Section 3.8 in a manner that is consistent with the purposes and functions of
the Trust set out in Section 3.3, and the Property Trustee shall not take any
action that is inconsistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set out
in Section 3.3.

 SECTION 3.9   Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the Property Trustee.
               ------------------------------------------------------------ 

          (a)  The Property Trustee, before the occurrence of any Event of
Default and after the curing of all Events of Default that may have occurred,
shall undertake to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in
this Declaration and no implied covenants shall be read into this Declaration
against the Property Trustee. In case an Event of Default has occurred (that has
not been cured or waived pursuant to Section 2.6), the Property Trustee shall
exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Declaration, and use
the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would
exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own
affairs.

          (b)  No provision of this Declaration shall be construed to relieve
the Property Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own
negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

                                      24
<PAGE>
 
          (i)  prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the
     curing or waiving of all such Events of Default that may have occurred:

               (A)  the duties and obligations of the Property Trustee shall be
          determined solely by the express provisions of this Declaration and
          the Property Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of
          such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this
          Declaration, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read
          into this Declaration against the Property Trustee; and

               (B)  in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Property
          Trustee, the Property Trustee may con clusively rely, as to the truth
          of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed
          therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Property
          Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Declaration; but in
          the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provision
          hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Property
          Trustee, the Property Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the
          same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of
          this Declaration;

          (ii)  the Property Trustee shall not be liable for any error of
     judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Property
     Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Property Trustee was negligent
     in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

          (iii) the Property Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any
     action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with
     the direction of the Holders of not less than a Majority in liquidation
     amount of the Securities relating to the time, method and place of con
     ducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Property Trustee, or
     exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Property Trustee under
     this Declaration;

                                      25
<PAGE>
 
          (iv)   no provision of this Declaration shall require the Property
     Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal
     financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the
     exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable
     grounds for believing that the repayment of such funds or liability is not
     reasonably assured to it under the terms of this Declaration or adequate
     indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it;

          (v)    the Property Trustee's sole duty with respect to the custody,
     safe keeping and physical preservation of the Subordinated Notes and the
     Property Trustee Account shall be to deal with such property in a similar
     manner as the Property Trustee deals with similar property for its own 
     account, subject to the protections and limitations on liability afforded
     to the Property Trustee under this Declaration, the Trust Indenture Act
     and Rule 3a-7;

          (vi)   the Property Trustee shall have no duty or liability for or
     with respect to the value, genuineness, existence or sufficiency of the
     Subordinated Notes or the payment of any taxes or assessments levied
     thereon or in connection therewith;

          (vii)  the Property Trustee shall not be liable for any interest on
     any money received by it except as it may otherwise agree in writing with
     the Sponsor. Money held by the Property Trustee need not be segregated from
     other funds held by it except in relation to the Property Trustee Account
     maintained by the Property Trustee pursuant to Section 3.8(c)(i) and except
     to the extent otherwise required by law; and

          (viii) the Property Trustee shall not be responsible for monitoring
     the compliance by the Regular Trustees or the Sponsor with their respective
     duties under this Declaration, nor shall the Property Trustee be liable for
     the default or misconduct of the Regular Trustees or the Sponsor.

                                      26
<PAGE>
 
 SECTION 3.10  Certain Rights of the Property Trustee.
               -------------------------------------- 

          (a)  Subject to the provisions of Section 3.9:

          (i)   the Property Trustee may rely and shall be fully protected in
     acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate,
     statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction,
     consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or
     other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been
     signed, sent or presented by the proper party or parties;

          (ii)  any direction or act of the Sponsor or the Regular Trustees
     contemplated by this Declaration shall be sufficiently evidenced by a
     Direction or an Officers' Certificate;

          (iii) whenever in the administration of this Declaration, the Property
     Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established
     before taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Property
     Trustee (unless other evidence is herein specifically prescribed) may, in
     the absence of bad faith on its part, request and rely upon an Officers'
     Certificate which, upon receipt of such request, shall be promptly
     delivered by the Sponsor or the Regular Trustees;

          (iv)  the Property Trustee shall have no duty to see to any recording,
     filing or registration of any instrument (including any financing or
     continuation statement or any filing under tax or securities laws) or any
     rerecording, refiling or reregistration thereof;

          (v)   the Property Trustee may consult with counsel or other experts
     of its selection and the advice or opinion of such counsel and experts with
     respect to legal matters or advice within the scope of such experts' area
     of expertise shall be full and complete authorization and protection in
     respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it here under in good
     faith and in accordance with such advice or opinion. Such counsel may be
     counsel to the Sponsor or any of its Affiliates, and may include any of the
     Sponsor's or

                                      27
<PAGE>
 
     its Affiliates' employees. The Property Trustee shall have the right at any
     time to seek instructions concerning the administration of this Declaration
     from any court of competent jurisdiction;

          (vi)  the Property Trustee shall be under no obliga tion to exercise
     any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Declaration at the request
     or direction of any Holder, unless such Holder shall have provided to the
     Property Trustee adequate security and indemnity, which would satisfy a
     reasonable person in the position of the Property Trustee, against the
     costs, expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses) and liabilities
     that might be incurred by it in complying with such request or direction,
     including such reasonable advances as may be requested by the Property
     Trustee provided, that, nothing contained in this Section 3.10(a)(vi) shall
     be taken to relieve the Property Trustee, upon the occurrence of an Event
     of Default, of its obligation to exercise the rights and powers vested in
     it by this Declaration;

          (vii) the Property Trustee shall not be bound to make any
     investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution,
     certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, re port, notice, request,
     direction, consent, order, bond, de benture, note, other evidence of
     indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Property Trustee, in its
     discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts
     or matters as it may see fit;

          (viii) the Property Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers
     hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through
     agents or attorneys and the Property Trustee shall not be responsible for
     any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed
     with due care by it hereunder;

          (ix)  any action taken by the Property Trustee or its agents hereunder
     shall bind the Trust and the Holders, and the signature of the Property
     Trustee or its agents alone shall be sufficient and effective to perform
     any such action and no third party shall be required to inquire as to the

                                      28
<PAGE>
 
     authority of the Property Trustee to so act or as to its compliance with
     any of the terms and provisions of this Declaration, both of which shall be
     conclusively evidenced by the Property Trustee's or its agent's taking such
     action;

          (x)   whenever in the administration of this Declaration the Property
     Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive instructions with respect to
     enforcing any remedy or right or taking any other action hereunder, the
     Property Trustee (i) may request instructions from the Holders of the
     Securities which instructions may only be given by the Holders of the same
     proportion in liquidation amount of the Securities as would be entitled to
     direct the Property Trustee under the terms of the Securities in respect of
     such remedy, right or action, (ii) may refrain from enforcing such remedy
     or right or taking such other action until such instructions are received,
     and (iii) shall be protected in acting in accordance with such
     instructions; and

          (xi)  except as otherwise expressly provided by this Declaration, the
     Property Trustee shall not be under any obligation to take any action that
     is discretionary under the provisions of this Declaration.

          (b)  No provision of this Declaration shall be deemed to impose any
duty or obligation on the Property Trustee to perform any act or acts or
exercise any right, power, duty or obligation conferred or imposed on it, in any
jurisdiction in which it shall be illegal, or in which the Property Trustee
shall be unqualified or incompetent in accordance with applicable law, to
perform any such act or acts, or to exercise any such right, power, duty or
obligation. No permissive power or authority available to the Property Trustee
shall be construed to be a duty.

 SECTION 3.11  Delaware Trustee.
               ---------------- 

          Notwithstanding any other provision of this Declaration other than
Section 5.2, the Delaware Trustee shall not be enti tled to exercise any powers,
nor shall the Delaware Trustee have any of the duties and responsibilities, of
the Regular Trustees or the Property Trustee described in this Declaration.
Except as

                                      29
<PAGE>
 
set forth in Section 5.2, the Delaware Trustee shall be a Trustee for the sole
and limited purpose of fulfilling the requirements of (S) 3807 of the Business
Trust Act.

 SECTION 3.12  Execution of Documents.
               ---------------------- 

          Unless otherwise determined by the Regular Trustees, and except as
otherwise required by the Business Trust Act, a majority of or, if there are
only two, any Regular Trustee or, if there is only one, such Regular Trustee is
authorized to execute on behalf of the Trust any documents that the Regular
Trustees have the power and authority to execute pursuant to Section 3.6;
provided that, the registration statement referred to in Section 3.6(b)(i),
- -------- ----                                                              
including any amendments thereto, shall be signed by all of the Regular
Trustees.

SECTION 3.13  Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.
              ------------------------------------------------------ 

          The recitals contained in this Declaration and the Securities shall be
taken as the statements of the Sponsor, and the Trustees do not assume any
responsibility for their correctness. The Trustees make no representations as
to the value or condition of the property of the Trust or any part thereof. The
Trustees make no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this
Declaration or the Securities.

 SECTION 3.14  Duration of Trust.
               ----------------- 

          The Trust, unless terminated pursuant to the provisions of Article
VIII hereof, shall have existence for fifty-five (55) years from the Closing
Date.

 SECTION 3.15  Mergers.
               ------- 

          (a)  The Trust may not consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or
be replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets
substantially as an entirety to any corporation or other body, except as
described in Section 3.15(b) and (c).

                                      30
<PAGE>
 
          (b)  The Trust may, with the consent of the Regular Trustees or, if
there are more than two, a majority of the Regular Trustees and without the
consent of the Holders, the Delaware Trustee or the Property Trustee,
consolidate, amalgam ate, merge with or into, or be replaced by a trust
organized as such under the laws of any State; provided that:
                                               -------- ---- 

          (i)  such successor entity (the "Successor Entity") either:

               (A)  expressly assumes all of the obligations of the Trust under
          the Securities; or

               (B)  substitutes for the Securities other secu rities having
          substantially the same terms as the Pre ferred Securities (the
          "Successor Securities") so long as the Successor Securities rank the
          same as the Pre ferred Securities rank with respect to Distributions
          and payments upon liquidation, redemption and other wise;

          (ii) the Subordinated Note Issuer expressly acknowledges a trustee of
     the Successor Entity that possesses the same powers and duties as the
     Property Trustee as the Holder of the Subordinated Notes;

          (iii) the Preferred Securities or any Successor Securities are listed,
     or any Successor Securities will be listed upon notification of issuance,
     on any national securities exchange or with an other organization on which
     the Preferred Securities are then listed or quoted;

          (iv)  such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement does not
     cause the Preferred Securities (including any Successor Securities) to be
     downgraded by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization;

          (v)  such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement does not
     adversely affect the rights, prefer ences and privileges of the Holders of
     the Securities (including any Successor Securities) in any material respect
     (other than with respect to any dilution of such Holders'

                                      31
<PAGE>
 
     interests in the Preferred Securities as a result of such merger,
     consolidation, amalgamation or replacement);

          (vi)  such Successor Entity has a purpose identical to that of the
     Trust;

          (vii) prior to such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or
     replacement, the Sponsor has received an opinion of a nationally recognized
     independent counsel to the Trust experienced in such matters to the effect
     that:

               (A)  such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement does
          not adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the
          Holders of the Securities (including any Successor Securities) in any
          material respect (other than with respect to any dilution of the
          Holders' interest in the new entity); and

               (B)  following such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or
          replacement, neither the Trust nor the Successor Entity will be
          required to register as an Investment Company; and

          (viii) the Sponsor guarantees the obligations of such Successor Entity
     under the Successor Securities at least to the extent provided by the
     Preferred Securities Guarantee.

          (c)  Notwithstanding Section 3.15(b), the Trust shall not, except with
the consent of Holders of 100% in liquidation amount of the Securities,
consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by any other entity
or permit any other entity to consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or
replace it if such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or replacement would
cause the Trust or Successor Entity to be classified as other than a grantor
trust for United States federal income tax purposes.

                                      32
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE IV
                                    SPONSOR

 SECTION 4.1   Sponsor's Purchase of Common Securities.
               --------------------------------------- 

          On the Closing Date the Sponsor will purchase all of the Common
Securities issued by the Trust, in an amount equal to 3% of the capital of the
Trust, at the same time as the Preferred Securities are sold.

 SECTION 4.2   Responsibilities of the Sponsor.
               ------------------------------- 

          In connection with the issue and sale of the Preferred Securities, the
Sponsor shall have the exclusive right and responsibility to engage in the
following activities:

          (a)  to prepare for filing by the Trust with the Commission a
     registration statement on Form S-3 in relation to the Preferred Securities,
     including any amendments thereto;

          (b)  to determine the States in which to take appropriate action to
     qualify or register for sale all or part of the Preferred Securities and to
     do any and all such acts, other than actions which must be taken by the
     Trust, and advise the Trust of actions it must take, and prepare for
     execution and filing any documents to be executed and filed by the Trust,
     as the Sponsor deems necessary or advisable in order to comply with the
     applicable laws of any such States;

          (c)  to prepare for filing by the Trust an application to the New
     York Stock Exchange or any other national stock exchange or the Nasdaq
     National Market for listing upon notice of issuance of any Preferred
     Securities;

          (d)  to prepare for filing by the Trust with the Commission a
     registration statement on Form 8-A relating to the registration of the
     Preferred Securities under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, including any
     amendments thereto; and

          (e)  to negotiate the terms of the Underwriting Agreement and Pricing
     Agreement providing for the sale of the Preferred Securities.

                                      33
<PAGE>
 
 SECTION 4.3   Expenses.
               -------- 

          (a)  The Sponsor shall be responsible for and shall pay for all debts
     and obligations (other than with respect to the Securities) and all costs
     and expenses of the Trust (including, but not limited to, costs and
     expenses relating to the organization of the Trust, the issuance and sale
     of the Preferred Securities, the fees and expenses (including reasonable
     counsel fees and expenses) of the Trustees, the costs and expenses of
     accountants, attorneys, statistical or bookkeeping services, expenses for
     printing and engraving and computing or accounting equipment, Paying
     Agent(s), registrar(s), transfer agent(s), duplication, travel and
     telephone and other telecommunications expenses and costs and expenses
     incurred in connection with the disposition of Trust assets).

          (b)  The Sponsor will pay any and all taxes (other than United States
     withholding taxes attributable to the Trust or its assets) and all
     liabilities, costs and expenses with respect to such taxes of the Trust.

          (c)  The Sponsor's obligations under this Section 4.3 shall be for the
     benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, the Property Trustee and any
     Person to whom any such debts, obligations, costs, expenses and taxes are
     owed (a "Creditor") whether or not such Creditor has received notice
     hereof. The Property Trustee and any such Creditor may enforce the
     Sponsor's obligations under this Section 4.3 directly against the Sponsor
     and the Sponsor irrevocably waives any right or remedy to require that the
     Property Trustee or any such Creditor take any action against the Trust or
     any other Person before proceeding against the Sponsor. The Sponsor agrees
     to execute such additional agreements as may be necessary or desirable in
     order to give full effect to the provisions of this Section 4.3.

                                      34
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE V
                                   TRUSTEES

 SECTION 5.1   Number of Trustees.
               ------------------ 

          The number of Trustees initially shall be five (5), and:

          (a)  at any time before the issuance of any Securi ties, the Sponsor
     may, by written instrument, increase or decrease the number of Trustees;
     and

          (b)  after the issuance of any Securities, the number of Trustees may
     be increased or decreased by vote of the Holders of a majority in
     liquidation amount of the Common Securities voting as a class at a meeting
     of the Holders of the Common Securities,

provided that, if the Property Trustee does not also act as        Delaware
- -------- ----                                                              
Trustee, the number of Trustees shall be at least three (3).

 SECTION 5.2   Delaware Trustee.
               ---------------- 

          If required by the Business Trust Act, one Trustee (the "Delaware
Trustee") shall be:

          (a)  a natural person who is a resident of the State of Delaware; or

          (b)  if not a natural person, an entity which has its principal place
     of business in the State of Delaware, and otherwise meets the requirements
     of applicable law,

provided that, if the Property Trustee has its principal place of business in
- -------- ----                                                                
the State of Delaware and otherwise meets the requirements of applicable law,
then the Property Trustee shall also be the Delaware Trustee and Section 3.11
shall have no application.  The Delaware Trustee may be an Affiliate of the
Property Trustee.

                                      35
<PAGE>
 
 SECTION 5.3   Property Trustee; Eligibility.
               ----------------------------- 

          (a)  There shall at all times be one Trustee which shall act as
     Property Trustee which shall:

          (i)   not be an Affiliate of the Sponsor;

          (ii)  be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of
     the United States of America or any State or Territory thereof or of the
     District of Columbia, or a corporation or Person permitted by the
     Commission to act as an institutional trustee under the Trust Indenture
     Act, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having
     a combined capital and surplus of at least 50 million U.S. dollars
     ($50,000,000), and subject to supervision or examination by federal,
     State, Territorial or District of Columbia authority. If such corporation
     pub lishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to
     the requirements of the supervising or examining authority referred to
     above, then for the purposes of this Section 5.3(a)(ii), the combined
     capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined
     capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so
     published; and

          (iii) if the Trust is excluded from the definition of an Investment
     Company solely by means of Rule 3a-7 and to the extent Rule 3a-7 requires a
     trustee having certain qualifications to hold title to the "eligible
     assets" of the Trust, the Property Trustee shall possess those qualifica-
     tions.

          (b)  If at any time the Property Trustee shall cease to be eligible to
so act under Section 5.3(a), the Property Trustee shall immediately resign in
the manner and with the effect set forth in Section 5.6(c).

          (c)  If the Property Trustee has or shall acquire any "conflicting
interest" within the meaning of (S) 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the
Property Trustee and the Holder of the Common Securities (as if it were the
obligor referred to in (S)

                                      36
<PAGE>
 
310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act) shall in all respects comply with the
provisions of (S) 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

          (d)  The Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be deemed to be
specifically described in this Declaration for purposes of clause (i) of the
first provision contained in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

 SECTION 5.4   Qualifications of Regular Trustees and Delaware Trustee
               -------------------------------------------------------
               Generally.
               ---------

          Each Regular Trustee and the Delaware Trustee (unless the Property
Trustee also acts as Delaware Trustee) shall be either a natural person who is
at least 21 years of age or a legal entity that shall act through one or more
Authorized Officers.

 SECTION 5.5   Initial Trustees.
               ---------------- 

          The initial Regular Trustees shall be:

                    Bernard W. Schotters

                    Stephen M. Brett
                    [___________________________]

          The initial Delaware Trustee shall be:

                    The Bank of New York (Delaware)

          The initial Property Trustee shall be:

                    The Bank of New York

 SECTION 5.6   Appointment, Removal and Resignation of
               ---------------------------------------
               Trustees.
               -------- 

          (a)  Subject to Section 5.6(b), Trustees may be appointed or removed
without cause at any time:

          (i)  until the issuance of any Securities, by written instrument
     executed by the Sponsor; and

                                      37
<PAGE>
 
          (ii)  after the issuance of any Securities, by vote of the Holders of
     a Majority in liquidation amount of the Com mon Securities voting as a
     class at a meeting of the Holders of the Common Securities or by unanimous
     written consent.

          (b)(i)  The Trustee that acts as Property Trustee shall not be removed
in accordance with Section 5.6(a) until a suc cessor Property Trustee has been
appointed and has accepted such appointment by written instrument executed by
such successor Property Trustee and delivered to the Regular Trustees and the
Sponsor; and

          (ii)  the Trustee that acts as Delaware Trustee shall not be removed
     in accordance with this Section 5.6(a) until a successor Trustee possessing
     the qualifications to act as Delaware Trustee under Sections 5.2 and 5.4 (a
     "Successor Delaware Trustee") has been appointed and has accepted such
     appointment by written instrument executed by such Successor Delaware
     Trustee and delivered to the Regular Trustees and the Sponsor.

          (c)  A Trustee appointed to office shall hold office until his
successor shall have been appointed or until his death, removal or resignation.
Any Trustee may resign from office (without need for prior or subsequent
accounting) by an instrument in writing signed by the Trustee and delivered to
the Sponsor and the Trust, which resignation shall take effect upon such
delivery or upon such later date as is specified therein; provided, however,
                                                          --------  -------
that:

          (i)  No such resignation of the Trustee that acts as the Property
     Trustee shall be effective:

               (A)  until a Successor Property Trustee has been appointed and
          has accepted such appointment by instrument executed by such
          Successor Property Trustee and delivered to the Trust, the Sponsor and
          the resigning Property Trustee; or

               (B)  if the Trust is deemed not to be an Investment Company
          solely by reason of Rule 3a-7, until the assets of the Trust have been
          completely liquidated and

                                      38
<PAGE>
 
          the proceeds thereof distributed to the holders of the Securities; and

          (ii)  no such resignation of the Trustee that acts as the Delaware
     Trustee shall be effective until a Successor Delaware Trustee has been
     appointed and has accepted such appointment by instrument executed by such
     Successor Delaware Trustee and delivered to the Trust, the Sponsor and the
     resigning Delaware Trustee.

          (d)   The Holders of the Common Securities shall use their best
efforts to promptly appoint a Successor Property Trustee or Successor Delaware
Trustee, as the case may be, if the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee
delivers an instrument of resignation in accordance with this Section 5.6.

          (e)   If no Successor Property Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee
shall have been appointed and accepted appointment as provided in this Section
5.6 within 60 days after delivery to the Sponsor and the Trust of an instrument
of resignation, the resigning Property Trustee or Delaware Trustee, as
applicable, may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for appointment of
a Successor Property Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee. Such court may
thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and
prescribe, appoint a Successor Property Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee,
as the case may be.

SECTION 5.7     Vacancies among Trustees.
                ------------------------ 

          If a Trustee ceases to hold office for any reason and the number of
Trustees is not reduced pursuant to Section 5.1, or if the number of Trustees is
increased pursuant to Section 5.1, a vacancy shall occur.  A resolution
certifying the existence of such vacancy by the Regular Trustees or, if there
are more than two, a majority of the Regular Trustees shall be conclusive
evidence of the existence of such vacancy. The vacancy shall be filled with a
Trustee appointed in accordance with Section 5.6.

SECTION 5.8     Effect of Vacancies.
                ------------------- 

                                       39
<PAGE>
 
          The death, resignation, retirement, removal, bankruptcy, dissolution,
liquidation, incompetence or incapacity to perform the duties of a Trustee shall
not operate to annul the Trust.  Whenever a vacancy in the number of Regular
Trustees shall occur, until such vacancy is filled by the appointment of a
Regular Trustee in accordance with Section 5.6, the Regular Trustees in office,
regardless of their number, shall have all the powers granted to the Regular
Trustees and shall discharge all the duties imposed upon the Regular Trustees by
this Declaration.

SECTION 5.9    Meetings.
               -------- 

          If there is more than one Regular Trustee, meetings of the Regular
Trustees shall be held from time to time upon the call of any Regular Trustee.
Regular meetings of the Regular Trustees may be held at a time and place fixed
by resolution of the Regular Trustees.  Notice of any in-person meetings of the
Regular Trustees shall be hand delivered or otherwise delivered in writing
(including by facsimile, with a hard copy by overnight courier) not less than 48
hours before such meeting.  Notice of any telephonic meetings of the Regular
Trustees or any committee thereof shall be hand delivered or otherwise delivered
in writing (including by facsimile, with a hard copy by overnight courier) not
less than 24 hours before such meeting.  Notices shall contain a brief
statement of the time, place and anticipated purposes of the meeting.  The
presence (whether in person or by telephone) of a Regular Trustee at a meeting
shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting except where a Regular
Trustee attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the
transaction of any activity on the ground that the meeting has not been lawfully
called or convened.  Unless provided otherwise in this Declaration, any action
of the Regular Trustees may be taken at a meeting by vote of a majority of the
Regular Trustees present (whether in person or by telephone) and eligible to
vote with respect to such matter, provided that a Quorum is present, or without
a meeting by the unanimous written consent of the Regular Trustees.  In the
event there is only one Regular Trustee, any and all action of such Regular
Trustee shall be evidenced by a written consent of such Regular Trustee.

                                       40
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 5.10   Delegation of Power.
               ------------------- 

          (a)  Any Regular Trustee may, by power of attorney consistent with
applicable law, delegate to any other natural person over the age of 21 his or
her power for the purpose of executing any documents contemplated in Section
3.6, including any registration statement or amendment thereto filed with the
Commission, or making any other governmental filing; and

          (b)  the Regular Trustees shall have power to delegate from time to
time to such of their number or to officers of the Trust the doing of such
things and the execution of such instruments either in the name of the Trust or
the names of the Regular Trustees or otherwise as the Regular Trustees may deem
expedient, to the extent such delegation is not prohibited by applicable law or
contrary to the provisions of the Trust, as set forth herein.


                                  ARTICLE VI
                                 DISTRIBUTIONS

SECTION 6.1    Distributions.
               ------------- 

          Holders shall receive Distributions (as defined herein) in accordance
with the applicable terms of the relevant Holder's Securities. Distributions
shall be made on the Preferred Securities and the Common Securities in
accordance with the preferences set forth in their respective terms. If and to
the extent that the Subordinated Note Issuer makes a payment of interest
(including Additional Interest (as defined in the Indenture)), premium and/or
principal on the Subordinated Notes held by the Property Trustee (the amount of
any such payment being a "Payment Amount"), the Property Trustee shall and is
directed, to the extent funds are available for that purpose, to make a
distribution (a "Distribution") of the Payment Amount to Holders.

                                       41
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE VII
                             ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES

SECTION 7.1    General Provisions Regarding Securities.
               --------------------------------------- 

      (a)  The Regular Trustees shall on behalf of the Trust issue one class
of preferred securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the
assets of the Trust having such terms as are set forth in Annex I (the
"Preferred Securities") and one class of common securities representing
undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust having such terms as
are set forth in Annex I (the "Common Securities.") The Trust shall not issue
any securities or other interests in respect of the assets of the Trust other
than the Preferred Securities and the Common Securities.

      (b) The Certificates shall be signed on behalf of the Trust by a Regular
Trustee.  Such signature shall be the manual or facsimile signature of any
present or any future Regular Trustee.  In case any Regular Trustee of the Trust
who shall have signed any of the Certificates shall cease to be such Regular
Trustee before the Certificates so signed shall be delivered by the Trust, such
Certificates nevertheless may be delivered as though the person who signed
such Certificates had not ceased to be such Regular Trustee; and any Certificate
may be signed on behalf of the Trust by such persons who, at the actual date of
execution of such Certificate, shall be the Regular Trustees of the Trust,
although at the date of the execution and delivery of the Declaration any such
person was not such a Regular Trustee.  Certificates shall be printed,
lithographed or engraved or may be produced in any other manner as is reasonably
acceptable to the Regular Trustees, as evidenced by their execution thereof,
and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or
designation and such legends or endorsements as the Regular Trustees may deem
appropriate, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or
regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock
exchange on which Securities may be listed, or to conform to usage.

      (c) The consideration received by the Trust for the issuance of the
Securities shall constitute a contribution to the

                                       42
<PAGE>
 
capital of the Trust and shall not constitute a loan to the Trust.

      (d) Upon issuance of the Securities as provided in this Declaration, the
Securities so issued shall be deemed to be validly issued, fully paid and non-
assessable.

      (e) Every Person, by virtue of having become a Holder or a Preferred
Security Beneficial Owner in accordance with the terms of this Declaration,
shall be deemed to have expressly assented and agreed to the terms of, and
shall be bound by, this Declaration.


                                 ARTICLE VIII
                              TERMINATION OF TRUST

 SECTION 8.1   Termination of Trust.
               -------------------- 

          (a)    The Trust shall terminate:

          (i)    upon the bankruptcy of the Holder of the Common Securities or
     the Sponsor;

          (ii)   upon the filing of a certificate of dissolution or its
equivalent with respect to the Holder of the Common Securities or the Sponsor;
the filing of a certificate of cancellation with respect to the Trust or the
revocation of the Holder of the Common Securities or the Sponsor's charter and
the expiration of 90 days after the date of revocation without a reinstatement
thereof;

          (iii)  upon the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the
     Holder of the Common Securities, the Sponsor or the Trust;

          (iv)   when all of the Securities shall have been called for
     redemption and the amounts necessary for redemption thereof shall have been
     paid to the Holders in accordance with the terms of the Securities;

                                       43
<PAGE>
 
          (v)    upon the occurrence and continuation of a Special Event
     pursuant to which the Trust shall have been dis solved in accordance with
     the terms of the Securities and all of the Subordinated Notes in accordance
     with the terms thereof shall have been distributed to the Holders of
     Securities in exchange for all of the Securities; or

          (vi)   before the issuance of any Securities, with the consent of all
     of the Regular Trustees and the Sponsor.

          (b)    As soon as is practicable after the occurrence of an event
referred to in Section 8.1(a), the Trustees shall file a certificate of
cancellation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

          (c)    The provisions of Section 3.9 and Article X shall survive the
termination of the Trust.


                                  ARTICLE IX
                             TRANSFER OF INTERESTS

 SECTION 9.1   Transfer of Securities.
               ---------------------- 

          (a)  Securities may only be transferred, in whole or in part, in
accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Declaration and in
the Securities. Any transfer or purported transfer of any Security not made in
accordance with this Declaration and these Securities shall be null and void.

          (b)  Subject to this Article IX, Preferred Securities shall be freely
transferable.

          (c)  Subject to this Article IX, (x) the Sponsor may only transfer
Common Securities to a Related Party and (y) a Related Party may only transfer
Common Securities to the Sponsor or another Related Party; provided that, any
                                                           -------- ----
such transfer is subject to the condition precedent that the transferor obtain
the written opinion of nationally recognized independent counsel experienced in
such matters that such transfer would not cause more than an insubstantial risk
that:

                                       44
<PAGE>
 
          (i)    the Trust would no longer be classified for United States
     federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust; or

          (ii)   the Trust would become an Investment Company or the transferee
would become an Investment Company.

SECTION 9.2    Transfer of Certificates.
               ------------------------ 

          The Regular Trustees shall provide for the registration of
Certificates and of transfers of Certificates, which will be effected without
charge but only upon payment (with such indemnity as the Regular Trustees may
require) in respect of any tax or other government charges that may be imposed
in relation to it. Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any
Certificate, the Regular Trustees shall cause one or more new Certificates to
be issued in the name of the designated transferee or transferees. Every
Certificate surrendered for registration of transfer shall be accompanied by a
written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Regular Trustees duly
executed by the Holder or such Holder's attorney duly authorized in writing.
Each Certificate surrendered for registration of transfer shall be canceled by
the Regular Trustees. A transferee of a Certificate shall be entitled to the
rights and subject to the obligations of a Holder hereunder upon the receipt by
such transferee of a Certificate. By acceptance of a Certificate, each
transferee shall be deemed to have agreed to be bound by this Declaration and
the terms of the Securities represented by such Certificate.

SECTION 9.3    Deemed Security Holders.
               ----------------------- 

          The Trustees may treat the Person in whose name any Certificate shall
be registered on the books and records of the Trust as the sole holder of such
Certificate and of the Securities represented by such Certificate for purposes
of receiving Distributions and for all other purposes whatsoever and,
accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or
interest in such Certificate or in the Securities represented by such
Certificate on the part of any Person, whether or not the Trust shall have
actual or other notice thereof.

                                       45
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 9.4    Book Entry Interests.
               -------------------- 

      Unless otherwise specified in the terms of the Preferred Securities,
the Preferred Securities Certificates, on original issuance, will be issued in
the form of one or more, fully registered, global Preferred Security
Certificates (each a "Global Certificate"), to be delivered to DTC, the initial
Clearing Agency, by, or on behalf of, the Trust. Such Global Certificates
shall initially be registered on the books and records of the Trust in the name
of Cede & Co., the nominee of DTC, and no Preferred Security Beneficial Owner
will receive a definitive Preferred Security Certificate representing such
Preferred Security Beneficial Owner's interests in such Global Certificates,
except as provided in Section 9.7. Unless and until definitive, fully registered
Preferred Security Certificates (the "Definitive Preferred Security
Certificates") have been issued to the Preferred Security Beneficial Owners
pursuant to Section 9.7:

      (a) the provisions of this Section 9.4 shall be in full force and effect;

      (b) the Trust and the Trustees shall be entitled to deal with the Clearing
Agency for all purposes of this Declaration (including the payment of
Distributions on the Global Certificates and receiving approvals, votes or
consents hereunder) as the Holder of the Preferred Securities and the sole
holder of the Global Certificates and shall have no obligation to the Preferred
Security Beneficial Owners;

      (c) to the extent that the provisions of this Section 9.4 conflict with
any other provisions of this Declaration, the provisions of this Section 9.4
shall control; and

      (d) the rights of the Preferred Security Beneficial Owners shall be
exercised only through the Clearing Agency and shall be limited to those
established by law and agreements between such Preferred Security Beneficial
Owners and the Clearing Agency and/or the Clearing Agency Participants.  The
Clearing Agency will make book entry transfers among the Clearing Agency
Participants and receive and transmit payments of Distributions on the Global
Certificates to such Clearing Agency Participants.

                                       46
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 9.5    Notices to Clearing Agency.
               -------------------------- 

      Whenever a notice or other communication to the Preferred Security
Holders is required under this Declaration, unless and until Definitive
Preferred Security Certificates shall have been issued to the Preferred Security
Beneficial Owners pursuant to Section 9.7, the Regular Trustees shall give all
such notices and communications specified herein to be given to the Preferred
Security Holders to the Clearing Agency, and shall have no notice obligations to
the Preferred Security Beneficial Owners.

SECTION 9.6    Appointment of Successor Clearing Agency.
               ---------------------------------------- 

      If any Clearing Agency elects to discontinue its services as securities
depositary with respect to the Preferred Securities, the Regular Trustees may,
in their sole discretion, appoint a successor Clearing Agency with respect to
the Preferred Securities.

SECTION 9.7    Definitive Preferred Security Certificates.
               ------------------------------------------ 

      If:

      (a) a Clearing Agency elects to discontinue its services as securities
depositary with respect to the Preferred Securities and a successor Clearing
Agency is not appointed within 90 days after such election pursuant to Section
9.6; or

      (b) the Regular Trustees elect after consultation with the Sponsor to
terminate the book entry system through the Clearing Agency with respect to the
Preferred Securities,

then:

      (c) Definitive Preferred Security Certificates shall be prepared by the
Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust with respect to the Preferred
Securities; and

      (d) upon surrender of the Global Certificates by the Clearing Agency,
accompanied by registration instructions, the Regular Trustees shall cause
Definitive Preferred Security

                                       47
<PAGE>
 
Certificates to be delivered to Preferred Security Beneficial Owners in
accordance with the instructions of the Clearing Agency.  Neither the Trustees
nor the Trust shall be liable for any delay in delivery of such instructions and
each of them may conclusively rely on and shall be protected in relying on, said
instructions of the Clearing Agency.  The Definitive Preferred Security
Certificates shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or may be produced in
any other manner as is reasonably acceptable to the Regular Trustees, as
evidenced by their execution thereof, and may have such letters, numbers or
other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements as
the Regular Trustees may deem appropriate, or as may be required to comply with
any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or
regulation of any stock exchange on which the Preferred Securities may be
listed, or to conform to usage.

SECTION 9.8    Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates.
               -------------------------------------------------- 

      If:

      (a) any mutilated Certificate should be surrendered to the Regular
Trustees, or if the Regular Trustees shall receive evidence to their
satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Certificate; and

      (b) there shall be delivered to the Regular Trustees such security or
indemnity as may be required by them to keep each of them harmless,

then, in the absence of notice that such Certificate shall have been acquired by
a bona fide purchaser, any Regular Trustee on behalf of the Trust shall execute
and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost
or stolen Certificate, a new Certificate of like denomination.  In connection
with the issuance of any new Certificate under this Section 9.8, the Regular
Trustees may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other
governmental charge that may be imposed in connection therewith.  Any duplicate
Certificate issued pursuant to this Section shall constitute conclusive evidence
of an ownership interest in the relevant Securities, as if originally

                                       48
<PAGE>
 
issued, whether or not the lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate shall be found
at any time.


                                   ARTICLE X
                           LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF
                   HOLDERS OF SECURITIES, TRUSTEES OR OTHERS

SECTION 10.1   Liability.
               --------- 

      (a)   Except as expressly set forth in this Declara tion, the Securities
Guarantees and the terms of the Securities, the Sponsor shall not be:

            (i)   personally liable for the return of any portion of the capital
     contributions (or any return thereon) of the Holders, which shall be made
     solely from assets of the Trust; or

            (ii)  required to pay to the Trust or to any Holder any deficit upon
     dissolution of the Trust or otherwise.

      (b)   The Holder of the Common Securities shall be liable for all of the
debts and obligations of the Trust (other than with respect to the Securities)
to the extent not satisfied out of the Trust's assets.

      (c)   Pursuant to (S) 3803(a) of the Business Trust Act, the Holders of
the Preferred Securities shall be entitled to the same limitation of personal
liability extended to stockholders of private corporations for profit organized
under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

SECTION 10.2   Exculpation.
               ----------- 

      (a) No Indemnified Person shall be liable, responsible or accountable in
damages or otherwise to the Trust or any Covered Person for any loss, damage or
claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such
Indemnified Person in good faith on behalf of the Trust and in a manner such
Indemnified Person reasonably believed to be within the scope of the authority
conferred on such Indemnified Person by this

                                       49
<PAGE>
 
Declaration or by law, except that an Indemnified Person shall be liable for any
such loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of such Indemnified Person's gross
negligence (or, in the case of the Property Trustee, negligence) or willful
misconduct with respect to such acts or omissions.

      (b) An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in relying in good
faith upon the records of the Trust and upon such information, opinions, reports
or statements presented to the Trust by any Person as to matters the Indemnified
Person reasonably believes are within such other Person's professional or expert
competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the
Trust, including information, opinions, reports or statements as to the value
and amount of the assets, liabilities, profits, losses, or any other facts
pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from which Distributions to
Holders of Securities might properly be paid.

SECTION 10.3   Fiduciary Duty.
               -------------- 

      (a) To the extent that, at law or in equity, an Indemnified Person has
duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the
Trust or to any other Covered Person, an Indemnified Person acting under this
Declaration shall not be liable to the Trust or to any other Covered Person for
its good faith reliance on the provisions of this Declaration.  The provisions
of this Declaration, to the extent that they restrict the duties and liabilities
of an Indemnified Person otherwise existing at law or in equity (other than the
duties imposed on the Property Trustee under the Trust Indenture Act), are
agreed by the parties hereto to replace such other duties and liabilities of
such Indemnified Person.

      (b) Unless otherwise expressly provided herein:

          (i)  whenever a conflict of interest exists or arises between any
     Covered Persons; or

          (ii) whenever this Declaration or any other agreement contemplated
herein or therein provides that an Indemnified Person shall act in a manner that
is, or provide terms that are, fair and reasonable to the Trust or any Holder,

                                       50
<PAGE>
 
the Indemnified Person shall resolve such conflict of interest, take such action
or provide such terms, considering in each case the relative interest of each
party (including its own interest) to such conflict, agreement, transaction or
situation and the benefits and burdens relating to such interests, any customary
or accepted industry practices, and any applicable generally accepted
accounting practices or principles.  In the absence of bad faith by the
Indemnified Person, the resolution, action or term so made, taken or provided by
the Indemnified Person shall not constitute a breach of this Declaration or any
other agreement contemplated herein or of any duty or obligation of the
Indemnified Person at law or in equity or otherwise.

      (c) Whenever in this Declaration an Indemnified Person is permitted or
required to make a decision:

          (i)  in its "discretion" or under a grant of similar authority, the
     Indemnified Person shall be entitled to consider such interests and factors
     as it desires, including its own interests, and shall have no duty or
     obligation to give any consideration to any interest of or factors
     affecting the Trust or any other Person; or

          (ii) in its "good faith" or under another express standard, the
Indemnified Person shall act under such express standard and shall not be
subject to any other or different standard imposed by this Declaration or by
applicable law.

SECTION 10.4   Indemnification.
               --------------- 

      (a) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Sponsor shall
indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnified Person from and against any loss,
damage, liability, tax, penalty, expense or claim of any kind or nature
whatsoever incurred by such Indemnified Person by reason of the creation,
operation or termination of the Trust or any act or omission performed or
omitted by such Indemnified Person in good faith on behalf of the Trust and in a
manner such Indemnified Person reasonably believed to be within the scope of
authority conferred on such Indemnified Person by this Declaration, except that
no Indemnified Person shall be entitled to be indemnified in respect

                                       51
<PAGE>
 
of any loss, damage or claim incurred by such Indemnified Person by reason of
gross negligence (or, in the case of the Property Trustee, negligence) or
willful misconduct with respect to such acts or omissions.

      (b) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, expenses (including
legal fees and expenses) incurred by an Indemnified Person in defending any
claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding (whether such claim, demand, action,
suit or proceeding arises between the parties hereto or results from suits
involving third parties) shall, from time to time, be advanced by the Sponsor
prior to the final disposition of such claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding
upon receipt by the Sponsor of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnified
Person to repay such amount if it shall be determined that the Indemnified
Person is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized in Section 10.4(a).  The
indemnification shall survive the termination of this Declaration.

SECTION 10.5   Outside Businesses.
               ------------------ 

      Any Covered Person, the Sponsor, the Delaware Trustee and the Property
Trustee may engage in or possess an interest in other business ventures of any
nature or description, independently or with others, similar or dissimilar to
the business of the Trust, and the Trust and the Holders shall have no rights by
virtue of this Declaration in and to such independent ventures or the income or
profits derived therefrom, and the pursuit of any such venture, even if
competitive with the business of the Trust, shall not be deemed wrongful or
improper.  No Covered Person, the Sponsor, the Delaware Trustee, or the Property
Trustee shall be obligated to present any particular investment or other
opportunity to the Trust even if such opportunity is of a character that, if
presented to the Trust, could be taken by the Trust, and any Covered Person, the
Sponsor, the Delaware Trustee and the Property Trustee shall have the right to
take for its own account (individually or as a partner or fiduciary) or to
recommend to others any such particular investment or other opportunity. Any
Covered Person, the Delaware Trustee and the Property Trustee may engage or be
interested in any financial or other transaction with the Sponsor or any
Affiliate of the Sponsor, or may act as depositary for, trustee or agent for, or
act on any committee or

                                       52
<PAGE>
 
body of holders of, securities or other obligations of the Spon  sor or its
Affiliates.


                                  ARTICLE XI
                                  ACCOUNTING

SECTION 11.1   Fiscal Year.
               ----------- 

      The fiscal year ("Fiscal Year") of the Trust shall be the calendar year,
or such other year as is required by the Code.

SECTION 11.2   Certain Accounting Matters.
               -------------------------- 

      (a) At all times during the existence of the Trust, the Regular Trustees
shall keep, or cause to be kept, full books of account, records and supporting
documents which shall reflect, in reasonable detail, each transaction of the
Trust.  The books of account shall be maintained on the accrual method of
accounting, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,
consistently applied.  The Trust shall use the accrual method of accounting for
United States federal income tax purposes.  The books of account and the records
of the Trust shall be examined by and reported upon as of the end of each Fiscal
Year of the Trust by a firm of independent certified public accountants selected
by the Regular Trustees.

      (b) The Regular Trustees shall cause to be prepared and delivered to each
of the Holders, within 90 days after the end of each Fiscal Year of the Trust,
annual financial statements of the Trust, including a balance sheet of the Trust
as of the end of such Fiscal Year, and the related statements of income or loss.

      (c) The Regular Trustees shall cause to be duly prepared and delivered to
each Holder, any annual United States federal income tax information
statement, required by the Code, containing such information with regard to
the Securities held by such Holder as is required by the Code and the Treasury
Regulations.  Notwithstanding any right under the Code to deliver any such
statement at a later date, the Regular Trustees shall

                                       53
<PAGE>
 
endeavor to deliver all such statements within 30 days after the end of each
Fiscal Year of the Trust.

      (d) The Regular Trustees shall cause to be duly prepared and filed with
the appropriate taxing authority an annual United States federal income tax
return, on a Form 1041 or such other form required by United States federal
income tax law, and any other annual income tax returns required to be filed by
the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust with any state or local taxing
authority.

SECTION 11.3   Banking.
               ------- 

      The Trust shall maintain one or more bank accounts in the name and for the
sole benefit of the Trust; provided, howev er, that all payments of funds in
                           --------  --------                               
respect of the Subordinated Notes held by the Property Trustee shall be made
directly to the Property Trustee Account and no other funds of the Trust shall
be deposited in the Property Trustee Account.  The sole signatories for such
accounts shall be designated by the Regular Trustees; provided, however, that
                                                      --------  -------      
the Property Trustee shall designate the signatories for the Property Trustee
Account.

SECTION 11.4   Withholding.
               ----------- 

      The Trust and the Regular Trustees shall comply with all withholding
requirements under United States federal, state and local law.  The Trust shall
request, and the Holders shall provide to the Trust, such forms or certificates
as are necessary to establish an exemption from withholding with respect to each
Holder, and any representations and forms as shall reasonably be requested by
the Trust to assist it in determining the extent of, and in fulfilling, its
withholding obligations.  The Regular Trustee shall file required forms with
applicable jurisdictions and, unless an exemption from withholding is properly
established by a Holder, shall remit amounts withheld with respect to such
Holder to applicable jurisdictions.  To the extent that the Trust is required to
withhold and pay over any amounts to any authority with respect to distributions
or allocations to any Holder, the amount withheld shall be deemed to be a
distribution in the amount of the withholding to such Holder.  In the event of
any claimed over-withholding, Holders shall be limited to an action

                                       54
<PAGE>
 
against the applicable jurisdiction.  If the amount required to be withheld was
not withheld from actual Distributions made, the Trust may reduce subsequent
Distributions by the amount of such withholding.


                                  ARTICLE XII
                            AMENDMENTS AND MEETINGS

SECTION 12.1   Amendments.
               ---------- 

      (a) Except as otherwise provided in this Declaration or by any applicable
terms of the Securities, this Declaration may only be amended by a written
instrument approved and executed by:

          (i)    the Regular Trustees (or, if there are more than two Regular
     Trustees, a majority of the Regular Trustees);

          (ii)   if the amendment affects the rights, powers, duties,
     obligations or immunities of the Property Trustee, the Property Trustee;
     and

          (iii)  if the amendment affects the rights, powers, duties,
     obligations or immunities of the Delaware Trustee, the Delaware Trustee.

      (b) No amendment shall be made, and any purported amendment shall be void
and ineffective:

          (i)    unless, in the case of any proposed amendment, the Property
Trustee shall have first received an Officers' Certificate from each of the
Trust and the Sponsor that such amendment is permitted by, and conforms to, the
terms of this Declaration (including the terms of the Securities);

          (ii)   unless, in the case of any proposed amendment which affects the
rights, powers, duties, obligations or immunities of the Property Trustee, the
Property Trustee shall have first received:

                                       55
<PAGE>
 
          (A) an Officers' Certificate from each of the Trust and the Sponsor
     that such amendment is permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of this
     Declaration (including the terms of the Securities); and

          (B) an opinion of counsel (who may be counsel to the Sponsor or the
     Trust) that such amendment is permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of
     this Declaration (including the terms of the Securities); and

     (iii)  to the extent the result of such amendment would be to:

          (A) cause the trust to fail to continue to be classified for purposes
     of United States federal income taxation as a grantor trust;

          (B) reduce or otherwise adversely affect the powers of the Property
     Trustee in contravention of the Trust Indenture Act; or

          (C) cause the Trust to be deemed to be an Investment Company required
     to be registered under the Investment Company Act.

      (c) If the Trust has any Securities outstanding, any amendment that would
adversely affect the rights, privileges or preferences of any Holder of such
Securities may be effected only with such additional requirements as may be set
forth in the terms of such Securities.

      (d) Section 9.1(c) and this Section 12.1 shall not be amended without the
consent of all of the Holders of the Securities.

      (e) Article IV shall not be amended without the consent of the Holders of
a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities.

      (f) The rights of the holders of the Common Securities under Article V to
increase or decrease the number of, and appoint and remove, Trustees shall not
be amended without the

                                       56
<PAGE>
 
consent of the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common
Securities.

     (g) Notwithstanding Section 12.1(c), this Declaration may be amended
without the consent of the Holders of the Securities to:

     (i)   cure any ambiguity;

     (ii)  correct or supplement any provision in this Declaration that may be
  defective or inconsistent with any other provision of this Declaration;

     (iii) add to the covenants, restrictions or obligations of the Sponsor;

     (iv)  in the event the Trust is deemed not to be an Investment Company
  solely by reason of Rule 3a-7, conform to any change in Rule 3a-7 or written
  change in interpretation or application of Rule 3a-7 by any legislative body,
  court, government agency or regulatory authority which amendment does not have
  a material adverse effect on the rights, preferences or privileges of the
  Holders; and

     (v)   cause the trust to continue to be classified for purposes of United
  States federal income taxation as a grantor trust; provided, such amendment
                                                     --------   
  does not have a material adverse effect on the rights, preferences or
  privileges of the Holders.

SECTION 12.2   Meetings of the Holders; Action by Written Consent.
               --------------------------------------------------- 

     (a)  Meetings of the Holders of any class of Securities may be called at
any time by the Regular Trustees (or as provided in the terms of the Securities)
to consider and act on any matter on which Holders of such class of Securities
are entitled to act under the terms of this Declaration, the terms of the
Securities or the rules of any stock exchange on which the Preferred Securities
are listed or admitted for trading. The Regular Trustees shall call a meeting of
the Holders of such class if directed to do so by the Holders of at least 10% in
liquidation

                                      57
<PAGE>
 
amount of such class of Securities. Such direction shall be given by delivering
to the Regular Trustees one or more calls in a writing stating that the signing
Holders wish to call a meeting and indicating the general or specific purpose
for which the meeting is to be called. Any Holders calling a meeting shall
specify in writing the Security Certificates held by the Holders exercising the
right to call a meeting and only those Securities specified shall be counted for
purposes of determining whether the required percentage set forth in the second
sentence of this paragraph has been met.

     (b)  Except to the extent otherwise provided in the terms of the
Securities, the following provisions shall apply to meetings of Holders of any
class of Securities:

     (i)   notice of any such meeting shall be given to all the Holders of
  Securities having a right to vote thereat at least 7 days and not more than 60
  days before the date of such meeting. Whenever a vote, consent or approval of
  Holders is permitted or required under this Declaration or the rules of any
  stock exchange on which the Preferred Securities are listed or admitted for
  trading, such vote, consent or approval may be given at a meeting of such
  Holders. Any action that may be taken at a meeting of Holders may be taken
  without a meeting if a consent in writing setting forth the action so taken is
  signed by Holders owning not less than the minimum amount of Securities in
  liquidation amount that would be necessary to authorize or take such action
  at a meeting at which all Holders of Securities having a right to vote thereon
  were present and voting. Prompt notice of the taking of action without a
  meeting shall be given to the Holders of Securities entitled to vote who have
  not consented in writing. The Regular Trustees may specify that any written
  consent submitted to Holders for the purpose of taking any action without a
  meeting shall be returned to the Trust within the time specified by the
  Regular Trustees;

     (ii)  each Holder may authorize any Person to act for it by proxy on all
  matters in which such Holder is entitled to participate, including waiving
  notice of any meeting, or voting or participating at a meeting. No proxy shall
  be

                                      58
<PAGE>
 
  valid after the expiration of 11 months from the date there of unless
  otherwise provided in the proxy. Every proxy shall be revocable at the
  pleasure of the Holder executing it. Except as otherwise provided herein, all
  matters relating to the giving, voting or validity of proxies shall be
  governed by the General Corporation Law of the State of Del aware relating to
  proxies, and judicial interpretations thereunder, as if the Trust were a
  Delaware corporation and the Holders were stockholders of a Delaware
  corporation;

     (iii) each meeting of Holders shall be conducted by the Regular Trustees or
  by such other Person that the Regular Trustees may designate; and

     (iv)  unless the Business Trust Act, this Declaration, the terms of the
  Securities, the Trust Indenture Act or the listing rules of any stock exchange
  on which the Preferred Securities are then listed or trading otherwise
  provides, the Regular Trustees, in their sole discretion, shall establish all
  other provisions relating to meetings of Holders, including notice of the
  time, place or purpose of any meeting at which any matter is to be voted on by
  any Holders, waiver of any such notice, action by consent without a meeting,
  the establishment of a record date, quorum requirements, voting in person or
  by proxy or any other matter with respect to the exercise of any such right to
  vote.


                                 ARTICLE XIII
                      REPRESENTATIONS OF PROPERTY TRUSTEE
                              AND DELAWARE TRUSTEE

SECTION 13.1   Representations and Warranties of Property Trustee.
               -------------------------------------------------- 

     The Trustee that acts as initial Property Trustee represents and warrants
to the Trust and to the Sponsor at the date of this Declaration, and each
successor Property Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and the Sponsor
at the time of the successor Property Trustee's acceptance of its appointment as
Property Trustee, that:

                                      59
<PAGE>
 
     (a)  the Property Trustee is a banking corporation or association with
trust powers, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of a state of the United States or of the United States, with trust power
and authority to execute and deliver, and to carry out and perform its
obligations under the terms of, the Declaration;

     (b)  the execution, delivery and performance by the Property Trustee of the
Declaration has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the
part of the Property Trustee. The Declaration has been duly executed and
delivered by the Property Trustee, and it constitutes a legal, valid and binding
obligation of the Property Trustee, enforceable against it in accordance with
its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, moratorium,
insolvency, and other similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and to
general principles of equity and the discretion of the court (regardless of
whether the enforcement of such remedies is considered in a proceeding in equity
or at law);

     (c)  the execution, delivery and performance of the Declaration by the
Property Trustee does not conflict with or constitute a breach of the charter or
by-laws of the Property Trustee; and

     (d)  no consent, approval or authorization of, or registration with or
notice to, any State or federal banking authority is required for the execution,
delivery or performance by the Property Trustee of the Declaration.

SECTION 13.2   Representations and Warranties of Delaware Trustee.
               -------------------------------------------------- 

     The Trustee that acts as initial Delaware Trustee represents and warrants
to the Trust and to the Sponsor at the date of this Declaration, and each
Successor Delaware Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and the Sponsor
at the time of the Successor Delaware Trustee's acceptance of its appointment as
Delaware Trustee, that:

     (a)  the Delaware Trustee is a Delaware banking corporation with trust
powers, duly organized, validly existing and

                                      60
<PAGE>
 
in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with trust power and
authority to execute and deliver, and to carry out and perform its obligations
under the terms of, the Declaration;

     (b)  the Delaware Trustee has been authorized to per form its obligations
under the Certificate of Trust and the Declaration. The Declaration under
Delaware law constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Delaware
Trustee, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to
applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, moratorium, insolvency, and other similar
laws affecting creditors' rights generally and to general principles of equity
and the discretion of the court (regardless of whether the enforcement of such
remedies is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law);

     (c)  no consent, approval or authorization of, or registration with or
notice to, any State or Federal banking authority is required for the execution,
delivery or performance by the Delaware Trustee of the Declaration; and

     (d)  the Delaware Trustee is a natural person who is a resident of the
State of Delaware or, if not a natural person, an entity which has its principal
place of business in the State of Delaware.


                                  ARTICLE XIV
                                 MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 14.1   Notices.
               ------- 

     All notices provided for in this Declaration shall be in writing, duly
signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be delivered, telecopied or
mailed by registered or certified mail, as follows:

     (a)  if given to the Trust, in care of the Regular Trustees at the Trust's
mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Trust may give
notice of to the Holders):

                                      61
<PAGE>
 
          TCI Communications Financing V
          c/o TCI Communications, Inc.
          Terrace Tower II
          5619 DTC Parkway
          Englewood, Colorado 80111-3000
          Attention:

     (b)  if given to the Delaware Trustee, at the mailing address set forth
below (or such other address as the Delaware Trustee may give notice of to the
Holders):

          The Bank of New York (Delaware)
          400 White Clay Center, Route 273
          Newark, Delaware 19711
          Attention:

     (c)  if given to the Property Trustee, at the mailing address set forth
below (or such other address as the Property Trustee may give notice of to the
Holders):

          The Bank of New York
          101 Barclay Street, Floor 21 West
          New York, New York  10286
          Attention:     Corporate Trust Trustee Administration

     (d)  if given to the Holder of the Common Securities, at the mailing
address of the Sponsor set forth below (or such other address as the Holder of
the Common Securities may give notice of to the Trust):

          TCI Communications, Inc.
          Terrace Tower II
          5619 DTC Parkway
          Englewood, Colorado 80111
          Attention:  Chief Financial Officer

     (e)  if given to any other Holder, at the address set forth on the books
and records of the Trust.

     All such notices shall be deemed to have been given when received in
person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or

                                      62
<PAGE>
 
mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, except that if a notice or other
document is refused delivery or cannot be delivered because of a changed
address of which no notice was given, such notice or other document shall be
deemed to have been delivered on the date of such refusal or inability to
deliver.

SECTION 14.2   Governing Law.
               ------------- 

     This Declaration and the rights of the parties hereunder shall be
governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware
and all rights and remedies shall be governed by such laws without regard to
principles of conflict of laws.

SECTION 14.3   Intention of the Parties.
               ------------------------ 

      It is the intention of the parties hereto that the Trust be classified for
United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust.  The provisions of
this Declaration shall be interpreted to further this intention of the parties.

SECTION 14.4   Headings.
               -------- 

     Headings contained in this Declaration are inserted for convenience of
reference only and do not affect the interpretation of this Declaration or any
provision hereof.

SECTION 14.5   Successors and Assigns
               ----------------------

     Whenever in this Declaration any of the parties hereto is named or referred
to, the successors and assigns of such party shall be deemed to be included, and
all covenants and agreements in this Declaration by the Sponsor and the Trustees
shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns,
whether so expressed.

SECTION 14.6   Partial Enforceability.
               ---------------------- 

     If any provision of this Declaration, or the application of such
provision to any Person or circumstance, shall be held invalid, the remainder of
this Declaration, or the applica-

                                      63
<PAGE>
 
tion of such provision to persons or circumstances other than those to which it
is held invalid, shall not be affected thereby.

SECTION 14.7   Counterparts.
               ------------ 

     This Declaration may contain more than one counterpart of the signature
page and this Declaration may be executed by the affixing of the signature of
each of the Trustees to one of such counterpart signature pages.  All of such
counterpart signature pages shall be read as though one, and they shall have the
same force and effect as though all of the signers had signed a single signature
page.

                                      64
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Declaration to be
executed as of the day and year first above written.

                                                  [                      ],
                                                  as Regular Trustee



                                                  __________________________
 

                                                  [                      ],
                                                  as Regular Trustee       
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                  __________________________ 
                                                                             
                                                                             
                                                                             
                                                                             
                                                  [                      ],  
                                                  as Regular Trustee         
                                                                             
                                                                             
                                                                             
                                                  __________________________ 
                                                                             
                                                                             
                                                                             
                                                                             
                                                  THE BANK OF NEW YORK       
                                                  (DELAWARE),                
                                                  as Delaware Trustee        
                                                                             
                                                                             
                                                                             
                                                  By:  
                                                  _______________________

                                                  Name:                       

                                      65
<PAGE>
 
                                                  Title:                      
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                  THE BANK OF NEW YORK,       
                                                  as Property Trustee         
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                  By:  
                                                  _______________________

                                                  Name:                       

                                                  Title:                      
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                  TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.,   
                                                  as Sponsor                  
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                  By:   
                                                  _______________________

                                                  Name:                       

                                                  Title:

                                      66
<PAGE>
 
                                    ANNEX I



                                   TERMS OF
                  ___% TRUST ORIGINATED PREFERRED SECURITIES
                    ___% TRUST ORIGINATED COMMON SECURITIES



     Further to Section 7.1 of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust,
dated as of _________ __, 199_ (as amended from time to time, the
"Declaration"), the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences
and other terms and provisions of the Preferred Securities and the Common
Securities are set out below (each capitalized term used but not defined herein
has the meaning set forth in the Declaration or, if not defined in such
Declaration, as defined in the Prospectus referred to below):

     1.   Designation and Number.
          ---------------------- 

     (a)  Preferred Securities.  [                ] Preferred Securities of the
          --------------------                                                  
Trust with an aggregate liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the
Trust of [ ] dollars ($[ ]) and a liquidation amount with respect to the assets
of the Trust of $25 per preferred security, are hereby designated for the
purposes of identification only as "_____% Trust Originated Preferred
Securities/SM/ ('TOPrS'/SM/)" (the "Preferred Securities"). The Preferred
Security Certificates evidencing the Preferred Securities shall be substantially
in the form of Exhibit A-1 to the Declaration, with such changes and additions
thereto or deletions therefrom as may be required by ordinary usage, custom or
practice or to conform to the rules of any stock exchange on which the Preferred
Securities are listed.

     (b)  Common Securities.  [               ] Common Securities of the Trust
          -----------------                                                   
with an aggregate liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of
[               ] dollars ($[           ]) and a liquidation amount with respect
to the assets of the Trust of $25 per common security, are hereby designated for
the purposes of identification only as "______%

                                      I-1
<PAGE>
 
Trust Originated Common Securities" (the "Common Securities"). The Common
Security Certificates evidencing the Common Securities shall be substantially in
the form of Exhibit A-2 to the Declaration, with such changes and additions
thereto or deletions therefrom as may be required by ordinary usage, custom or
practice.

     2.   Distributions.
          ------------- 

     (a)  Distributions payable on each Security will be fixed at a rate per
annum of ______% (the "Coupon Rate") of the stated liquidation amount of $25 per
Security, such rate being the rate of interest payable on the Subordinated Notes
to be held by the Property Trustee. Distributions in arrears for more than one
quarter will bear interest thereon compounded quarterly at the Coupon Rate (to
the extent permitted by applicable law). The term "Distributions" as used herein
includes such cash distributions and any such interest payable unless otherwise
stated. A Distribution is payable only to the extent that payments are made in
respect of the Subordinated Notes held by the Property Trustee and to the extent
the Property Trustee has funds available therefor. The amount of Distributions
payable for any period will be computed for any full quarterly Distribution
period on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and for any
period shorter than a full quarterly Distribution period for which Distributions
are computed, Distributions will be computed on the basis of the actual number
of days elapsed per 90-day quarter.

     (b)  Distributions on the Securities will be cumulative, will accrue from
the date of original issuance, and will be payable quarterly in arrears, on
March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31 of each year, commencing on
________,199_, except as otherwise described below.  The Subordinated Note
Issuer has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest by
extending the interest payment period from time to time on the Subordinated
Notes for a period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarters (each an "Extension
Period"), provided that no Extension Period shall last beyond the date of
          -------- ----                                                  
maturity of the Subordinated Notes.  As a consequence of such deferral,
Distributions will also be deferred.  Despite such deferral, quarterly
Distributions will continue to accrue with interest thereon (to the extent
permitted by applicable law) at the Coupon Rate compounded quar-

                                      I-2
<PAGE>
 
terly during any such Extension Period. Prior to the termination of any such
Extension Period, the Subordinated Note Issuer may further extend such Extension
Period; provided that such Extension Period together with all such previous and
        -------- ----                                              
further extensions thereof may not exceed 20 consecutive quarters or last beyond
the date of maturity of the Subordinated Notes. Payments of accrued
Distributions will be payable to Holders as they appear on the books and records
of the Trust on the first record date for the payment of Distributions after the
end of the Extension Period. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and
the payment of all amounts then due, the Subordinated Note Issuer may commence a
new Extension Period, subject to the above requirements.

     (c)  Distributions on the Securities will be payable to the Holders thereof
as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the relevant record
dates. While the Preferred Securities remain in book-entry only form, the
relevant record dates shall be one Business Day prior to the relevant payment
dates which payment dates correspond to the interest payment dates on the
Subordinated Notes. Subject to any applicable laws and regulations and the
provisions of the Declaration, each such payment in respect of the Preferred
Securities will be made as described under the heading "Description of the
Preferred Securities -- Book-Entry Only Issuance -- The Depository Trust
Company" in the Prospectus dated _________ __, 199-, (the "Prospectus"),
included in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of the Sponsor (in its
capacity as the Subordinated Note Issuer and the issuer of the Preferred
Securities Guarantee) and the Trust (Reg. No. 333-___). The relevant record
dates for the Common Securities shall be the same record dates as for the
Preferred Securities. If the Preferred Securities shall not continue to remain
in book-entry only form, the relevant record dates for the Preferred Securities
shall conform to the rules of any securities exchange on which such securities
are listed and, if none, shall be selected by the Regular Trustees, which dates
shall be at least one Business Day but less than 60 Business Days before the
relevant payment dates, which payment dates correspond to the interest payment
dates on the Subordinated Notes. Distributions payable on any Securities that
are not punctually paid on any Distribution payment date, as a result of the
Subordinated Note Issuer having failed to make a payment under the Subordinated
Notes,

                                      I-3
<PAGE>
 
will cease to be payable to the Person in whose name such Securities are
registered on the relevant regular record date, and such defaulted Distribution
will instead be payable to the Person in whose name such Securities are
registered on the special record date or other specified date determined in
accordance with the Indenture for the making of such payment. If any date on
which Distributions are payable on the Securities is not a Business Day, then
payment of the Distribution payable on such date will be made on the next
succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment
in respect of any such delay) except that, if such Business Day is in the next
succeeding calendar year, such payment shall be made on the immediately
preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force and effect as if made
on such date.

     (d)  In the event that there is any money or other property held by or for
the Trust that is not accounted for hereunder, such property shall be
distributed Pro Rata (as defined herein) among the Holders of the Securities.

     3.   Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution.
          ----------------------------------------- 

     In the event of any voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or
termination of the Trust, the Holders on the date of the dissolution, winding-up
or termination, as the case may be, will be entitled to receive out of the
assets of the Trust available for distribution to Holders after satisfaction of
liabilities of creditors an amount equal to the aggregate of the stated
liquidation amount of $25 per Security plus accrued and unpaid Distributions
thereon to the date of payment (such amount being the "Liquidation
Distribution"), unless, in connection with such dissolution, winding-up or
termination, Subordinated Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the
aggregate stated liquidation amount of such Securities, with an interest rate
equal to the Coupon Rate of, and bearing accrued and unpaid interest in an
amount equal to the accrued and unpaid Distributions on, such Securities, shall
be distributed on a Pro Rata basis to the Holders of the Securities in exchange
for such Securities.

     If, upon any such dissolution, the Liquidation Distribution can be paid
only in part because the Trust has insuffi-

                                      I-4
<PAGE>
 
cient assets available to pay in full the aggregate Liquidation Distribution,
then the amounts payable directly by the Trust on the Securities shall be paid
on a Pro Rata basis.

          4.   Redemption and Distribution.
               --------------------------- 

          (a)  Upon the repayment of the Subordinated Notes in whole or in part,
whether at maturity or upon redemption, the proceeds from such repayment or
payment shall be simultaneously applied to redeem Securities having an aggregate
liquidation amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated
Notes so repaid or redeemed at a redemption price of $25 per Security plus an
amount equal to accrued and unpaid Distributions thereon at the date of the
redemption, payable in cash (the "Redemption Price").  Holders will be given
not less than 30 nor more than 60 days notice of such redemption.

          (b)  If fewer than all the outstanding Securities are to be so
redeemed, the Common Securities and the Preferred Securities will be redeemed
Pro Rata and the procedure for redeeming Preferred Securities will be as
described in Section 4(f)(ii) below.

          (c)  If a Tax Event or an Investment Company Event (each as defined
below, and each a "Special Event") shall occur and be continuing the Regular
Trustees shall, except in certain limited circumstances in relation to a Tax
Event described in this Section 4(c), dissolve the Trust and, after satisfaction
of creditors, cause Subordinated Notes held by the Property Trustee, having an
aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate stated liquidation amount of,
with an interest rate identical to the Coupon Rate of, and accrued and unpaid
interest equal to accrued and unpaid Distributions on, and having the same
record date for payment, as the Securities, to be distributed to the Holders in
liquidation of such Holders' interests in the Trust on a Pro Rata basis, within
90 days following the occurrence of such Special Event (the "90 Day Period");
provided, however, that, as a condition of such dissolution and distribution,
- --------  -------                                                            
the Regular Trustees shall have received an opinion of a nationally recognized
independent tax counsel experienced in such matters (a "No Recognition
Opinion"), which opinion may rely on published revenue rulings of the Internal
Revenue Service, to the effect

                                      I-5
<PAGE>
 
that the Holders will not recognize any gain or loss for United States federal
income tax purposes as a result of the dissolution of the Trust and the
distribution of Subordinated Notes, and provided, further, that, if at the time
                                        --------  -------                      
there is available to the Trust the opportunity to eliminate, within the 90 Day
Period, the Special Event by taking some ministerial action, such as filing a
form or making an election, or pursuing some other similar reasonable measure
that has no adverse effect on the Trust, the Subordinated Note Issuer, the
Sponsor or the Holders ("Ministerial Action"), the Trust will pursue such
Ministerial Action in lieu of dissolution.

          If (i) in the event of a Tax Event, after receipt of a Tax Event
Opinion (as defined hereinafter) by the Regular Trustees, the Subordinated Note
Issuer has received an opinion (a "Redemption Tax Opinion") of a nationally
recognized independent tax counsel experienced in such matters that, as a result
of a Tax Event, there is more than an insubstantial risk that the Subordinated
Note Issuer would be precluded from deducting the interest on the Subordinated
Notes for United States federal income tax purposes even if the Subordinated
Notes were distributed to the Holders in liquidation of such Holders' interests
in the Trust as described in this Section 4(c), or (ii) in the event of any
Special Event, after receipt of a Tax Event Opinion or Investment Company Event
Opinion (as defined hereinafter), as the case may be, the Regular Trustees shall
have been informed by such tax counsel that a No Recognition Opinion cannot be
delivered to the Trust, the Subordinated Note Issuer shall have the right at any
time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days notice, to redeem the
Subordinated Notes in whole or in part for cash within 90 days following the
occurrence of such Special Event, and, following such redemption, Securities
with an aggregate liquidation amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of
the Subordinated Notes so redeemed shall be redeemed by the Trust at the
Redemption Price on a Pro Rata basis; provided, however, that, if at the time
                                      --------  -------                      
there is available to the Trust the opportunity to eliminate, within such 90 day
period, the Special Event by taking some Ministerial Action, the Trust or the
Subordinated Note Issuer will pursue such Ministerial Action in lieu of
redemption.

                                      I-6
<PAGE>
 
          "Tax Event" means that the Regular Trustees shall have received an
opinion of a nationally recognized independent tax counsel experienced in such
matters (a "Tax Event Opinion") to the effect that on or after the date of the
Prospectus, as a result of (a) any amendment to, or change (including any
announced prospective change) in, the laws (or any regulations thereunder) of
the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority therefor or
therein, or (b) any amendment to, or change in, an interpretation or application
of any such laws or regulations by any legislative body, court, governmental
agency or regulatory authority, which amendment or change is enacted,
promulgated, issued or announced or which interpretation or pronouncement is
issued or announced or which action is taken, in each case on or after the date
of the Prospectus, there is more than an insubstantial risk that (i) the Trust
is, or will be within 90 days of the date thereof, subject to United States
federal income tax with respect to interest accrued or received on the
Subordinated Notes, (ii) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date
thereof, subject to more than a de minimis amount of taxes, duties or other
governmental charges, or (iii) interest payable by the Subordinated Note Issuer
to the Trust on the Subordinated Notes is not, or within 90 days of the date
thereof will not be, deductible, in whole or in part, by the Subordinated Note
Issuer for United States federal income tax purposes.

          "Investment Company Event" means that the Regular Trustees shall have
received an opinion of a nationally recognized independent counsel experienced
in practice under the Investment Company Act (an "Investment Company Event
Opinion") that, as a result of the occurrence of a change in law or regulation
or a written change in interpretation or application of law or regulation by any
legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory authority (a "Change
in 1940 Act Law"), there is a more than an insubstantial risk that the Trust is
or will be considered an Investment Company which is required to be registered
under the Investment Company Act, which Change in 1940 Act Law becomes effective
on or after the date of the Prospectus.

          On and from the date fixed by the Regular Trustees for any
distribution of Subordinated Notes and dissolution of the Trust: (i) the
Securities will no longer be deemed to be out- 

                                      I-7
<PAGE>
 
standing and (ii) DTC (the "Depository") or its nominee (or any successor
Clearing Agency or its nominee), as the record Holder of the Preferred
Securities, will receive a registered global certificate or certificates
representing the Subordinated Notes to be delivered upon such distribution and
any certificates representing Securities, except for certificates representing
Preferred Securities held by the Depository or its nominee (or any successor
Clearing Agency or its nominee), will be deemed to represent beneficial
interests in the Subordinated Notes having an aggregate principal amount equal
to the aggregate stated liquidation amount of, with an interest rate identical
to the Coupon Rate of, and accrued and unpaid interest equal to accrued and
unpaid Distributions on such Securities until such certificates are surrendered
or presented to the Subordinated Note Issuer or its agent for transfer or
reissue.

          (d)  The Trust may not redeem fewer than all the outstanding
Securities unless all accrued and unpaid Distributions have been paid on all
Securities for all quarterly Distribution periods terminating on or before the
date of redemption.

          (e)  If the Subordinated Notes are distributed to holders of the
Securities, pursuant to the terms of the Indenture the Subordinated Note Issuer
will use its best efforts to have the Subordinated Notes listed on the New York
Stock Exchange or on such other exchange or the Nasdaq National Market as the
Preferred Securities were listed immediately prior to the distribution of the
Subordinated Notes.

          (f)  The following provisions shall apply to any call for redemption
of Securities or any distribution of Subordinated Notes to Holders:

          (i)  Notice of any redemption of, or notice of distribution of
     Subordinated Notes in exchange for, Securities (a "Redemption/Distribution
     Notice") will be given by the Trust by mail to each Holder of Securities to
     be redeemed or exchanged not fewer than 30 nor more than 60 days before the
     date fixed for redemption or exchange thereof which, in the case of a
     redemption, will be the date fixed for redemption of the Subordinated
     Notes. For purposes of the calculation of the date of redemption or
     exchange and the dates on which

                                      I-8
<PAGE>
 
     notices are given pursuant to this Section 4(f)(i), a
     Redemption/Distribution Notice shall be deemed to be given on the day such
     notice is first mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to Holders.
     Each Redemption/Distribution Notice shall be addressed to each Holder at
     the address of such Holder appearing in the books and records of the Trust.
     No defect in the Redemption/Distribution Notice or in the mailing of either
     thereof with respect to any Holder shall affect the validity of the
     redemption or exchange proceedings with respect to any other Holder.

          (ii)  In the event that fewer than all the outstanding Securities are
     to be redeemed, the Securities to be redeemed shall be redeemed Pro Rata
     from each Holder of Preferred Securities, it being understood that, in
     respect of Preferred Securities registered in the name of and held of
     record by the Depository or its nominee (or any successor Clearing Agency
     or its nominee), the distribution of the proceeds of such redemption will
     be made to each Clearing Agency Participant (or Person on whose behalf such
     Clearing Agency or nominee holds such securities) in accordance with the
     procedures applied by such agency or nominee.

          (iii) If Securities are to be redeemed and the Trust gives a
     Redemption/Distribution Notice, which notice may only be issued if the
     Subordinated Notes are redeemed as set out in this Section 4 (which notice
     will be irrevocable), then (A) while the Preferred Securities are in book-
     entry only form, with respect to the Preferred Securities, by 12:00 noon,
     New York City time, on the redemption date, the Property Trustee will
     deposit irrevocably with the Depository or its nominee (or successor
     Clearing Agency or its nominee) funds sufficient to pay the applicable
     Redemption Price with respect to the Preferred Securities and will give the
     Depository irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the Redemption
     Price to the Holders of the Preferred Securities, provided that the
                                                       --------
     Subordinated Note Issuer has deposited with the Property Trustee a
     sufficient amount of cash in connection with the related redemption or
     maturity of the Subordinated Notes prior to such time, and (B) with respect
     to Preferred Securities issued in definitive form and Common Securities,
     the Property Trustee will pay the

                                      I-9
<PAGE>
 
     relevant Redemption Price to the Holders of such Securities by check mailed
     to the address of the relevant Holder appearing on the books and records of
     the Trust on the redemption date, provided that the Subordinated Note
     Issuer has deposited with the Property Trustee a sufficient amount of cash
     in connection with the related redemption or maturity of the Subordinated
     Notes, prior to such mailing. If a Redemption/Distribution Notice shall
     have been given and funds deposited with the Property Trustee on or before
     the redemption date as required, then immediately prior to the close of
     business on the redemption date distributions will cease to accrue on the
     Securities so called for redemption and all rights of Holders of such
     Securities so called for redemption will cease, except the right of the
     Holders of such Securities to receive the Redemption Price, but without
     interest on such Redemption Price. Neither the Regular Trustees nor the
     Trust shall be required to register or cause to be registered the transfer
     of any Securities that have been so called for redemption. If any date
     fixed for redemption of Securities is not a Business Day, then payment of
     the Redemption Price payable on such date will be made on the next
     succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without any interest or other
     payment in respect of any such delay) except that, if such Business Day
     falls in the next calendar year, such payment will be made on the
     immediately preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force and
     effect as if made on such date fixed for redemption. If payment of the
     Redemption Price in respect of any Securities is improperly withheld or
     refused and not paid on the redemption date either by the Property Trustee
     or by the Sponsor as guarantor pursuant to the relevant Securities
     Guarantee, Distributions on such Securities will continue to accrue from
     the original redemption date to the actual date of payment, in which case
     the actual payment date will be considered the date fixed for redemption
     for purposes of calculating the Redemption Price.

          (iv)  Redemption/Distribution Notices shall be sent by the Regular
     Trustees on behalf of the Trust to (A) in respect of the Preferred
     Securities, the Depository or its nominee (or any successor Clearing Agency
     or its nominee) if the Global Certificates have been issued or, if
     Definitive

                                     I-10
<PAGE>
 
     Preferred Security Certificates have been issued, to the Holders thereof at
     their addresses appearing on the books and records of the Trust, and (B) in
     respect of the Common Securities to the Holder thereof.

          (v)  Subject to the foregoing and applicable law (including, without
     limitation, United States federal securities laws), provided the acquiror
     is not the Holder of the Common Securities or the obligor under the
     Indenture, the Sponsor or any of its subsidiaries may at any time and from
     time to time purchase outstanding Preferred Securities by tender, in the
     open market or by private agreement.

          5.   Voting Rights - Preferred Securities.
               ------------------------------------ 

          (a)  Except as provided under Sections 5(b) and 7 and as otherwise
required by law and the Declaration, the Holders of the Preferred Securities
will have no voting rights.

          (b)  Subject to the requirements set forth in this paragraph, the
Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities, voting
separately as a class, may direct the time, method, and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Property Trustee, or exercising any
trust or power conferred upon the Property Trustee under the Declaration,
including (i) directing the time, method, place of conducting any proceeding for
any remedy available to the Subordinated Note Trustee, or exercising any trust
or power conferred on the Subordinated Note Trustee with respect to the
Subordinated Notes, (ii) waive any past default and its consequences that is
waivable under Section 6.04 of the Indenture, or (iii) exercise any right to
rescind or annul a declaration that the principal of all the Subordinated Notes
shall be due and payable, provided, however, that, where a consent under the
                 -------  --------
Indenture would require the consent or act of the Holders of greater than a
majority in principal amount of Subordinated Notes affected thereby (a "Super
Majority"), the Property Trustee may only give such consent or take such action
at the direction of the Holders of at least the proportion in liquidation amount
of the Preferred Securities outstanding which the relevant Super Majority
represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated Notes
outstanding. The Property Trustee shall not revoke any action previously

                                     I-11
<PAGE>
 
authorized or approved by a vote of the Holders of the Preferred Securities.
Other than with respect to directing the time, method and place of conducting
any remedy available to the Property Trustee or the Subordinated Note Trustee as
set forth above, the Property Trustee shall not take any action in accordance
with the directions of the Holders of the Preferred Securities under this
paragraph unless the Property Trustee has obtained an opinion of tax counsel
to the effect that for the purposes of United States federal income tax the
Trust will not be classified as other than a grantor trust on account of such
action.  If the Property Trustee fails to enforce its rights under the
Declaration, any Holder of Preferred Securities may institute a legal proceeding
directly against any Person to enforce the Property Trustee's rights under the
Declaration without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Property
Trustee or any other Person.  If an Event of Default occurs that results from
the failure of the Subordinated Note Issuer to pay principal of or interest on
the Subordinated Notes when due, then during the continuance of such Event of
Default each Holder of Preferred Securities may directly institute proceedings
against the Subordinated Note Issuer to obtain payment to such Holder of an
amount equal to the principal or interest so defaulted on with respect to
Subordinated Notes in a principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation
amount of the Preferred Securities owned by such Holder.  No Holder of Preferred
Securities will be entitled to exercise directly against the Subordinated Note
Issuer any other remedy available to the Property Trustee, as the record holder
of the Subordinated Notes, unless the Property Trustee first fails to exercise
such remedy.

          Any approval or direction of Holders of Preferred Securities may be
given at a separate meeting of Holders of Preferred Securities convened for such
purpose, at a meeting of all of the Holders of Securities in the Trust or
pursuant to written consent. The Regular Trustees will cause a notice of any
meeting at which Holders of Preferred Securities are entitled to vote, or of any
matter upon which action by written consent of such Holders is to be taken, to
be mailed to each Holder of record of Preferred Securities. Each such notice
will include a statement setting forth (i) the date of such meeting or the date
by which such action is to be taken, (ii) a description of any resolution
proposed for adoption at such meeting on which such Holders are

                                     I-12
<PAGE>
 
entitled to vote or of such matter upon which written consent is sought and
(iii) instructions for the delivery of proxies or consents.

          No vote or consent of the Holders of the Preferred Securities will be
required for the Trust to redeem and cancel Preferred Securities or to
distribute the Subordinated Notes in accordance with the Declaration and the
terms of the Securities.

          Notwithstanding that Holders of Preferred Securities are entitled to
vote or consent under any of the circumstances described above, any of the
Preferred Securities that are owned by the Sponsor or any Affiliate of the
Sponsor shall not be entitled to vote or consent and shall, for purposes of
such vote or consent, be treated as if they were not outstanding.

          6.   Voting Rights - Common Securities.
               --------------------------------- 

          (a)  Except as provided under Sections 6(b), (c) and 7 or as otherwise
required by law and the Declaration, the Holders of the Common Securities will
have no voting rights.

          (b)  The Holders of the Common Securities are entitled, in accordance
with Article V of the Declaration, to vote to appoint, remove or replace any
Trustee or to increase or decrease the number of Trustees.

          (c)  Subject to Section 2.6 of the Declaration and only after all
Events of Default with respect to the Preferred Securities have been cured,
waived, or otherwise eliminated and subject to the requirements of the
penultimate sentence of this paragraph, the Holders of a Majority in liquidation
amount of the Common Securities, voting separately as a class, may direct the
time, method, and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to
the Property Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the
Property Trustee under the Declaration, including (i) directing the time,
method, place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the
Subordinated Note Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the
Subordinated Note Trustee with respect to the Subordinated Notes, (ii) waive any
past default and its consequences that is waivable under Section 6.04 of the
Indenture, or (iii) exercise

                                     I-13
<PAGE>
 
any right to rescind or annul a declaration that the principal of all the
Subordinated Notes shall be due and payable, provided that, where a consent or
                                             -------- ----                    
action under the Indenture would require the consent or act of the Holders of a
Super Majority, the Property Trustee may only give such consent or take such
action at the direction of the Holders of at least the proportion in liquidation
amount of the Common Securities outstanding which the relevant Super Majority
represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated Notes
outstanding.  Notwithstanding any vote pursuant to this Section 6(c), the
Property Trustee shall not revoke any action previously authorized or approved
by a vote of the Holders of the Preferred Securities.  Other than with respect
to directing the time, method and place of conducting any remedy available to
the Property Trustee or the Subordinated Note Trustee as set forth above, the
Property Trustee shall not take any action in accordance with the directions
of the Holders of the Common Securities under this paragraph unless the
Property Trustee has obtained an opinion of tax counsel to the effect that for
the purposes of United States federal income tax the Trust will not be
classified as other than a grantor trust on account of such action.  If the
Property Trustee fails to enforce its rights under the Declaration, any Holder
of Common Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against any
Person to enforce the Property Trustee's rights under the Declaration, without
first instituting a legal proceeding against the Property Trustee or any other
Person.

          Any approval or direction of Holders of Common Securities may be given
at a separate meeting of Holders of Common Securities convened for such purpose,
at a meeting of all of the Holders of Securities in the Trust or pursuant to
written consent. The Regular Trustees will cause a notice of any meeting at
which Holders of Common Securities are entitled to vote, or of any matter upon
which action by written consent of such Holders is to be taken, to be mailed to
each Holder of record of Common Securities. Each such notice will include a
statement setting forth (i) the date of such meeting or the date by which such
action is to be taken, (ii) a description of any resolution proposed for
adoption at such meeting on which such Holders are entitled to vote or of such
matter upon which written consent is sought and (iii) instructions for the
delivery of proxies or consents.

                                     I-14
<PAGE>
 
          No vote or consent of the Holders of the Common Securities will be
required for the Trust to redeem and cancel Common Securities or to distribute
the Subordinated Notes in accordance with the Declaration and the terms of the
Securities.

          7.   Amendments to Declaration and Indenture.
               --------------------------------------- 

          (a)  In addition to any requirements under Section 12.1 of the
Declaration, if any proposed amendment to the Declaration provides for, or the
Regular Trustees otherwise propose to effect, (i) any action that would
adversely affect the powers, preferences or special rights of the Securities,
whether by way of amendment to the Declaration or otherwise, or (ii) the
dissolution, winding-up or termination of the Trust, other than under the
circumstances described in Section 8.1 of the Declaration, then the Holders of
outstanding Securities will be entitled to vote on such amendment or proposal
(but not on any other amendment or proposal) and such amendment or proposal
shall not be effective except with the approval of the Holders of at least a
Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities, voting together as a single
class; provided, however, if any amendment or proposal referred to in clause (i)
above would adversely affect only the Preferred Securities or only the Common
Securities, then only the affected class will be entitled to vote on such
amendment or proposal and such amendment or proposal shall not be effective
except with the approval of a Majority in liquidation amount of such class of
Securities.

          (b)  In the event the consent of the Property Trustee as the holder of
the Subordinated Notes is required under the Indenture with respect to any
amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture or the Subordinated
Notes, the Property Trustee shall request the direction of the Holders of the
Securities with respect to such amendment, modification or termination and shall
vote with respect to such amendment, modification or termination as directed by
a Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities voting together as a single
class; provided, however, that where a consent under the Indenture
       --------  -------                                          
would require the consent of the holders of a Super Majority, the Property
Trustee may only give such consent at the direction of the Holders of at least
the proportion in liquidation amount of the Securities which the relevant Super
Majority represents of the

                                     I-15
<PAGE>
 
aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated Notes outstanding; provided,
                                                                  -------- 
further, that the Property Trustee shall not take any action in accordance with
- -------                                                                        
the directions of the Holders of the Securities under this Section 7(b) unless
the Property Trustee has obtained an opinion of tax counsel to the effect that
for the purposes of United States federal income tax the Trust will not be
classified as other than a grantor trust on account of such action.

          8.   Pro Rata.
               -------- 

          A reference in these terms of the Securities to any payment,
distribution or treatment as being "Pro Rata" shall mean pro rata to each Holder
of Securities according to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Securities
held by the relevant Holder in relation to the aggregate liquidation amount of
all Securities outstanding unless, in relation to a payment, an Event of Default
under the Declaration in respect of the Preferred Securities has occurred and is
continuing, in which case any funds available to make such payment shall be paid
first to each Holder of the Preferred Securities pro rata according to the
aggregate liquidation amount of Preferred Securities held by the relevant Holder
relative to the aggregate liquidation amount of all Preferred Securities
outstanding, and only after satisfaction of all amounts owed to the Holders of
the Preferred Securities, then to each Holder of Common Securities pro rata
according to the aggregate liquidation amount of Common Securities held by the
relevant Holder relative to the aggregate liquidation amount of all Common
Securities outstanding.

          9.   Ranking.
               ------- 

          The Preferred Securities rank pari passu, and payment thereon shall be
                                        ---- -----
made Pro Rata, with the Common Securities except that, where an Event of Default
occurs and is continuing under the Indenture in respect of the Subordinated
Notes held by the Property Trustee, the rights of Holders of the Common
Securities to payment in respect of Distributions and payments upon liquidation,
redemption and otherwise are subordinated to the rights to payment of the
Holders of the Preferred Securities.

          10.  Listing.
               ------- 

                                     I-16
<PAGE>
 
          The Regular Trustees shall use their best efforts to cause the
Preferred Securities to be listed for quotation on the New York Stock Exchange,
Inc.

          11.  Acceptance of Securities Guarantee and Indenture.
               ------------------------------------------------- 

          Each Holder of Preferred Securities and Common Securities, by the
acceptance thereof, agrees to the provisions of the Preferred Securities
Guarantee and the Common Securities Guarantee, respectively, including the
subordination provisions therein and to the provisions of the Indenture.

          12.  No Preemptive Rights.
               -------------------- 

          The Holders of the Securities shall have no preemptive rights to
subscribe for any additional securities.

          13.  Miscellaneous.
               ------------- 

          These terms constitute a part of the Declaration.

          The Sponsor will provide a copy of the Declaration, the Preferred
Securities Guarantee or the Common Securities Guarantee (as may be appropriate)
and the Indenture to a Holder without charge on written request to the Sponsor
at its principal place of business.

                                     I-17
<PAGE>
 
                                  EXHIBIT A-1

                    FORM OF PREFERRED SECURITY CERTIFICATE



     [IF THE PREFERRED SECURITY IS TO BE A GLOBAL CERTIFICATE INSERT - This
Preferred Security is a Global Certificate within the meaning of the Declaration
hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of The Depository Trust
Company (the "Depositary") or a nominee of the Depositary.  This Preferred
Security is exchangeable for Preferred Securities registered in the name of a
person other than the Depositary or its nominee only in the limited
circumstances described in the Declaration and no transfer of this Preferred
Security (other than a transfer of this Preferred Security as a whole by the
Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary or by a nominee of the Depositary to
the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary) may be registered except in
limited circumstances.

     Unless this Preferred Security is presented by an authorized representative
of The Depository Trust Company (55 Water Street, New York, New York) to the
Trust or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any
Preferred Security issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or such other
name as requested by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust
Company and any payment hereon is made to Cede & Co., ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR
OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY A PERSON IS WRONGFUL since the
registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.]

Certificate Number                                Number of Preferred Securities
 
                                               CUSIP NO. [           ]


                  Certificate Evidencing Preferred Securities

                                      of

                        TCI Communications Financing V

                                     A1-1
<PAGE>
 
                  ____% Trust Originated Preferred Securities
                (liquidation amount $25 per Preferred Security)

     TCI Communications Financing V, a statutory business trust formed under the
laws of the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), hereby certifies that
______________ (the "Holder") is the registered owner of _______ preferred
securities of the Trust representing an undivided beneficial interest in the
assets of the Trust designated the _____% Trust Originated Preferred Securities
(liquidation amount $25 per Preferred Security) (the "Preferred Securities").
The Preferred Securities are transferable on the books and records of the Trust,
in person or by a duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this certificate
duly endorsed and in proper form for transfer. The designations, rights,
privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the
Preferred Securities are set forth in, and this certificate and the Preferred
Securities represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to
the terms and provisions of, the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of
the Trust dated as of _______, 199_, as the same may be amended from time to
time (the "Declaration") including the designation of the terms of Preferred
Securities as set forth in Annex I to the Declaration. The Preferred Securities
and the Common Securities issued by the Trust pursuant to the Declaration
represent undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust, including
the Subordinated Notes (as defined in the Declaration) issued by TCI
Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("TCIC"), to the Trust pursuant to
the Indenture referred to in the Declaration. The Holder is entitled to the
benefits of the Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement of TCIC dated as of
___________, 199_ (the "Guarantee") to the extent provided therein. The Trust
will furnish a copy of the Declaration, the Guarantee and the Indenture to the
Holder without charge upon written request to the Trust at its principal place
of business or registered office.

     The Holder of this certificate, by accepting his certificate, is deemed to
have (i) agreed to the terms of the Indenture and the Subordinated Notes,
including that the Subordinated Notes are subordinate and junior in right to
payment to all Senior Indebtedness (as defined in the Indenture) as and to the
extent provided in the Indenture and (ii) agreed to the terms of the Guarantee,
including that the Guarantee is (x) subordinate and

                                     A1-2
<PAGE>
 
junior in right to payment to all other liabilities of TCIC, including the
Subordinated Notes, except those made pari passu or subordinated by their terms,
and (y) pari passu with the most senior preferred or preference stock now or
hereafter issued by TCIC and with any guarantee now or hereafter entered into by
TCIC in respect of any preferred or preference stock of any affiliate of TCIC.

     Upon receipt of this certificate, the Holder is bound by the Declaration
and is entitled to the benefits thereunder.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the regular trustees of the Trust have executed this
certificate for and on behalf of the Trust.



                         Dated:

                         COUNTERSIGNED AND REGISTERED:

                         THE BANK OF NEW YORK
                              (New York, New York)
                         Transfer Agent and Registrar


                         By:________________________________
                                   Authorized Signature



                         TCI COMMUNICATIONS FINANCING V


                         By: _______________________________
                                   Regular Trustee

                         By: _______________________________
                                   Regular Trustee

                                     A1-3
<PAGE>
 
     The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of
this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full
according to applicable laws or regulations:

TEN COM --as tenants in common             UNIF GIFT ACT --_____Custodian_______
TEN ENT --as tenants by the entireties                     (Cust)        (Minor)
JT TEN  --as joint tenants with right of           Under Uniform Gifts to Minors
     survivorship and not as tenants               Act _____________________
     in common                                             (State)



     Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

                                     A1-4
<PAGE>
 
                             _____________________


                                  ASSIGNMENT

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers this to:
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
         PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER


________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
               Please print or typewrite name(s) and address(es)
                 including postal zip code(s), of assignee(s)


and irrevocably appoints
of the Preferred Securities represented by this Certificate
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________ attorney to transfer
such Preferred Securities on the books of the Trust. The attorney may substitute
another to act for him or her.


Date: _______________________

Signature: __________________
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Preferred Security
Certificate)


Signature: __________________
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Preferred Security
Certificate)


*IMPORTANT READ CAREFULLY!

     The signature(s) to this assignment must correspond with the name(s) as
written upon the face of the certificate in every

                                     A1-5
<PAGE>
 
particular without alteration, enlargement or change whatsoever. The
signature(s) of the person(s) executing this power must be guaranteed by an
eligible guarantor institution which, at the time of issuing the guarantee, is a
member of, or a participant in the medallion signature guarantee program
recognized by the Securities Transfer Association.

                                     A1-6
<PAGE>
 
                                  EXHIBIT A-2

                      FORM OF COMMON SECURITY CERTIFICATE


Certificate Number                                   Number of Common Securities
 

                   Certificate Evidencing Common Securities

                                      of

                        TCI Communications Financing V


                  ______% Trust Originated Common Securities
                 (liquidation amount $25 per Common Security)


     TCI Communications Financing V, a statutory business trust formed under
the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), hereby certifies that
_________________ (the "Holder") is the registered owner of common securities of
the Trust representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the
Trust designated the  ______% Trust Originated Common Securities (liquidation
amount $25 per Common Security) (the "Common Securities").  The Common
Securities are transferable on the books and records of the Trust, in person or
by a duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this certificate duly
endorsed and in proper form for transfer.  The designation, rights, privileges,
restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the Common
Securities represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to
the provisions of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust
dated as of _______, 199_, as the same may be amended from time to time (the
"Declaration"), including the designation of the terms of the Common Securities
as set forth in Annex I to the Declaration.  Capitalized terms used herein but
not defined shall have the meaning given them in the Declaration.  The Holder is
entitled to the benefits of the Common Securities Guarantee to the extent
provided therein.  The Sponsor will provide a copy of the Declaration, the
Common Securities Guarantee and the Indenture to a Holder without charge upon
written request to the Sponsor at its principal place of business.

                                     A2-1
<PAGE>
 
          Upon receipt of this certificate, the Sponsor is bound by the
Declaration and is entitled to the benefits thereunder.

          By acceptance, the Holder agrees to treat, for United States federal
income tax purposes, the Subordinated Notes as indebtedness and the Common
Securities as evidence of indirect beneficial ownership in the Subordinated
Notes.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has executed this certificate this __ day of
____________, 199__.


                              TCI COMMUNICATIONS FINANCING V



                              By: _________________________
                              Name:
                              Title:

                                     A2-2
<PAGE>
 
                             _____________________


                                  ASSIGNMENT

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers this Common Security
Certificate to:

________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
____
(Insert assignee's name and social security or tax identification number)

________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
____
(Insert address and zip code of assignee)

and irrevocably appoints 
________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________ agent to transfer this Common
Security Certificate on the books of the Trust. The agent may substitute another
to act for him or her.

Date: _______________________

Signature: __________________
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Common Security
Certificate)

                                     A2-3
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT B

                         SPECIMEN OF SUBORDINATED NOTE

                                      B-1
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT C

                            UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

                                      C-1

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.12



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



                       AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION

                                   OF TRUST


                        TCI COMMUNICATIONS FINANCING VI


                         Dated as of _______ __, 199_



                     ====================================
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
                               -----------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
<S>            <C>                                                          <C>
                                   ARTICLE I
                        INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.1    Definitions................................................    3
               -----------

                                  ARTICLE II
                              TRUST INDENTURE ACT

SECTION 2.1    Trust Indenture Act; Application...........................   10
               --------------------------------
SECTION 2.2    Lists of Holders of Securities.............................   11
               ------------------------------
SECTION 2.3    Reports by the Property Trustee............................   12
               -------------------------------
SECTION 2.4    Periodic Reports to Property Trustee.......................   12
               ------------------------------------
SECTION 2.5    Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent
               ------------------------------------------------
SECTION 2.6    Events of Default; Waiver..................................   12
               -------------------------
SECTION 2.7    Event of Default; Notice...................................   15
               ------------------------

                                  ARTICLE III
                                 ORGANIZATION

SECTION 3.1     Name......................................................   15
                ----
SECTION 3.2     Office....................................................   16
                ------
SECTION 3.3     Purpose...................................................   16
                -------
SECTION 3.4     Authority.................................................   16
                ---------
SECTION 3.5     Title to Property of the Trust............................   17
                ------------------------------
SECTION 3.6     Powers and Duties of the Regular Trustees.................   17
                -----------------------------------------
SECTION 3.7     Prohibition of Actions by the Trust and the Trustees......   20
                ----------------------------------------------------
SECTION 3.8     Powers and Duties of the Property Trustee.................   22
                -----------------------------------------
SECTION 3.9     Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the Property
                ---------------------------------------------------
                Trustee...................................................   24
                -------
SECTION 3.10    Certain Rights of the Property Trustee....................   27
                --------------------------------------
SECTION 3.11    Delaware Trustee..........................................   29
                ----------------
SECTION 3.12    Execution of Documents....................................   30
                ----------------------
SECTION 3.13    Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of
                -------------------------------------------
                Securities................................................   30
                ----------
SECTION 3.14    Duration of Trust.........................................   30
                -----------------
SECTION 3.15    Mergers...................................................   30
                -------

</TABLE>

                                       i
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           Page
                                                                           ----
<S>             <C>                                                        <C> 
                                  ARTICLE IV
                                    SPONSOR


SECTION 4.1     Sponsor's Purchase of Common Securities...................   33
                ---------------------------------------
SECTION 4.2     Responsibilities of the Sponsor...........................   33
                -------------------------------
SECTION 4.3     Expenses..................................................   34
                --------

                                   ARTICLE V
                                   TRUSTEES

SECTION 5.1     Number of Trustees........................................   35
                ------------------
SECTION 5.2     Delaware Trustee..........................................   35
                ----------------
SECTION 5.3     Property Trustee; Eligibility.............................   35
                -----------------------------
SECTION 5.4     Qualifications of Regular Trustees and Delaware
                -----------------------------------------------
                Trustee Generally.........................................   37
                -----------------
SECTION 5.5     Initial Trustees..........................................   37
                ----------------
SECTION 5.6     Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Trustees..........   37
                ------------------------------------------------
SECTION 5.7     Vacancies among Trustees..................................   39
                ------------------------
SECTION 5.8     Effect of Vacancies.......................................   39
                -------------------
SECTION 5.9     Meetings..................................................   40
                --------
SECTION 5.10    Delegation of Power.......................................   40
                -------------------

                                  ARTICLE VI
                                 DISTRIBUTIONS

SECTION 6.1     Distributions.............................................   41
                -------------

                                  ARTICLE VII
                            ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES

SECTION 7.1    General Provisions Regarding Securities....................   41
               ---------------------------------------

                                 ARTICLE VIII
                             TERMINATION OF TRUST

SECTION 8.1    Termination of Trust.......................................   43
               --------------------
</TABLE>

                                      ii
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           Page
                                                                           ----
<S>             <C>                                                        <C> 
                                  ARTICLE IX
                             TRANSFER OF INTERESTS

SECTION 9.1    Transfer of Securities.....................................   44
               ----------------------
SECTION 9.2    Transfer of Certificates...................................   44
               ------------------------
SECTION 9.3    Deemed Security Holders....................................   45
               -----------------------
SECTION 9.4    Book Entry Interests.......................................   45
               --------------------
SECTION 9.5    Notices to Clearing Agency.................................   46
               --------------------------
SECTION 9.6    Appointment of Successor Clearing Agency...................   47
               ----------------------------------------
SECTION 9.7    Definitive Preferred Security Certificates.................   47
               ------------------------------------------
SECTION 9.8    Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates..........   48
               -------------------------------------------------

                                  ARTICLE X
                          LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF
                   HOLDERS OF SECURITIES, TRUSTEES OR OTHERS

SECTION 10.1    Liability.................................................   49
                ---------
SECTION 10.2    Exculpation...............................................   49
                -----------
SECTION 10.3    Fiduciary Duty............................................   50
                --------------
SECTION 10.4    Indemnification...........................................   51
                ---------------
SECTION 10.5    Outside Businesses........................................   52
                ------------------

                                  ARTICLE XI
                                  ACCOUNTING

SECTION 11.1    Fiscal Year...............................................   53
                -----------
SECTION 11.2    Certain Accounting Matters................................   53
                --------------------------
SECTION 11.3    Banking...................................................   54
                -------
SECTION 11.4    Withholding...............................................   54
                -----------

                                  ARTICLE XII
                            AMENDMENTS AND MEETINGS

SECTION 12.1    Amendments................................................   55
                ----------
SECTION 12.2    Meetings of the Holders; Action by Written
                ------------------------------------------
                Consent...................................................   57
                -------
</TABLE>

                                      iii
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION> 
                                                                           Page
                                                                           ----
<S>             <C>                                                        <C>  
                                 ARTICLE XIII
                      REPRESENTATIONS OF PROPERTY TRUSTEE
                             AND DELAWARE TRUSTEE

SECTION 13.1    Representations and Warranties of Property
                ------------------------------------------
                Trustee...................................................   59
                -------
SECTION 13.2    Representations and Warranties of Delaware
                ------------------------------------------
                Trustee...................................................   60
                -------

                                  ARTICLE XIV
                                 MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 14.1    Notices...................................................   61
                -------
SECTION 14.2    Governing Law.............................................   63
                -------------
SECTION 14.3    Intention of the Parties..................................   63
                ------------------------
SECTION 14.4    Headings..................................................   63
                --------
SECTION 14.5    Successors and Assigns....................................   63
                ----------------------
SECTION 14.6    Partial Enforceability....................................   63
                ----------------------
SECTION 14.7    Counterparts..............................................   64
                ------------


ANNEX I         TERMS OF SECURITIES.......................................  I-1
EXHIBIT A-1     FORM OF PREFERRED SECURITY
                 CERTIFICATE.............................................. A1-1
EXHIBIT A-2     FORM OF COMMON SECURITY CERTIFICATE....................... A2-1
EXHIBIT B       SPECIMEN OF SUBORDINATED NOTE.............................  B-1
EXHIBIT C       UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT....................................  C-1
</TABLE>

                                      iv
<PAGE>
 
                            CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*


   Section of
Trust Indenture Act                                    Section of
of 1939, as amended                                    Declaration
- -------------------                                    -----------

310(a)..............................................   5.3(a)
310(b)..............................................   5.3(c), 5.3(d)
310(c)..............................................   Inapplicable
311(a)..............................................   2.2(b)
311(b)..............................................   2.2(b)
311(c)..............................................   Inapplicable
312(a)..............................................   2.2(a)
312(b)..............................................   2.2(b)
313 ................................................   2.3
314(a)..............................................   2.4
314(b)..............................................   Inapplicable
314(c)..............................................   2.5
314(d)..............................................   Inapplicable
314(e)..............................................   1.1, 2.5
314(f)..............................................   Inapplicable
315(a)..............................................   3.9(b)
315(c)..............................................   3.9(a)
315(d)..............................................   3.9(b)
316(a)..............................................   Annex I
316(c)..............................................   3.6(e)
317(a)..............................................   3.8(d)
317(b)..............................................   3.8(h)
_______________

*    This Cross-Reference Table does not constitute part of the Declaration and
     shall not affect the interpretation of any of its terms or provisions.
<PAGE>
 
                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                              DECLARATION OF TRUST
                                       OF
                        TCI COMMUNICATIONS FINANCING VI

                               _________ __, 199_



          AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST ("Declaration"), dated and
effective as of _________ __, 199_, by the Trustees (as defined herein), the
Sponsor (as defined herein) and by the holders, from time to time, of undivided
beneficial interests in the Trust to be issued pursuant to this Declaration.


                              W I T N E S S E T H:
                              - - - - - - - - - - 

          WHEREAS, the Trustees and the Sponsor established TCI Communications
Financing VI (the "Trust"), as a business trust under the Delaware Business
Trust Act pursuant to a Declaration of Trust dated as of October __, 1996 (the
"Original Declaration") and a Certificate of Trust filed with the Secretary of
State of the State of Delaware on October __, 1996, for the sole purpose of
issuing and selling certain securities representing undivided beneficial
interests in the assets of the Trust and investing the proceeds thereof in
certain Subordinated Notes of the Subordinated Note Issuer (as defined herein);

          WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, no interests in the Trust have been
issued; and

          WHEREAS, all of the Trustees and the Sponsor, by this Declaration,
amend and restate each and every term and provision of the Original Declaration.

          NOW, THEREFORE, it being the intention of the parties hereto to
continue the Trust as a business trust under the Business Trust Act and that
this Declaration constitute the governing instrument of such business trust,
the Trustees declare that all assets contributed to the Trust will be held in
trust for the benefit of the holders, from time to time, of the securi-
<PAGE>
 
ties representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust
issued hereunder, subject to the provisions of this Declaration.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE I
                         INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS

 SECTION 1.1   Definitions.
               ----------- 

          Unless the context otherwise requires:

          (a)  Capitalized terms used in this Declaration but not defined in the
     preamble above have the respective meanings assigned to them in this
     Section 1.1;

          (b)  a term defined anywhere in this Declaration has the same meaning
     throughout;

          (c)  all references to "the Declaration" or "this Declaration" are to
     this Declaration as modified, supplemented or amended from time to time;

          (d)  all references in this Declaration to Articles and Sections and
     Annexes and Exhibits are to Articles and Sections of and Annexes and
     Exhibits to this Declaration unless otherwise specified;

          (e)  a term defined in the Trust Indenture Act has the same meaning
     when used in this Declaration unless otherwise defined in this Declaration
     or unless the context otherwise requires; and

          (f)  a reference in this Declaration to the singular includes the
     plural and vice versa.

          "Affiliate" has the same meaning as given to that term in Rule 405 of
           ---------                                                           
the Securities Act or any successor rule thereunder.

          "Authorized Officer" of a Person means any Person that is authorized
           ------------------                                                 
to bind such Person.

          "Book Entry Interest" means a beneficial interest in a Global
           -------------------                                         
Certificate, ownership and transfers of which shall be maintained and made
through book entries by a Clearing Agency as described in Section 9.4.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
          "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or any
           ------------                                                      
other day on which banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized or
required by law to close.

          "Business Trust Act" means Chapter 38 of Title 12 of the Delaware
           ------------------                                              
Code, 12 Del. Code (S)3801 et seq., as it may be amended from time to time.
      ------------         -- ---                                          

          "Certificate" means a Common Security Certificate or a Preferred
           -----------                                                    
Security Certificate.

          "Clearing Agency" means an organization registered as a "clearing
           ---------------                                                 
agency" pursuant to Section 17A of the Exchange Act that is acting as depositary
for the Preferred Securities and in whose name or in the name of a nominee of
that organization shall be registered a Global Certificate and which shall
undertake to effect book entry transfers and pledges of the Preferred
Securities.

          "Clearing Agency Participant" means a broker, dealer, bank or other
           ---------------------------                                       
financial institution or other Person for whom from time to time the Clearing
Agency effects book entry transfers and pledges of securities deposited with the
Clearing Agency.

          "Closing Date" means ______________, 199_.
           ------------                             

          "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended from time to
           ----                                                                 
time, or any successor legislation.

          "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
           ----------                                                

          "Common Securities Guarantee" means the guarantee agreement, dated as
           ---------------------------                                         
of ____________, ____, of the Sponsor in respect of the Common Securities.

          "Common Security" has the meaning specified in Section 7.1.
           ---------------                                           

          "Common Security Certificate" means a definitive certificate in fully
           ---------------------------                                         
registered form representing a Common Security substantially in the form of
Exhibit A-2.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
          "Covered Person" means: (a) any officer, director, shareholder,
           --------------                                                
partner, member, representative, employee or agent of (i) the Trust or (ii) the
Trust's Affiliates; and (b) any Holder of Securities.


          "Delaware Trustee" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2.
           ----------------                                           

          "Definitive Preferred Security Certificates" has the meaning set forth
           ------------------------------------------                           
in Section 9.4.

          "Direction" by a Person means a written direction signed:
           ---------                                               

          (a)  if the Person is a natural Person, by that Person; or

          (b)  in any other case, in the name of such Person by one or more
     Authorized Officers of that Person.

          "Distribution" means a distribution payable to Holders of Securities
           ------------                                                       
in accordance with Section 6.1.

          "DTC" means the Depository Trust Company, the initial Clearing Agency.
           ---                                                                  

          "Event of Default" in respect of the Securities means an Event of
           ----------------                                                
Default (as defined in the Indenture) has occurred and is continuing in respect
of the Subordinated Notes.

          "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
           ------------                                                       
from time to time, or any successor legislation.

          "Global Certificate" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.4.
           ------------------                                           

          "Holder" means a Person in whose name a Certificate representing a
           ------                                                           
Security is registered, such Person being a beneficial owner within the meaning
of the Business Trust Act.

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
          "Indemnified Person" means (a) any Trustee; (b) any Affiliate of any
           ------------------                                                 
Trustee; (c) any officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners,
employees, representatives or agents of any Trustee; or (d) any employee or
agent of the Trust or its Affiliates.

          "Indenture" means the Indenture dated as of January 29, 1996, as
           ---------                                                      
amended and supplemented by a ______ Supplemental Indenture, dated as of
___________, ____, among the Subordinated Note Issuer and the Subordinated Note
Trustee, and any further indenture supplemental thereto relating to the
Subordinated Notes.

          "Investment Company" means an investment company (as defined in the
           ------------------                                                
Investment Company Act) that is required to register as such under the
Investment Company Act.

          "Investment Company Act"  means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
           ----------------------                                               
amended from time to time, or any successor legislation.

          "Investment Company Event" has the meaning set forth in Annex I
           ------------------------                                      
hereto.

          "Legal Action" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.6(g).
           ------------                                              

          "Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities" means, except as
           ------------------------------------------------                  
provided in the terms of the Preferred Securities and by the Trust Indenture
Act, Holder(s) of outstanding Securities voting together as a single class or,
as the context may require, Holders of outstanding Preferred Securities or
Holders of outstanding Common Securities voting separately as a class, who are
the record owners of more than 50% of the aggregate liquidation amount
(including the stated amount that would be paid on redemption, liquidation or
otherwise, plus accrued and unpaid Distributions to the date upon which the
voting percentages are determined) of all outstanding Securities of the
relevant class.

          "Ministerial Action" has the meaning set forth in the terms of the
           ------------------                                               
Securities as set forth in Annex I.

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
          "Officers' Certificate" means, with respect to any Person, a
           ---------------------                                      
certificate signed by two Authorized Officers of such Person.  Any Officers'
Certificate delivered with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant
provided for in this Declaration shall include:

          (a)  a statement that each officer signing the Certificate has read
     the covenant or condition and the definitions relating thereto;

          (b)  a brief statement of the nature and scope of the examination or
     investigation undertaken by each officer in rendering the Certificate;

          (c)  a statement that each such officer has made such examination or
     investigation as, in such officer's opinion, is necessary to enable such
     officer to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant
     or condition has been complied with; and

          (d)  a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such officer,
     such condition or covenant has been complied with.

          "Paying Agent" has the meaning specified in Section 3.8(h).
           ------------                                              

          "Person" means a legal person, including any individual, corporation,
           ------                                                               
estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, limited
liability company, trust, unincorporated association or government or any
agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity of whatever nature.

          "Preferred Securities Guarantee" means the guarantee agreement, dated
           ------------------------------                                      
as of ______, 199_, of the Sponsor in respect of the Preferred Securities.

          "Preferred Security" has the meaning specified in Section 7.1.
           ------------------                                           

          "Preferred Security Beneficial Owner" means, with respect to a Book
           -----------------------------------                               
Entry Interest, a Person who is the beneficial

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
owner of such Book Entry Interest, as reflected on the books of the Clearing
Agency, or on the books of a Person maintaining an account with such Clearing
Agency (directly as a Clearing Agency Participant or as an indirect participant,
in each case in accordance with the rules of such Clearing Agency).

          "Preferred Security Certificate" means a certificate representing a
           ------------------------------                                    
Preferred Security substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1.

          "Pricing Agreement" means the pricing agreement among the Trust, the
           -----------------                                                  
Subordinated Note Issuer and the underwriters designated by the Regular Trustees
with respect to the offer and sale of the Preferred Securities.

          "Property Trustee" means the Trustee meeting the eligibility
           ----------------                                           
requirements set forth in Section 5.3.

          "Property Trustee Account" has the meaning set forth in Section
           ------------------------                                      
3.8(c).

          "Quorum" means a majority of the Regular Trustees or, if there are
           ------                                                           
only two Regular Trustees, both of them.

          "Regular Trustee" means any Trustee other than the Property Trustee
           ---------------                                                   
and the Delaware Trustee.

          "Related Party" means, with respect to the Sponsor, any direct or
           -------------                                                   
indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Sponsor or any other Person that owns,
directly or indirectly, 100% of the outstanding voting securities of the
Sponsor.

          "Responsible Officer" means, with respect to the Property Trustee, any
           -------------------                                                  
vice president, any assistant vice president, the secretary, any assistant
secretary, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer, any trust officer or
assistant trust officer or any other officer in the corporate trust department
of the Property Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those
performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect
to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is
referred because of that

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
officer's knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

          "Rule 3a-7" means Rule 3a-7 under the Investment Company Act.
           ---------                                                   

          "Securities" means the Common Securities and the Preferred Securities.
           ----------                                                           

          "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from
           --------------                                                   
time to time, or any successor legislation.

          "Securities Guarantees" means the Preferred Securities Guarantee and
           ---------------------                                              
the Common Securities Guarantee.

          "Special Event" has the meaning set forth in Annex I hereto.
           -------------                                              

          "Sponsor" means TCI Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or
           -------                                                            
any successor entity in a merger, consolidation or amalgamation, in its capacity
as sponsor of the Trust.

          "Subordinated Note Issuer" means the Sponsor in its capacity as issuer
           ------------------------                                             
of the Subordinated Notes.

          "Subordinated Note Trustee" means The Bank of New York, as trustee
           -------------------------                                        
under the Indenture until a successor is appointed thereunder, and thereafter
means such successor trustee.

          "Subordinated Notes" means the __% Subordinated Deferrable Interest
           ------------------                                                 
Notes Due ____, 20__ to be issued by the Subordinated Note Issuer under the
Indenture and held by the Property Trustee.  A specimen certificate representing
a Subordinated Note is attached hereto as Exhibit B.  The Subordinated Notes
will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to certain other indebtedness
of the Subordinated Note Issuer as set forth in the Indenture.

          "Super Majority" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(a)(ii).
           --------------                                                   

          "Tax Event" has the meaning set forth in Annex I hereto.
           ---------                                              

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
          "10% in liquidation amount of the Securities" means, except as
           -------------------------------------------                  
provided in the terms of the Preferred Securities or by the Trust Indenture Act,
Holders of outstanding Securities voting together as a single class or, as the
context may require, Holders of outstanding Preferred Securities or Holders of
outstanding Common Securities, voting separately as a class, representing
10% of the aggregate liquidation amount (including the stated amount that would
be paid on redemption, liquidation or otherwise, plus accrued and unpaid
Distributions to the date upon which the voting percentages are determined) of
all outstanding Securities of the relevant class.

          "Treasury Regulations" means the income tax regula tions, including
           --------------------                                              
temporary and proposed regulations, promulgated under the Code by the United
States Treasury, as such regulations may be amended from time to time (including
corresponding provi  sions of succeeding regulations).

          "Trustee" or "Trustees" means each Person who has signed this
           -------      --------                                       
Declaration as a trustee, so long as such Person shall continue in office in
accordance with the terms hereof, and all other Persons who may from time to
time be duly appointed, qualified and serving as Trustees in accordance with the
provisions hereof, and references herein to a Trustee or the Trustees shall
refer to such Person or Persons solely in their capacity as trustees hereunder.

          "Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
           -------------------                                           
amended to the date hereof.

          "Underwriting Agreement" means the Underwriting Agreement for the
           ----------------------                                           
offering and sale of Preferred Securities in the form of Exhibit C.


                                  ARTICLE II
                              TRUST INDENTURE ACT

 SECTION 2.1   Trust Indenture Act; Application.
               -------------------------------- 

          (a)  This Declaration is subject to the provisions of the Trust
Indenture Act that are required to be part of this

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
Declaration and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

          (b)  The Property Trustee shall be the only Trustee that is a Trustee
for the purposes of the Trust Indenture Act.

          (c)  If and to the extent that any provision of this Declaration
limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by (S)(S) 310 to 317,
inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall control.

          (d)  The application of the Trust Indenture Act to this Declaration
shall not affect the nature of the Securities as equity securities representing
undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust.

SECTION 2.2    Lists of Holders of Securities.
               ------------------------------ 

          (a)  Each of the Sponsor and the Regular Trustees on behalf of the
Trust shall provide the Property Trustee (i) within 14 days after each record
date for payment of Distributions, a list, in such form as the Property Trustee
may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of the
Securities ("List of Holders") as of such record date, provided that neither the
                                                       -------------
Sponsor nor the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust shall be obligated to
provide such List of Holders at any time the List of Holders does not differ
from the most recent List of Holders given to the Property Trustee by the
Sponsor and the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust, and (ii) at any other
time, within 30 days of receipt by the Trust of a written request therefor, a
List of Holders as of a date no more than 14 days before such List of Holders is
given to the Property Trust  ee.  The Property Trustee shall preserve, in as
current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information contained in Lists
of Holders given to it or which it receives in the capacity of Paying Agent (if
acting in such capacity); provided that the Property Trustee may destroy any
                          -------------                                     
List of Holders previously given to it on receipt of a new List of Holders.

          (b)  The Property Trustee shall comply with its obligations under
(S)(S) 311(a), 311(b) and 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
 SECTION 2.3   Reports by the Property Trustee.
               ------------------------------- 

          Within 60 days after May 15 of each year or at such other time as
required under (S) 313(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Property Trustee shall
provide to the Holders of the Preferred Securities such reports as are required
by (S) 313 of the Trust Indenture Act, if any, in the form and in the manner
provided by (S) 313 of the Trust Indenture Act. The Property Trustee shall also
comply with the requirements of (S) 313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act.

SECTION 2.4    Periodic Reports to Property Trustee.
               ------------------------------------ 

          Each of the Sponsor and the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust
shall provide to the Property Trustee such documents, reports and information
as required by (S) 314 (if any) and the compliance certificate required by (S)
314 of the Trust Indenture Act in the form, in the manner and at the times
required by (S) 314 of the Trust Indenture Act.

SECTION 2.5    Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent.
               ------------------------------------------------- 

          Each of the Sponsor and the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust
shall provide to the Property Trustee such evidence of compliance with any
conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Declaration that relate to
any of the matters set forth in (S) 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any
certificate or opinion required to be given by an officer pursuant to (S)
314(c)(1) may be given in the form of an Officers' Certificate.

SECTION 2.6    Events of Default; Waiver.
               ------------------------- 

          (a)  The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of Preferred
Securities may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Preferred
Securities, waive any past Event of Default in respect of the Preferred
Securities and its consequences, provided that, if the underlying Event of
                                 -------- ----                            
Default under the Indenture:

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
          (i)   is not waivable under the Indenture, the Event of Default under
     the Declaration shall also not be waivable; or

          (ii)  requires the consent or vote of greater than a majority in
     principal amount of the holders of the Subordinated Notes (a "Super
     Majority") to be waived under the Indenture, the Event of Default under the
     Declaration may only be waived by the vote of the Holders of at least the
     proportion in liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities outstanding
     that the relevant Super Majority represents of the aggregate principal
     amount of the Subordinated Notes outstanding.

The foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(a) shall be in lieu of (S)
316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and such (S) 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust
Indenture Act is hereby expressly excluded from this Declaration and the
Securities, as permitted by the Trust Indenture Act.  Upon such waiver, any such
default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default with respect to the
Preferred Securities arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for
every purpose of this Declaration, but no such waiver shall extend to any
subsequent or other default or Event of Default with respect to the Preferred
Securities or impair any right consequent thereon.  Any waiver by the Holders of
the Preferred Securities of an Event of Default with respect to the Preferred
Securities shall also be deemed to constitute a waiver by the Holders of the
Common Securities of any such Event of Default with respect to the Common
Securities for all purposes of this Declaration without any further act, vote,
or consent of the Holders of the Common Securities.

          (b)  The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common
Securities may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Common
Securities, waive any past Event of Default with respect to the Common
Securities and its consequences, provided that, if the underlying Event of
                                 -------------                            
Default under the Indenture:

          (i)   is not waivable under the Indenture, except where the Holders of
     the Common Securities are deemed to have waived such Event of Default under
     the Declaration as

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
     provided below in this Section 2.6(b), the Event of Default under the
     Declaration shall also not be waivable; or

          (ii)  requires the consent or vote of a Super Majority to be waived,
     except where the Holders of the Common Securities are deemed to have waived
     such Event of Default under the Declaration as provided below in this
     Section 2.6(b), the Event of Default under the Declaration may only be
     waived by the vote of the Holders of at least the proportion in liquidation
     amount of the Common Securities outstanding that the relevant Super
     Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated
     Notes outstanding;

provided further, each Holder of Common Securities will be deemed to have waived
- -------- -------                                                                
any such Event of Default and all Events of Default with respect to the Common
Securities and its consequences until all Events of Default with respect to
the Preferred Securities have been cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, and
until such Events of Default have been so cured, waived or otherwise
eliminated, the Property Trustee will be deemed to be acting solely on behalf of
the Holders of the Preferred Securities and only the Holders of the Preferred
Securities will have the right to direct the Property Trustee in accordance with
the terms of the Securities.  The foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(b)
shall be in lieu of (S)(S) 316(a)(1)(A) and 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture
Act and such (S)(S) 316(a)(1)(A) and 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act are
hereby expressly excluded from this Declaration and the Securities, as permitted
by the Trust Indenture Act.  Subject to the foregoing provisions of this
Section 2.6(b), upon such waiver, any such default shall cease to exist and any
Event of Default with respect to the Common Securities arising therefrom shall
be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Declaration, but no such
waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default with
respect to the Common Securities or impair any right consequent thereon.

          (c)  A waiver of an Event of Default under the Indenture by the
Property Trustee at the direction of the Holders of the Preferred Securities
constitutes a waiver of the corresponding Event of Default under this
Declaration. The foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(c) shall be in lieu
of (S) 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and such (S) 316(a)(1)(B) of the
Trust

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
Indenture Act is hereby expressly excluded from this Declaration and the
Securities, as permitted by the Trust Indenture Act.

SECTION 2.7    Event of Default; Notice.
               ------------------------ 

          (a)  The Property Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence
of an Event of Default, transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, to the
Holders of the Securities, notices of all defaults with respect to the
Securities known to the Property Trustee, unless such defaults have been cured
before the giving of such notice (the term "defaults" for the purposes of this
Section 2.7(a) being hereby defined to be an Event of Default as defined in the
Indenture, not including any periods of grace provided for therein and
irrespective of the giving of any notice provided therein); provided that,
                                                            -------------
except for a default in the payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or
interest on any of the Subordinated Notes, the Property Trustee shall be
protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors,
the executive committee, or a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible
Officers of the Property Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding
of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Securities.

          (b)  the Property Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any
default except:

          (i)   a default under Sections 6.01(a) and 6.01(b) of the Indenture;
     or

          (ii)  any default as to which the Property Trustee shall have received
     written notice or a Responsible Officer charged with the administration of
     the Declaration shall have obtained written notice.


                                  ARTICLE III
                                 ORGANIZATION

SECTION 3.1    Name.
               ---- 

          The Trust is named "TCI Communications Financing VI," as such name may
be modified from time to time by the Regular

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
Trustees following written notice to the Holders of the Securities.  The
Trust's activities may be conducted under the name of the Trust or any other
name deemed advisable by the Regular Trustees.

SECTION 3.2    Office.
               ------ 

          The address of the principal office of the Trust is c/o TCI
Communications, Inc., Terrace Tower II, 5619 DTC Parkway, Englewood, Colorado
80111-3000.  On ten Business Days written notice to the Holders of the
Securities, the Regular Trustees may designate another principal office.

SECTION 3.3    Purpose.
               ------- 

          The exclusive purposes and functions of the Trust are (a) to issue and
sell the Securities and use the proceeds from such sale to purchase and hold the
Subordinated Notes and the Preferred Securities Guarantee, and (b) except as
otherwise limited herein, to engage in only those other activities necessary,
or incidental thereto.  The Trust shall not borrow money, issue debt or reinvest
proceeds derived from investments, pledge any of its assets, or otherwise
undertake (or permit to be undertaken) any activity that would cause the Trust
not to be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor
trust.

SECTION 3.4    Authority.
               --------- 

          Subject to the limitations provided in this Declaration and to the
specific duties of the Property Trustee, the Regular Trustees shall have
exclusive and complete authority to carry out the purposes of the Trust.  An
action taken by the Regular Trustees in accordance with their powers shall
constitute the act of and serve to bind the Trust and an action taken by the
Property Trustee in accordance with its powers shall constitute the act of and
serve to bind the Trust.  In dealing with the Trustees acting on behalf of the
Trust, no person shall be required to inquire into the authority of the Trustees
to bind the Trust. Persons dealing with the Trust are entitled to rely
conclusively on the power and authority of the Trustees as set forth in this
Declaration.

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 3.5    Title to Property of the Trust.
               ------------------------------ 

          Except as provided in Section 3.8 with respect to the Subordinated
Notes and the Property Trustee Account or as otherwise provided in this
Declaration, legal title to all assets of the Trust shall be vested in the
Trust. The Holders shall not have legal title to any part of the assets of the
Trust, but shall have an undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the
Trust.

SECTION 3.6    Powers and Duties of the Regular Trustees.
               ----------------------------------------- 

          The Regular Trustees shall have the exclusive power, duty and
authority to cause the Trust to engage in the following activities:

          (a)  to issue and sell the Preferred Securities and the Common
Securities in accordance with this Declaration; provided, however, that the
Trust may issue no more than one series of Preferred Securities and no more than
one series of Common Securities, and, provided further, that there shall be no
                                      -------- -------
interests in the Trust other than the Securities, and the issuance of
Securities shall be limited to a one-time, simultaneous issuance of both
Preferred Securities and Common Securities on the Closing Date;

          (b)  in connection with the issue and sale of the Preferred
Securities, at the direction of the Sponsor, to:

          (i)    execute and file with the Commission the registration statement
     on Form S-3 prepared by the Sponsor, including any amendments thereto,
     pertaining to the Preferred Securities;

          (ii)   execute and file any documents prepared by the Sponsor, or take
     any acts as determined by the Sponsor to be necessary in order to qualify
     or register all or part of the Preferred Securities in any State in which
     the Sponsor has determined to qualify or register such Preferred Securities
     for sale;

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
          (iii)  execute and file an application, prepared by the Sponsor, to
     the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. or any other national stock exchange or
     the Nasdaq Stock Market's National Market for listing upon notice of
     issuance of any Preferred Securities;

          (iv)   execute and file with the Commission a registration statement
     on Form 8-A, including any amendments thereto, prepared by the Sponsor,
     relating to the registration of the Preferred Securities under Section
     12(b) of the Exchange Act; and

          (v)    execute and enter into the Underwriting Agree ment and Pricing
     Agreement providing for the sale of the Preferred Securities;

          (c)  to acquire the Subordinated Notes and the Pre ferred Securities
Guarantee with the proceeds of the sale of the Preferred Securities and the
Common Securities; provided, however, that the Regular Trustees shall cause
                   --------  -------                                       
legal title to the Subordinated Notes to be held of record in the name of the
Property Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Preferred Securities and
the Holders of the Common Securities;

          (d)  to give the Sponsor and the Property Trustee prompt written
notice of the occurrence of a Special Event; provided that the Regular Trustees
                                             -------- ----
shall consult with the Sponsor and the Property Trustee before taking or
refraining from taking any Ministerial Action in relation to a Special Event;

          (e)  to establish a record date with respect to all actions to be
taken hereunder that require a record date be established, including and with
respect to, for the purposes of (S)316(c) of the Trust Indenture Act,
Distributions, voting rights, redemptions and exchanges, and to issue relevant
notices to the Holders of Preferred Securities and Holders of Common Securities
as to such actions and applicable record dates;

          (f)  to take all actions and perform such duties as may be required of
the Regular Trustees pursuant to the terms of the Securities;

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
          (g)  to bring or defend, pay, collect, compromise, arbitrate, resort
to legal action, or otherwise adjust claims or demands of or against the Trust
("Legal Action"), unless pursuant to Section 3.8(e), the Property Trustee has
the exclusive power to bring such Legal Action;

          (h)  to employ or otherwise engage employees and agents (who may be
designated as officers with titles) and managers, contractors, advisors, and
consultants and pay reasonable compensation for such services;

          (i)  to cause the Trust to comply with the Trust's obligations under
the Trust Indenture Act;

          (j)  to give the certificate required by (S) 314(a)(4) of the Trust
Indenture Act to the Property Trustee, which certificate may be executed by
any Regular Trustee;

          (k)  to incur expenses that are necessary or incidental to carry out
any of the purposes of the Trust;

          (l)  to act as, or appoint another Person to act as, registrar and
transfer agent for the Securities;

          (m)  to give prompt written notice to the Holders of the Securities of
any notice received from the Subordinated Note Issuer of its election to defer
payments of interest on the Subordinated Notes by extending the interest payment
period under the Indenture;

          (n)  to execute all documents or instruments, perform all duties and
powers, and do all things for and on behalf of the Trust in all matters
necessary or incidental to the foregoing;

          (o)  to take all action that may be necessary or appropriate for the
preservation and the continuation of the Trust's valid existence, rights,
franchises and privileges as a statutory business trust under the laws of the
State of Delaware and of each other jurisdiction in which such existence is
neces  sary to protect the limited liability of the Holders of the Preferred
Securities or to enable the Trust to effect the purpos  es for which the Trust
was created;

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
          (p)  to take any action, not inconsistent with this Declaration or
with applicable law, that the Regular Trustees determine in their discretion to
be necessary or desirable in carrying out the activities of the Trust as set out
in this Section 3.6, including, but not limited to:

          (i)    causing the Trust not to be deemed to be an Investment Company
     required to be registered under the Invest ment Company Act;

          (ii)   causing the Trust to be classified for United States federal
     income tax purposes as a grantor trust; and

          (iii)  cooperating with the Subordinated Note Issuer to ensure that
     the Subordinated Notes will be treated as in debtedness of the Subordinated
     Note Issuer for United States federal income tax purposes,

     provided that such action does not adversely affect the interests of
     -------- ----
     Holders; and

          (q)  to take all action necessary to cause all appli cable tax returns
and tax information reports that are required to be filed with respect to the
Trust to be duly prepared and filed by the Regular Trustees, on behalf of the
Trust.

          The Regular Trustees must exercise the powers set forth in this
Section 3.6 in a manner that is consistent with the purposes and functions of
the Trust set out in Section 3.3, and the Regular Trustees shall not take any
action that is inconsistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set
forth in Section 3.3.

          Subject to this Section 3.6, the Regular Trustees shall have none of
the powers or the authority of the Property Trustee set forth in Section 3.8.

 SECTION 3.7   Prohibition of Actions by the Trust and the Trustees.
               ---------------------------------------------------- 

          (a)  The Trust shall not, and the Trustees (including the Property
Trustee) shall not, engage in any activity other

                                       20
<PAGE>
 
than as required or authorized by this Declaration.  In particular, the Trust
shall not and the Trustees (including the Property Trustee) shall cause the
Trust not to:

          (i)     invest any proceeds received by the Trust from holding the
     Subordinated Notes or the Preferred Securities Guarantee, but shall
     distribute all such proceeds to Holders of Securities pursuant to the terms
     of this Declaration and of the Securities;

          (ii)    acquire any assets other than as expressly pro vided herein;

          (iii)   possess Trust property for other than a Trust purpose;

          (iv)    make any loans or incur any indebtedness other than loans
     represented by the Subordinated Notes;

          (v)     possess any power or otherwise act in such a way as to vary 
     the Trust assets or the terms of the Securities in any way whatsoever;

          (vi)    issue any securities or other evidences of bene ficial
     ownership of, or beneficial interest in, the Trust other than the
     Securities; or

          (vii)   other than as provided in this Declaration, (A) direct the
     time, method and place of exercising any trust or power conferred upon the
     Subordinated Note Trustee with respect to the Subordinated Notes, (B) waive
     any past default that is waivable under Section 6.04 of the Indenture, (C)
     exercise any right to rescind or annul any declaration that the principal
     of all the Subordinated Notes shall be due and payable, or (D) consent to
     any amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture or the
     Subordinated Notes where such consent shall be required unless the Trust
     shall have received an opinion of counsel to the effect that such
     modification will not cause more than an insubstantial risk that for United
     States federal income tax purposes the Trust will not be classified as a
     grantor trust.

                                       21
<PAGE>
 
 SECTION 3.8   Powers and Duties of the Property Trustee.
               ----------------------------------------- 

          (a)  The legal title to the Subordinated Notes shall be owned by and
held of record in the name of the Property Trustee in trust for the benefit of
the Holders of the Securities. The right, title and interest of the Property
Trustee to the Subordinated Notes shall vest automatically in each Person who
may hereafter be appointed as Property Trustee in accordance with Section 5.6.
Such vesting (and cessation as to the resigning Property Trustee) of title
shall be effective whether or not conveyancing documents with regard to the
Subordinated Notes have been executed and delivered.

          (b)  The Property Trustee shall not transfer its right, title and
interest in the Subordinated Notes to the Regular Trustees or to the Delaware
Trustee (if the Property Trustee does not also act as Delaware Trustee).

          (c)  The Property Trustee shall:

          (i)     establish and maintain a segregated non-interest bearing trust
account (the "Property Trustee Account") in the name of and under the exclusive
control of the Property Trustee on behalf of the Holders of the Securities and,
upon the receipt of payments of funds made in respect of the Subordinated Notes
held by the Property Trustee, deposit such funds into the Property Trustee
Account and make payments to the Holders of the Preferred Securities and Holders
of the Common Securities from the Property Trustee Account in accordance with
Section 6.1. Funds in the Property Trustee Account shall be held uninvested
until disbursed in accordance with this Declaration. The Property Trustee
Account shall be an account that is maintained with a banking insti tution the
rating on whose long-term unsecured indebtedness is at least equal to the rating
assigned to the Preferred Securities by a "nationally recognized statistical
rating organization", as that term is defined for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2)
under the Securities Act;

          (ii)    engage in such ministerial activities as shall be necessary or
appropriate to effect the redemption of the

                                       22
<PAGE>
 
Preferred Securities and the Common Securities to the extent the Subordinated
Notes are redeemed or mature; and

          (iii)   upon notice of distribution issued by the Regular Trustees in
     accordance with the terms of the Securities, engage in such ministerial
     activities as shall be necessary or appropriate to effect the distribution
     of the Subordinated Notes to Holders of Securities upon the occurrence of
     certain special events (as may be defined in the terms of the Securities)
     arising from a change in law or a change in legal interpretation or other
     specified circumstances pursuant to the terms of the Securities.

          (d)  The Property Trustee shall take all actions and perform such
duties as may be specifically required of the Property Trustee pursuant to the
terms of the Securities.

          (e)  The Property Trustee shall take any Legal Action which arises out
of or in connection with an Event of Default or the Property Trustee's duties
and obligations under this Declaration or the Trust Indenture Act.

          (f)  The Property Trustee shall not resign as a Trustee unless either:

          (i)     the Trust has been completely liquidated and the proceeds of
     the liquidation distributed to the Holders of Securities pursuant to the
     terms of the Securities; or

          (ii)    a successor Property Trustee has been appointed and has
     accepted that appointment in accordance with Section 5.6.

          (g)  The Property Trustee shall have the legal power to exercise all
of the rights, powers and privileges of a holder of Subordinated Notes under the
Indenture and, if an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Property
Trustee shall, for the benefit of Holders of the Securities, enforce its rights
as holder of the Subordinated Notes subject to the rights of the Holders
pursuant to the terms of such Securities.

                                       23
<PAGE>
 
          (h)  The Property Trustee may authorize one or more Persons (each, a
"Paying Agent") to pay Distributions, redemption payments or liquidation
payments on behalf of the Trust with respect to all Securities and any such
Paying Agent shall comply with (S) 317(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.  Any
Paying Agent may be removed by the Property Trustee at any time and a successor
Paying Agent or additional Paying Agents may be appointed at any time by the
Property Trustee.

          (i)  Subject to this Section 3.8, the Property Trustee shall have
none of the duties, liabilities, powers or the authority of the Regular Trustees
set forth in Section 3.6.

          The Property Trustee must exercise the powers set forth in this
Section 3.8 in a manner that is consistent with the purposes and functions of
the Trust set out in Section 3.3, and the Property Trustee shall not take any
action that is inconsistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set out
in Section 3.3.

 SECTION 3.9   Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the Property Trustee.
               ----------------------------------------------------------- 

          (a)  The Property Trustee, before the occurrence of any Event of
Default and after the curing of all Events of Default that may have occurred,
shall undertake to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in
this Declaration and no implied covenants shall be read into this Declaration
against the Property Trustee. In case an Event of Default has occurred (that has
not been cured or waived pursuant to Section 2.6), the Property Trustee shall
exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Declaration, and use
the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would
exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own
affairs.

          (b)  No provision of this Declaration shall be construed to relieve
the Property Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own
negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

                                       24
<PAGE>
 
          (i)  prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the
     curing or waiving of all such Events of Default that may have occurred:

               (A)  the duties and obligations of the Property Trustee shall be
          determined solely by the express provisions of this Declaration and
          the Property Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of
          such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this
          Declaration, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read
          into this Declaration against the Property Trustee; and

               (B)  in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Property
          Trustee, the Property Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth
          of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed
          therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Property
          Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Declaration; but in
          the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provision
          hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Property
          Trustee, the Property Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the
          same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of
          this Declaration;

          (ii)    the Property Trustee shall not be liable for any error of
     judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Property
     Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Property Trustee was negligent
     in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

          (iii)   the Property Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any
     action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with
     the direction of the Holders of not less than a Majority in liquidation
     amount of the Securities relating to the time, method and place of 
     conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Property
     Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Property
     Trustee under this Declaration;

                                       25
<PAGE>
 
          (iv)    no provision of this Declaration shall require the Property
     Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal
     financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the
     exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable
     grounds for believing that the repayment of such funds or liability is not
     reasonably assured to it under the terms of this Declaration or adequate
     indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it;

          (v)     the Property Trustee's sole duty with respect to the custody,
     safe keeping and physical preservation of the Subordinated Notes and the
     Property Trustee Account shall be to deal with such property in a similar
     manner as the Property Trustee deals with similar property for its own 
     account, subject to the protections and limitations on liability afforded
     to the Property Trustee under this Declaration, the Trust Indenture Act
     and Rule 3a-7;

          (vi)    the Property Trustee shall have no duty or liability for or
     with respect to the value, genuineness, existence or sufficiency of the
     Subordinated Notes or the payment of any taxes or assessments levied
     thereon or in con nection therewith;

          (vii)   the Property Trustee shall not be liable for any interest on
     any money received by it except as it may otherwise agree in writing with
     the Sponsor. Money held by the Property Trustee need not be segregated from
     other funds held by it except in relation to the Property Trustee Account
     maintained by the Property Trustee pursuant to Section 3.8(c)(i) and except
     to the extent otherwise required by law; and

          (viii)  the Property Trustee shall not be responsible for monitoring
     the compliance by the Regular Trustees or the Sponsor with their respective
     duties under this Declaration, nor shall the Property Trustee be liable for
     the default or misconduct of the Regular Trustees or the Sponsor.

                                       26
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 3.10      Certain Rights of the Property Trustee.
                  -------------------------------------- 

          (a)     Subject to the provisions of Section 3.9:

          (i)     the Property Trustee may rely and shall be fully protected in
     acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate,
     statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction,
     consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or
     other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been
     signed, sent or presented by the proper party or parties;

          (ii)    any direction or act of the Sponsor or the Regular Trustees
     contemplated by this Declaration shall be sufficiently evidenced by a
     Direction or an Officers' Certificate;

          (iii)   whenever in the administration of this Declaration, the
     Property Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or
     established before taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the
     Property Trustee (unless other evidence is herein specifically prescribed)
     may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, request and rely upon an
     Officers' Certificate which, upon receipt of such request, shall be
     promptly delivered by the Sponsor or the Regular Trustees;

          (iv)    the Property Trustee shall have no duty to see to any
     recording, filing or registration of any instrument (including any
     financing or continuation statement or any filing under tax or securities
     laws) or any rerecording, refiling or reregistration thereof;

          (v)     the Property Trustee may consult with counsel or other experts
     of its selection and the advice or opinion of such counsel and experts with
     respect to legal matters or advice within the scope of such experts' area
     of expertise shall be full and complete authorization and protection in
     respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good
     faith and in accordance with such advice or opinion. Such counsel may be
     counsel to the Sponsor or any of its Affiliates, and may include any of the
     Sponsor's or

                                       27
<PAGE>
 
     its Affiliates' employees. The Property Trustee shall have the right at any
     time to seek instructions concerning the administration of this Declaration
     from any court of competent jurisdiction;

          (vi)    the Property Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise
     any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Declaration at the request
     or direction of any Holder, unless such Holder shall have provided to the
     Property Trustee adequate security and indemnity, which would satisfy a
     reasonable person in the position of the Property Trustee, against the
     costs, expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses) and liabilities
     that might be incurred by it in complying with such request or direction,
     including such reasonable advances as may be requested by the Property
     Trustee provided, that, nothing contained in this Section 3.10(a)(vi) shall
     be taken to relieve the Property Trustee, upon the occurrence of an Event
     of Default, of its obligation to exercise the rights and powers vested in
     it by this Declaration;

          (vii)   the Property Trustee shall not be bound to make any
     investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution,
     certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request,
     direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of
     indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Property Trustee, in its
     discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts
     or matters as it may see fit;

          (viii)  the Property Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers
     hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through
     agents or attorneys and the Property Trustee shall not be responsible for
     any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed
     with due care by it hereunder;

          (ix)    any action taken by the Property Trustee or its agents
     hereunder shall bind the Trust and the Holders, and the signature of the
     Property Trustee or its agents alone shall be sufficient and effective to
     perform any such action and no third party shall be required to inquire as
     to the

                                       28
<PAGE>
 
     authority of the Property Trustee to so act or as to its compliance with
     any of the terms and provisions of this Declaration, both of which shall be
     conclusively evidenced by the Property Trustee's or its agent's taking such
     action;

          (x)     whenever in the administration of this Declaration the
     Property Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive instructions with
     respect to enforcing any remedy or right or taking any other action
     hereunder, the Property Trustee (i) may request instructions from the
     Holders of the Securities which instructions may only be given by the
     Holders of the same proportion in liquidation amount of the Securities as
     would be entitled to direct the Property Trustee under the terms of the
     Securities in respect of such remedy, right or action, (ii) may refrain
     from enforcing such remedy or right or taking such other action until such
     instructions are received, and (iii) shall be protected in acting in
     accordance with such instructions; and

          (xi)    except as otherwise expressly provided by this Declaration,
     the Property Trustee shall not be under any obligation to take any action
     that is discretionary under the provisions of this Declaration.

          (b)  No provision of this Declaration shall be deemed to impose any
duty or obligation on the Property Trustee to perform any act or acts or
exercise any right, power, duty or obligation conferred or imposed on it, in any
jurisdiction in which it shall be illegal, or in which the Property Trustee
shall be unqualified or incompetent in accordance with applicable law, to
perform any such act or acts, or to exercise any such right, power, duty or
obligation. No permissive power or authority available to the Property Trustee
shall be construed to be a duty.

SECTION 3.11      Delaware Trustee.
                  ---------------- 

          Notwithstanding any other provision of this Declaration other than
Section 5.2, the Delaware Trustee shall not be entitled to exercise any powers,
nor shall the Delaware Trustee have any of the duties and responsibilities, of
the Regular Trustees or the Property Trustee described in this Declaration.
Except as

                                       29
<PAGE>
 
set forth in Section 5.2, the Delaware Trustee shall be a Trustee for the sole
and limited purpose of fulfilling the requirements of (S) 3807 of the Business
Trust Act.

SECTION 3.12      Execution of Documents.
                  ---------------------- 

          Unless otherwise determined by the Regular Trustees, and except as
otherwise required by the Business Trust Act, a majority of or, if there are
only two, any Regular Trustee or, if there is only one, such Regular Trustee is
authorized to execute on behalf of the Trust any documents that the Regular
Trustees have the power and authority to execute pursuant to Section 3.6;
provided that, the registration statement referred to in Section 3.6(b)(i),
- -------- ----                                                              
including any amendments thereto, shall be signed by all of the Regular
Trustees.

SECTION 3.13      Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.
                  ------------------------------------------------------ 

          The recitals contained in this Declaration and the Securities shall be
taken as the statements of the Sponsor, and the Trustees do not assume any
responsibility for their correctness.  The Trustees make no representations as
to the value or condition of the property of the Trust or any part thereof.  The
Trustees make no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this
Declaration or the Securities.

SECTION 3.14      Duration of Trust.
                  ----------------- 

          The Trust, unless terminated pursuant to the provisions of Article
VIII hereof, shall have existence for fifty-five (55) years from the Closing
Date.

SECTION 3.15      Mergers.
                  ------- 

          (a)     The Trust may not consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into,
or be replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets
substantially as an entirety to any corporation or other body, except as
described in Section 3.15(b) and (c).

                                       30
<PAGE>
 
          (b)     The Trust may, with the consent of the Regular Trustees or, if
there are more than two, a majority of the Regular Trustees and without the
consent of the Holders, the Delaware Trustee or the Property Trustee,
consolidate, amalgam ate, merge with or into, or be replaced by a trust
organized as such under the laws of any State; provided that:
                                               -------- ----
           (i)    such successor entity (the "Successor Entity") either:

                  (A)   expressly assumes all of the obligations of the Trust
          under the Securities; or

                  (B)   substitutes for the Securities other securities having
          substantially the same terms as the Preferred Securities (the
          "Successor Securities") so long as the Successor Securities rank the
          same as the Preferred Securities rank with respect to Distributions
          and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise;

          (ii)    the Subordinated Note Issuer expressly acknowledges a trustee
     of the Successor Entity that possesses the same powers and duties as the
     Property Trustee as the Holder of the Subordinated Notes;

          (iii)   the Preferred Securities or any Successor Secu rities are
     listed, or any Successor Securities will be listed upon notification of iss
     uance, on any national securities exchange or with an other organization on
     which the Preferred Securities are then listed or quoted;

          (iv)    such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement does
     not cause the Preferred Securities (including any Successor Securities) to
     be downgraded by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization;

          (v)     such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement does
     not adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the Holders
     of the Securities (including any Successor Securities) in any material
     respect (other than with respect to any dilution of such Holders'

                                       31
<PAGE>
 
     interests in the Preferred Securities as a result of such merger,
     consolidation, amalgamation or replacement);

          (vi)    such Successor Entity has a purpose identical to that of the
     Trust;

          (vii)   prior to such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or
     replacement, the Sponsor has received an opinion of a nationally recognized
     independent counsel to the Trust experienced in such matters to the effect
     that:

                  (A)  such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement
          does not adversely affect the rights, pref erences and privileges of
          the Holders of the Securities (including any Successor Securities) in
          any material respect (other than with respect to any dilution of the
          Holders' interest in the new entity); and

                  (B)  following such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or
          replacement, neither the Trust nor the Successor Entity will be
          required to register as an Investment Company; and

          (viii)  the Sponsor guarantees the obligations of such Successor
     Entity under the Successor Securities at least to the extent provided by
     the Preferred Securities Guarantee.

          (c)  Notwithstanding Section 3.15(b), the Trust shall not, except with
the consent of Holders of 100% in liquidation amount of the Securities,
consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by any other entity
or permit any other entity to consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or
replace it if such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or replacement would
cause the Trust or Successor Entity to be classified as other than a grantor
trust for United States federal income tax purposes.

                                       32
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE IV
                                    SPONSOR

SECTION 4.1    Sponsor's Purchase of Common Securities.
               --------------------------------------- 

          On the Closing Date the Sponsor will purchase all of the Common
Securities issued by the Trust, in an amount equal to 3% of the capital of the
Trust, at the same time as the Preferred Securities are sold.

SECTION 4.2    Responsibilities of the Sponsor.
               ------------------------------- 

          In connection with the issue and sale of the Preferred Securities, the
Sponsor shall have the exclusive right and responsibility to engage in the
following activities:

          (a)  to prepare for filing by the Trust with the Commission a
     registration statement on Form S-3 in relation to the Preferred Securities,
     including any amendments thereto;

          (b)  to determine the States in which to take appropriate action to
     qualify or register for sale all or part of the Preferred Securities and to
     do any and all such acts, other than actions which must be taken by the
     Trust, and advise the Trust of actions it must take, and prepare for
     execution and filing any documents to be executed and filed by the Trust,
     as the Sponsor deems necessary or advisable in order to comply with the
     applicable laws of any such States;

          (c)  to prepare for filing by the Trust an application to the New York
     Stock Exchange or any other national stock exchange or the Nasdaq National
     Market for listing upon notice of issuance of any Preferred Securities;

          (d)  to prepare for filing by the Trust with the Commission a
     registration statement on Form 8-A relating to the registration of the
     Preferred Securities under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, including any
     amendments thereto; and

          (e)  to negotiate the terms of the Underwriting Agreement and Pricing
     Agreement providing for the sale of the Preferred Securities.

                                       33
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 4.3    Expenses.
               -------- 

          (a)  The Sponsor shall be responsible for and shall pay for all debts
     and obligations (other than with respect to the Securities) and all costs
     and expenses of the Trust (including, but not limited to, costs and
     expenses relating to the organization of the Trust, the issuance and sale
     of the Preferred Securities, the fees and expenses (including reasonable
     counsel fees and expenses) of the Trustees, the costs and expenses of
     accountants, attorneys, statistical or bookkeeping services, expenses for
     printing and engraving and computing or accounting equipment, Paying
     Agent(s), registrar(s), transfer agent(s), duplication, travel and
     telephone and other telecommunications expenses and costs and expenses
     incurred in connection with the disposition of Trust assets).

          (b)  The Sponsor will pay any and all taxes (other than United States
     withholding taxes attributable to the Trust or its assets) and all
     liabilities, costs and expenses with respect to such taxes of the Trust.

          (c)  The Sponsor's obligations under this Section 4.3 shall be for the
     benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, the Property Trustee and any
     Person to whom any such debts, obligations, costs, expenses and taxes are
     owed (a "Creditor") whether or not such Creditor has received notice
     hereof. The Property Trustee and any such Creditor may enforce the
     Sponsor's obligations under this Section 4.3 directly against the Sponsor
     and the Sponsor irrevocably waives any right or remedy to require that the
     Property Trustee or any such Creditor take any action against the Trust or
     any other Person before proceeding against the Sponsor. The Sponsor agrees
     to execute such additional agreements as may be necessary or desirable in
     order to give full effect to the provisions of this Section 4.3.

                                       34
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE V
                                   TRUSTEES

SECTION 5.1    Number of Trustees.
               ------------------ 

          The number of Trustees initially shall be five (5), and:

          (a)  at any time before the issuance of any Securities, the Sponsor
     may, by written instrument, increase or decrease the number of Trustees;
     and

          (b)  after the issuance of any Securities, the number of Trustees may
     be increased or decreased by vote of the Holders of a majority in
     liquidation amount of the Common Securities voting as a class at a meeting
     of the Holders of the Common Securities,

provided that, if the Property Trustee does not also act as Delaware Trustee,
- -------- ----
the number of Trustees shall be at least three (3) .

SECTION 5.2    Delaware Trustee.
               ---------------- 

          If required by the Business Trust Act, one Trustee (the "Delaware
Trustee") shall be:

          (a)  a natural person who is a resident of the State of Delaware; or

          (b)  if not a natural person, an entity which has its principal place
     of business in the State of Delaware, and otherwise meets the requirements
     of applicable law,

provided that, if the Property Trustee has its principal place of business in
- -------- ----                                                                
the State of Delaware and otherwise meets the re  quirements of applicable law,
then the Property Trustee shall also be the Delaware Trustee and Section 3.11
shall have no application.  The Delaware Trustee may be an Affiliate of the
Property Trustee.

SECTION 5.3    Property Trustee; Eligibility.
               ----------------------------- 

                                       35
<PAGE>
 
          (a)    There shall at all times be one Trustee which shall act as
Property Trustee which shall:

          (i)    not be an Affiliate of the Sponsor;

          (ii)   be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of
     the United States of America or any State or Territory thereof or of the
     District of Columbia, or a corporation or Person permitted by the
     Commission to act as an institutional trustee under the Trust Indenture
     Act, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having
     a combined capital and surplus of at least 50 million U.S. dollars
     ($50,000,000), and subject to supervision or examination by federal,
     State, Territorial or District of Columbia authority. If such corporation
     publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to
     the requirements of the supervising or examining authority referred to
     above, then for the purposes of this Section 5.3(a)(ii), the combined
     capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined
     capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so
     published; and

          (iii)  if the Trust is excluded from the definition of an Investment
     Company solely by means of Rule 3a-7 and to the extent Rule 3a-7 requires a
     trustee having certain qualifications to hold title to the "eligible
     assets" of the Trust, the Property Trustee shall possess those
     qualifications.

          (b)    If at any time the Property Trustee shall cease to be eligible
to so act under Section 5.3(a), the Property Trustee shall immediately resign in
the manner and with the effect set forth in Section 5.6(c).

          (c)    If the Property Trustee has or shall acquire any "conflicting
interest" within the meaning of (S) 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the
Property Trustee and the Holder of the Common Securities (as if it were the
obligor referred to in (S) 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act) shall in all
respects comply with the provisions of (S) 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

                                       36
<PAGE>
 
          (d)    The Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be deemed to be
specifically described in this Declaration for purposes of clause (i) of the
first provision contained in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

SECTION 5.4      Qualifications of Regular Trustees and Delaware Trustee
                 -------------------------------------------------------
                 Generally.
                 ---------

          Each Regular Trustee and the Delaware Trustee (unless the Property
Trustee also acts as Delaware Trustee) shall be either a natural person who is
at least 21 years of age or a legal entity that shall act through one or more
Authorized Officers.

SECTION 5.5      Initial Trustees.
                 ---------------- 

          The initial Regular Trustees shall be:

                 Bernard W. Schotters

                 Stephen M. Brett
                 [___________________________]

          The initial Delaware Trustee shall be:

                 The Bank of New York (Delaware)

          The initial Property Trustee shall be:

                 The Bank of New York

SECTION 5.6      Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Trustees.
                 ------------------------------------------------ 

          (a)    Subject to Section 5.6(b), Trustees may be
appointed or removed without cause at any time:

          (i)    until the issuance of any Securities, by written instrument
     executed by the Sponsor; and

         (ii)    after the issuance of any Securities, by vote of the Holders of
     a Majority in liquidation amount of the Com-

                                       37
<PAGE>
 
     mon Securities voting as a class at a meeting of the Holders of the Common
     Securities or by unanimous written consent.

          (b)(i) The Trustee that acts as Property Trustee shall not be removed
in accordance with Section 5.6(a) until a successor Property Trustee has been
appointed and has accepted such appointment by written instrument executed by
such successor Property Trustee and delivered to the Regular Trustees and the
Sponsor; and

          (ii)   the Trustee that acts as Delaware Trustee shall not be removed
     in accordance with this Section 5.6(a) until a successor Trustee possessing
     the qualifications to act as Delaware Trustee under Sections 5.2 and 5.4 (a
     "Successor Delaware Trustee") has been appointed and has accepted such
     appointment by written instrument executed by such Successor Delaware
     Trustee and delivered to the Regular Trustees and the Sponsor.

          (c)    A Trustee appointed to office shall hold office until his
successor shall have been appointed or until his death, removal or resignation.
Any Trustee may resign from office (without need for prior or subsequent
accounting) by an instrument in writing signed by the Trustee and delivered to
the Sponsor and the Trust, which resignation shall take effect upon such
delivery or upon such later date as is specified therein; provided, however,
                                                          --------  -------
that:

          (i)    No such resignation of the Trustee that acts as the Property
     Trustee shall be effective:

                 (A)    until a Successor Property Trustee has been appointed
          and has accepted such appointment by instrument executed by such
          Successor Property Trustee and delivered to the Trust, the Sponsor and
          the resigning Property Trustee; or

                 (B)    if the Trust is deemed not to be an Investment Company
          solely by reason of Rule 3a-7, until the assets of the Trust have been
          completely liquidated and the proceeds thereof distributed to the
          holders of the Securities; and

                                       38
<PAGE>
 
          (ii)   no such resignation of the Trustee that acts as the Delaware
     Trustee shall be effective until a Successor Delaware Trustee has been
     appointed and has accepted such appointment by instrument executed by such
     Successor Delaware Trustee and delivered to the Trust, the Sponsor and the
     resigning Delaware Trustee.

          (d)    The Holders of the Common Securities shall use their best
efforts to promptly appoint a Successor Property Trustee or Successor Delaware
Trustee, as the case may be, if the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee
delivers an instrument of resignation in accordance with this Section 5.6.

          (e)    If no Successor Property Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee
shall have been appointed and accepted appointment as provided in this Section
5.6 within 60 days after delivery to the Sponsor and the Trust of an instrument
of resignation, the resigning Property Trustee or Delaware Trustee, as
applicable, may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for appointment of
a Successor Property Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee. Such court may
thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and
prescribe, appoint a Successor Property Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee,
as the case may be.

SECTION 5.7      Vacancies among Trustees.
                 ------------------------ 

          If a Trustee ceases to hold office for any reason and the number of
Trustees is not reduced pursuant to Section 5.1, or if the number of Trustees is
increased pursuant to Section 5.1, a vacancy shall occur. A resolution
certifying the existence of such vacancy by the Regular Trustees or, if there
are more than two, a majority of the Regular Trustees shall be conclusive 
evidence of the existence of such vacancy. The vacancy shall be filled with a
Trustee appointed in accordance with Section 5.6.

SECTION 5.8      Effect of Vacancies.
                 ------------------- 

          The death, resignation, retirement, removal, bankruptcy, dissolution,
liquidation, incompetence or incapacity to perform the duties of a Trustee shall
not operate to annul the Trust. Whenever a vacancy in the number of Regular
Trustees

                                       39
<PAGE>
 
shall occur, until such vacancy is filled by the appointment of a Regular
Trustee in accordance with Section 5.6, the Regular Trustees in office,
regardless of their number, shall have all the powers granted to the Regular
Trustees and shall discharge all the duties imposed upon the Regular Trustees by
this Declaration.

SECTION 5.9      Meetings.
                 -------- 

          If there is more than one Regular Trustee, meetings of the Regular
Trustees shall be held from time to time upon the call of any Regular Trustee.
Regular meetings of the Regular Trustees may be held at a time and place fixed
by resolution of the Regular Trustees. Notice of any in-person meetings of the
Regular Trustees shall be hand delivered or otherwise delivered in writing
(including by facsimile, with a hard copy by overnight courier) not less than 48
hours before such meeting. Notice of any telephonic meetings of the Regular
Trustees or any committee thereof shall be hand delivered or otherwise delivered
in writing (including by facsimile, with a hard copy by overnight courier) not
less than 24 hours before such meeting. Notices shall contain a brief statement
of the time, place and anticipated purposes of the meeting. The presence
(whether in person or by telephone) of a Regular Trustee at a meeting shall
constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting except where a Regular Trustee
attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any
activity on the ground that the meeting has not been lawfully called or
convened. Unless provided otherwise in this Declaration, any action of the
Regular Trustees may be taken at a meeting by vote of a majority of the Regular
Trustees present (whether in person or by telephone) and eligible to vote with
respect to such matter, provided that a Quorum is present, or without a meeting
by the unanimous written consent of the Regular Trustees. In the event there is
only one Regular Trustee, any and all action of such Regular Trustee shall be
evidenced by a written consent of such Regular Trustee.

SECTION 5.10     Delegation of Power.
                 ------------------- 

          (a)    Any Regular Trustee may, by power of attorney consistent with
applicable law, delegate to any other natural person over the age of 21 his or
her power for the purpose of

                                       40
<PAGE>
 
executing any documents contemplated in Section 3.6, including any registration
statement or amendment thereto filed with the Commission, or making any other
governmental filing; and

          (b)    the Regular Trustees shall have power to delegate from time to
time to such of their number or to officers of the Trust the doing of such
things and the execution of such instruments either in the name of the Trust or
the names of the Regular Trustees or otherwise as the Regular Trustees may deem
expedient, to the extent such delegation is not prohibited by applicable law or
contrary to the provisions of the Trust, as set forth herein.


                                  ARTICLE VI
                                 DISTRIBUTIONS

SECTION 6.1      Distributions.
                 ------------- 

          Holders shall receive Distributions (as defined herein) in accordance
with the applicable terms of the relevant Holder's Securities. Distributions
shall be made on the Preferred Securities and the Common Securities in
accordance with the preferences set forth in their respective terms. If and to
the extent that the Subordinated Note Issuer makes a payment of interest 
(including Additional Interest (as defined in the Indenture)), premium and/or
principal on the Subordinated Notes held by the Property Trustee (the amount of
any such payment being a "Payment Amount"), the Property Trustee shall and is
directed, to the extent funds are available for that purpose, to make a
distribution (a "Distribution") of the Payment Amount to Holders.


                                  ARTICLE VII
                            ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES

SECTION 7.1      General Provisions Regarding Securities.
                 --------------------------------------- 

          (a)    The Regular Trustees shall on behalf of the Trust issue one
class of preferred securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the
assets of the Trust having such terms as are set forth in Annex I (the
"Preferred Securi-

                                       41
<PAGE>
 
ties) and one class of common securities representing undivided beneficial
interests in the assets of the Trust having such terms as are set forth in Annex
I (the "Common Securities.") The Trust shall not issue any securities or other
interests in respect of the assets of the Trust other than the Preferred
Securities and the Common Securities.

          (b)    The Certificates shall be signed on behalf of the Trust by a
Regular Trustee. Such signature shall be the manual or facsimile signature of
any present or any future Regular Trustee. In case any Regular Trustee of the
Trust who shall have signed any of the Certificates shall cease to be such
Regular Trustee before the Certificates so signed shall be delivered by the
Trust, such Certificates nevertheless may be delivered as though the person who
signed such Certificates had not ceased to be such Regular Trustee; and any
Certificate may be signed on behalf of the Trust by such persons who, at the
actual date of execution of such Certificate, shall be the Regular Trustees of
the Trust, although at the date of the execution and delivery of the Declaration
any such person was not such a Regular Trustee. Certificates shall be printed,
lithographed or engraved or may be produced in any other manner as is reasonably
acceptable to the Regular Trustees, as evidenced by their execution thereof,
and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or
designation and such legends or endorsements as the Regular Trustees may deem
appropriate, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or
regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock
exchange on which Securities may be listed, or to conform to usage. 

          (c)    The consideration received by the Trust for the issuance of
the Securities shall constitute a contribution to the capital of the Trust and
shall not constitute a loan to the Trust.

          (d)    Upon issuance of the Securities as provided in this
Declaration, the Securities so issued shall be deemed to be validly issued,
fully paid and non-assessable.

          (e)    Every person, by virtue of having become a Holder or a 
Preferred Security Beneficial Owner in accordance

                                       42
<PAGE>
 
with the terms of this Declaration, shall be deemed to have expressly assented
and agreed to the terms of, and shall be bound by, this Declaration.


                                 ARTICLE VIII
                             TERMINATION OF TRUST

SECTION 8.1   Termination of Trust.
              -------------------- 

          (a)    The Trust shall terminate:

          (c)    upon the bankruptcy of the Holder of the Common Securities or
     the Sponsor;

          (ii)   upon the filing of a certificate of dissolution or its
     equivalent with respect to the Holder of the Common Securities or the
     Sponsor; the filing of a certificate of cancellation with respect to the
     Trust or the revocation of the Holder of the Common Securities or the
     Sponsor's charter and the expiration of 90 days after the date of
     revocation without a reinstatement thereof;

          (iii)  upon the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the
     Holder of the Common Secu rities, the Sponsor or the Trust;

          (iv)   when all of the Securities shall have been called for
     redemption and the amounts necessary for redemption thereof shall have been
     paid to the Holders in accordance with the terms of the Securities;

          (v)    upon the occurrence and continuation of a Special Event
     pursuant to which the Trust shall have been dissolved in accordance with
     the terms of the Securities and all of the Subordinated Notes in accordance
     with the terms thereof shall have been distributed to the Holders of
     Securities in exchange for all of the Securities; or

          (vi)   before the issuance of any Securities, with the consent of all
     of the Regular Trustees and the Sponsor.

                                      43
<PAGE>
 
          (b)    As soon as is practicable after the occurrence of an event
referred to in Section 8.1(a), the Trustees shall file a certificate of 
cancellation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.


          (c)    The provisions of Section 3.9 and Article X shall survive the
termination of the Trust.


                                  ARTICLE IX
                             TRANSFER OF INTERESTS

SECTION 9.1   Transfer of Securities.
              ---------------------- 

          (a)    Securities may only be transferred, in whole or in part, in
accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Declaration and in
the Securities. Any transfer or purported transfer of any Security not made in
accordance with this Declaration and these Securities shall be null and void.

          (b)    Subject to this Article IX, Preferred Securities shall be
freely transferable.

          (c)    Subject to this Article IX, (x) the Sponsor may only transfer
Common Securities to a Related Party and (y) a Related Party may only transfer
Common Securities to the Sponsor or another Related Party; provided that, any
                                                           -------- ----  
such transfer is subject to the condition precedent that the transferor obtain
the written opinion of nationally recognized independent counsel experienced in
such matters that such transfer would not cause more than an insubstantial risk
that:

          (i)    the Trust would no longer be classified for United States
     federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust; or

          (ii)   the Trust would become an Investment Company or the transferee
     would become an Investment Company.

SECTION 9.2   Transfer of Certificates.
              ------------------------ 

                                      44
<PAGE>
 
          The Regular Trustees shall provide for the registration of
Certificates and of transfers of Certificates, which will be effected without
charge but only upon payment (with such indemnity as the Regular Trustees may
require) in respect of any tax or other government charges that may be imposed
in relation to it. Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any 
Certificate, the Regular Trustees shall cause one or more new Certificates to
be issued in the name of the designated transferee or transferees. Every
Certificate surrendered for registration of transfer shall be accompanied by a
written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Regular Trustees duly
executed by the Holder or such Holder's attorney duly authorized in writing.
Each Certificate surrendered for registration of transfer shall be canceled by
the Regular Trustees. A transferee of a Certificate shall be entitled to the
rights and subject to the obligations of a Holder hereunder upon the receipt by
such transferee of a Certificate. By acceptance of a Certificate, each
transferee shall be deemed to have agreed to be bound by this Declaration and
the terms of the Securities represented by such Certificate.

SECTION 9.3   Deemed Security Holders.
              ----------------------- 

          The Trustees may treat the Person in whose name any Certificate shall
be registered on the books and records of the Trust as the sole holder of such
Certificate and of the Securities represented by such Certificate for purposes
of receiving Distributions and for all other purposes whatsoever and,
accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or
interest in such Certificate or in the Securities represented by such
Certificate on the part of any Person, whether or not the Trust shall have
actual or other notice thereof.

SECTION 9.4   Book Entry Interests.
              -------------------- 

          Unless otherwise specified in the terms of the Preferred Securities,
the Preferred Securities Certificates, on original issuance, will be issued in
the form of one or more, fully registered, global Preferred Security
Certificates (each a "Global Certificate"), to be delivered to DTC, the initial
Clearing Agency, by, or on behalf of, the Trust.  Such Global Certifi-  

                                      45
<PAGE>
 
cates shall initially be registered on the books and records of the Trust in the
name of Cede & Co., the nominee of DTC, and no Preferred Security Beneficial
Owner will receive a definitive Preferred Security Certificate representing such
Preferred Security Beneficial Owner's interests in such Global Certificates,
except as provided in Section 9.7. Unless and until definitive, fully registered
Preferred Security Certificates (the "Definitive Preferred Security
Certificates") have been issued to the Preferred Security Beneficial Owners
pursuant to Section 9.7:

          (a)  the provisions of this Section 9.4 shall be in full force and
effect;

          (b)  the Trust and the Trustees shall be entitled to deal with the
Clearing Agency for all purposes of this Declaration (including the payment of
Distributions on the Global Certificates and receiving approvals, votes or
consents hereunder) as the Holder of the Preferred Securities and the sole
holder of the Global Certificates and shall have no obligation to the Preferred
Security Beneficial Owners;

          (c)  to the extent that the provisions of this Section 9.4 conflict
with any other provisions of this Declaration, the provisions of this Section
9.4 shall control; and

          (d)  the rights of the Preferred Security Beneficial Owners shall be
exercised only through the Clearing Agency and shall be limited to those
established by law and agreements between such Preferred Security Beneficial
Owners and the Clearing Agency and/or the Clearing Agency Participants. The
Clearing Agency will make book entry transfers among the Clearing Agency
Participants and receive and transmit payments of Distributions on the Global
Certificates to such Clearing Agency Participants.

SECTION 9.5    Notices to Clearing Agency.
               -------------------------- 

          Whenever a notice or other communication to the Preferred Security
Holders is required under this Declaration, unless and until Definitive
Preferred Security Certificates shall have been issued to the Preferred Security
Beneficial Owners pursuant to Section 9.7, the Regular Trustees shall give all
such notices and communications specified herein to be given to the

                                      46
<PAGE>
 
Preferred Security Holders to the Clearing Agency, and shall have no notice
obligations to the Preferred Security Beneficial Owners.

SECTION 9.6   Appointment of Successor Clearing Agency.
              ---------------------------------------- 

          If any Clearing Agency elects to discontinue its services as
securities depositary with respect to the Preferred Securities, the Regular
Trustees may, in their sole discretion, appoint a successor Clearing Agency with
respect to the Preferred Securities.

SECTION 9.7   Definitive Preferred Security Certificates.
              ------------------------------------------ 

          If:

          (a)    a Clearing Agency elects to discontinue its services as
securities depositary with respect to the Preferred Securities and a successor
Clearing Agency is not appointed within 90 days after such election pursuant to
Section 9.6; or

          (b)    the Regular Trustees elect after consultation with the Sponsor
to terminate the book entry system through the Clearing Agency with respect to
the Preferred Securities,

then:

          (c)    Definitive Preferred Security Certificates shall be prepared by
the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust with respect to the Preferred
Securities; and

          (d)    upon surrender of the Global Certificates by the Clearing
Agency, accompanied by registration instructions, the Regular Trustees shall
cause Definitive Preferred Security Certificates to be delivered to Preferred
Security Beneficial Owners in accordance with the instructions of the Clearing
Agency. Neither the Trustees nor the Trust shall be liable for any delay in
delivery of such instructions and each of them may conclusively rely on and
shall be protected in relying on, said instructions of the Clearing Agency. The
Definitive Preferred Security Certificates shall be printed, lithographed or
engraved or may be produced in any other manner as is reasonably accept-

                                      47
<PAGE>
 
able to the Regular Trustees, as evidenced by their execution thereof, and may
have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and
such legends or endorsements as the Regular Trustees may deem appropriate, or as
may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made
pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange on which
the Preferred Securities may be listed, or to conform to usage.

SECTION 9.8   Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates.
              ------------------------------------------------- 

          If:

          (a)    any mutilated Certificate should be surrendered to the Regular
Trustees, or if the Regular Trustees shall receive evidence to their 
satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Certificate; and

          (b)    there shall be delivered to the Regular Trustees such security
or indemnity as may be re quired by them to keep each of them harmless,

then, in the absence of notice that such Certificate shall have been acquired by
a bona fide purchaser, any Regular Trustee on behalf of the Trust shall execute
and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost
or stolen Certificate, a new Certificate of like denomination.  In connection
with the issuance of any new Certificate under this Section 9.8, the Regular
Trustees may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other
governmental charge that may be imposed in connection therewith.  Any duplicate
Certificate issued pursuant to this Section shall constitute conclusive evidence
of an ownership interest in the relevant Securities, as if originally issued,
whether or not the lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate shall be found at any
time.

                                      48
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE X
                          LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF
                   HOLDERS OF SECURITIES, TRUSTEES OR OTHERS

SECTION 10.1  Liability.
              --------- 

          (a)    Except as expressly set forth in this Declaration, the
Securities Guarantees and the terms of the Securities, the Sponsor shall not be:

          (i)    personally liable for the return of any portion of the capital
     contributions (or any return thereon) of the Holders, which shall be made
     solely from assets of the Trust; or

          (ii)   required to pay to the Trust or to any Holder any deficit upon
     dissolution of the Trust or otherwise.

          (b)    The Holder of the Common Securities shall be liable for all of
the debts and obligations of the Trust (other than with respect to the
Securities) to the extent not satisfied out of the Trust's assets.

          (c)    Pursuant to (S) 3803(a) of the Business Trust Act, the Holders
of the Preferred Securities shall be entitled to the same limitation of personal
liability extended to stockholders of private corporations for profit organized
under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

SECTION 10.2  Exculpation.
              ----------- 

          (a)    No Indemnified Person shall be liable, responsible or
accountable in damages or otherwise to the Trust or any Covered Person for any
loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or
omitted by such Indemnified Person in good faith on behalf of the Trust and in a
manner such Indemnified Person reasonably believed to be within the scope of the
authority conferred on such Indemnified Person by this Declaration or by law,
except that an Indemnified Person shall be liable for any such loss, damage or
claim incurred by reason of such Indemnified Person's gross negligence (or, in
the case of 

                                      49
<PAGE>
 
the Property Trustee, negligence) or willful misconduct with respect to such
acts or omissions.

          (b)    An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in relying in
good faith upon the records of the Trust and upon such information, opinions,
reports or statements presented to the Trust by any Person as to matters the
Indemnified Person reasonably believes are within such other Person's
professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care
by or on behalf of the Trust, including information, opinions, reports or
statements as to the value and amount of the assets, liabilities, profits,
losses, or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from
which Distributions to Holders of Securities might properly be paid.

SECTION 10.3  Fiduciary Duty.
              -------------- 

          (a)    To the extent that, at law or in equity, an Indemnified Person
has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the
Trust or to any other Covered Person, an Indem nified Person acting under this
Declaration shall not be liable to the Trust or to any other Covered Person for
its good faith reliance on the provi sions of this Declaration. The provisions
of this Declaration, to the extent that they restrict the duties and liabilities
of an Indemnified Person otherwise existing at law or in equity (other than the
duties imposed on the Property Trustee under the Trust Indenture Act), are
agreed by the parties hereto to replace such other duties and liabilities of
such Indemnified Person.

          (b)    Unless otherwise expressly provided herein:

          (i)    whenever a conflict of interest exists or arises between any
     Covered Persons; or

          (ii)   whenever this Declaration or any other agreement contemplated
     herein or therein provides that an Indemnified Person shall act in a manner
     that is, or provide terms that are, fair and reasonable to the Trust or any
     Holder,

the Indemnified Person shall resolve such conflict of interest, take such action
or provide such terms, considering in each case 

                                      50
<PAGE>
 
the relative interest of each party (including its own interest) to such
conflict, agreement, transaction or situation and the benefits and burdens
relating to such interests, any customary or accepted industry practices, and
any applicable generally accepted accounting practices or principles. In the
absence of bad faith by the Indemnified Person, the resolution, action or term
so made, taken or provided by the Indemnified Person shall not constitute a
breach of this Declaration or any other agreement contemplated herein or of any
duty or obligation of the Indemnified Person at law or in equity or otherwise.

          (c)  Whenever in this Declaration an Indemnified Person is permitted
or required to make a decision:

          (i)  in its "discretion" or under a grant of similar authority, the
     Indemnified Person shall be entitled to consider such interests and factors
     as it desires, including its own interests, and shall have no duty or
     obligation to give any consideration to any interest of or factors
     affecting the Trust or any other Person; or

          (ii) in its "good faith" or under another express standard, the
     Indemnified Person shall act under such express standard and shall not be
     subject to any other or different standard imposed by this Declaration or
     by applicable law.

SECTION 10.4   Indemnification.
               --------------- 

          (a)  To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Sponsor
shall indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnified Person from and against any
loss, damage, liability, tax, penalty, expense or claim of any kind or nature
whatsoever incurred by such Indemnified Person by reason of the creation,
operation or termination of the Trust or any act or omission performed or
omitted by such Indemnified Person in good faith on behalf of the Trust and in
a manner such Indemnified Person reasonably believed to be within the scope of
authority conferred on such Indemnified Person by this Declaration, except
that no Indemnified Person shall be entitled to be indemnified in respect of any
loss, damage or claim incurred by such Indemnified Per son by reason of gross
negligence (or, in the case of the Property 

                                      51
<PAGE>
 
Trustee, negligence) or willful misconduct with respect to such acts or
omissions.

          (b)    To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, expenses
(including legal fees and expenses) incurred by an Indemnified Person in
defending any claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding (whether such claim,
demand, action, suit or proceeding arises between the parties hereto or results
from suits involving third parties) shall, from time to time, be advanced by the
Sponsor prior to the final disposition of such claim, demand, action, suit or
proceeding upon receipt by the Sponsor of an undertaking by or on behalf of the
Indemnified Person to repay such amount if it shall be determined that the
Indemnified Person is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized in Section
10.4(a). The indemnification shall survive the termination of this Declaration.

SECTION 10.5  Outside Businesses.
              ------------------ 

          Any Covered Person, the Sponsor, the Delaware Trustee and the Property
Trustee may engage in or possess an interest in other business ventures of any
nature or description, independently or with others, similar or dissimilar to
the business of the Trust, and the Trust and the Holders shall have no rights by
virtue of this Declaration in and to such independent ventures or the income or
profits derived therefrom, and the pursuit of any such venture, even if
competitive with the business of the Trust, shall not be deemed wrongful or
improper.  No Covered Person, the Sponsor, the Delaware Trustee, or the Property
Trustee shall be obligated to present any particular investment or other oppor
tunity to the Trust even if such opportunity is of a character that, if
presented to the Trust, could be taken by the Trust, and any Covered Person, the
Sponsor, the Delaware Trustee and the Property Trustee shall have the right to
take for its own account (individually or as a partner or fiduciary) or to
recommend to others any such particular investment or other opportunity.  Any
Covered Person, the Delaware Trustee and the Property Trustee may engage or be
interested in any financial or other transaction with the Sponsor or any
Affiliate of the Sponsor, or may act as depositary for, trustee or agent for, or
act on any committee or body of holders of, securities or other obligations of
the Sponsor or its Affiliates.

                                      52
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE XI
                                  ACCOUNTING

SECTION 11.1   Fiscal Year.
               ----------- 

          The fiscal year ("Fiscal Year") of the Trust shall be the calendar
year, or such other year as is required by the Code.

SECTION 11.2   Certain Accounting Matters.
               -------------------------- 

          (a)  At all times during the existence of the Trust, the Regular
Trustees shall keep, or cause to be kept, full books of account, records and
supporting documents which shall reflect, in reasonable detail, each transaction
of the Trust. The books of account shall be maintained on the accrual method of
accounting, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,
consistently applied. The Trust shall use the accrual method of accounting for
United States federal income tax purposes. The books of account and the records
of the Trust shall be examined by and reported upon as of the end of each Fiscal
Year of the Trust by a firm of independent certified public accountants selected
by the Regular Trustees.

          (b)  The Regular Trustees shall cause to be prepared and delivered
to each of the Holders, within 90 days after the end of each Fiscal Year of the
Trust, annual financial statements of the Trust, including a balance sheet of
the Trust as of the end of such Fiscal Year, and the related statements of
income or loss.

          (c)  The Regular Trustees shall cause to be duly prepared and
delivered to each Holder, any annual United States federal income tax
information statement, required by the Code, containing such information with
regard to the Securities held by such Holder as is required by the Code and the
Treasury Regulations. Notwithstanding any right under the Code to deliver any
such statement at a later date, the Regular Trustees shall endeavor to deliver
all such statements within 30 days after the end of each Fiscal Year of the
Trust.

                                      53
<PAGE>
 
          (d)  The Regular Trustees shall cause to be duly prepared and filed
with the appropriate taxing au thority an annual United States federal income
tax return, on a Form 1041 or such other form required by United States federal
income tax law, and any other annual income tax returns required to be filed by
the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust with any state or local taxing
authority.

SECTION 11.3   Banking.
               ------- 

          The Trust shall maintain one or more bank accounts in the name and for
the sole benefit of the Trust; provided, however, that all payments of funds in
                               --------  -------                               
respect of the Subordinated Notes held by the Property Trustee shall be made
directly to the Property Trustee Account and no other funds of the Trust shall
be deposited in the Property Trustee Account.  The sole signatories for such
accounts shall be designated by the Regular Trustees; provided, however, that
                                                      --------  -------      
the Property Trustee shall designate the signatories for the Property Trustee
Account.

SECTION 11.4   Withholding.
               ----------- 

          The Trust and the Regular Trustees shall comply with all withholding
requirements under United States federal, state and local law.  The Trust shall
request, and the Holders shall provide to the Trust, such forms or certificates
as are necessary to establish an exemption from withholding with respect to each
Holder, and any representations and forms as shall reasonably be requested by
the Trust to assist it in determining the extent of, and in fulfilling, its
withholding obligations. The Regular Trustee shall file required forms with
applicable jurisdictions and, unless an exemption from withholding is properly
established by a Holder, shall remit amounts withheld with respect to such
Holder to applicable jurisdictions. To the extent that the Trust is required to
withhold and pay over any amounts to any authority with respect to distributions
or allocations to any Holder, the amount withheld shall be deemed to be a
distribution in the amount of the withholding to such Holder. In the event of
any claimed over-withholding, Holders shall be limited to an action against the
applicable jurisdiction. If the amount required to be withheld was not withheld
from actual Distributions made, the 

                                      54
<PAGE>
 
Trust may reduce subsequent Distributions by the amount of such withholding.


                                  ARTICLE XII
                            AMENDMENTS AND MEETINGS

SECTION 12.1  Amendments.
              ---------- 

          (a)    Except as otherwise provided in this Declaration or by any
applicable terms of the Securities, this Declaration may only be amended by a
written instrument approved and executed by:

          (i)    the Regular Trustees (or, if there are more than two Regular
     Trustees, a majority of the Regular Trustees);

          (ii)   if the amendment affects the rights, powers, duties,
     obligations or immunities of the Property Trustee, the Property Trustee;
     and

          (iii)  if the amendment affects the rights, powers, duties,
     obligations or immunities of the Delaware Trustee, the Delaware Trustee.

          (b)    No amendment shall be made, and any purported amendment shall
be void and ineffective:

          (i)    unless, in the case of any proposed amendment, the Property
     Trustee shall have first received an Officers' Certificate from each of the
     Trust and the Sponsor that such amendment is permitted by, and conforms to,
     the terms of this Declaration (including the terms of the Securities);

          (ii)   unless, in the case of any proposed amendment which affects the
     rights, powers, duties, obligations or immunities of the Property Trustee,
     the Property Trustee shall have first received:

                 (A)  an Officers' Certificate from each of the Trust and the
          Sponsor that such amendment is permitted

                                      55
<PAGE>
 
          by, and conforms to, the terms of this Declaration (including the
          terms of the Securities); and

                 (B)  an opinion of counsel (who may be counsel to the Sponsor
          or the Trust) that such amendment is permitted by, and conforms to,
          the terms of this Declaration (including the terms of the Securities);
          and

          (iii)  to the extent the result of such amendment would be to:

                 (A)  cause the trust to fail to continue to be classified for
          purposes of United States federal income taxation as a grantor trust;

                 (B)  reduce or otherwise adversely affect the powers of the
          Property Trustee in contravention of the Trust Indenture Act; or

                 (C)  cause the Trust to be deemed to be an Ivestment Company
          required to be registered under the Investment Company Act.

          (c)    If the Trust has any Securities outstanding, any amendment that
would adversely affect the rights, privileges or preferences of any Holder of
such Securities may be effected only with such additional requirements as may be
set forth in the terms of such Securities.

          (d)    Section 9.1(c) and this Section 12.1 shall not be amended
without the consent of all of the Holders of the Securities.

          (e)    Article IV shall not be amended without the consent of the
Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities.

          (f)    The rights of the holders of the Common Securities under
Article V to increase or decrease the number of, and appoint and remove,
Trustees shall not be amended without the consent of the Holders of a Majority
in liquidation amount of the Common Securities.

                                       56
<PAGE>
 
          (g)    Notwithstanding Section 12.1(c), this Declaration may be
amended without the consent of the Holders of the Securities to:

          (i)    cure any ambiguity;

          (ii)   correct or supplement any provision in this Declaration that
     may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision of this
     Declaration;

          (iii)  add to the covenants, restrictions or obligations of the
     Sponsor;

          (iv)   in the event the Trust is deemed not to be an Investment
     Company solely by reason of Rule 3a-7, conform to any change in Rule 3a-7
     or written change in interpretation or application of Rule 3a-7 by any
     legislative body, court, government agency or regulatory authority which
     amendment does not have a material adverse effect on the rights,
     preferences or privileges of the Holders; and

          (v)    cause the trust to continue to be classified for purposes of
     United States federal income taxation as a grantor trust; provided, such
                                                               --------
     amendment does not have a material adverse effect on the rights,
     preferences or privileges of the Holders.

SECTION 12.2     Meetings of the Holders; Action by Written Consent.
                 -------------------------------------------------- 

          (a)    Meetings of the Holders of any class of Securities may be
called at any time by the Regular Trustees (or as provided in the terms of the
Securities) to consider and act on any matter on which Holders of such class of
Securities are entitled to act under the terms of this Declaration, the terms of
the Securities or the rules of any stock exchange on which the Preferred
Securities are listed or admitted for trading. The Regular Trustees shall call a
meeting of the Holders of such class if directed to do so by the Holders of at
least 10% in liquidation amount of such class of Securities. Such direction
shall be given by delivering to the Regular Trustees one or more calls in a
writing stating that the signing Holders wish to call a meeting

                                       57
<PAGE>
 
and indicating the general or specific purpose for which the meeting is to be
called. Any Holders calling a meeting shall specify in writing the Security
Certificates held by the Holders exercising the right to call a meeting and only
those Securities specified shall be counted for purposes of determining whether
the required percentage set forth in the second sentence of this paragraph has
been met.

          (b)    Except to the extent otherwise provided in the terms of the
Securities, the following provisions shall apply to meetings of Holders of any
class of Securities:

          (i)    notice of any such meeting shall be given to all the Holders of
     Securities having a right to vote thereat at least 7 days and not more than
     60 days before the date of such meeting. Whenever a vote, consent or
     approval of Holders is permitted or required under this Declaration or the
     rules of any stock exchange on which the Preferred Securities are listed or
     admitted for trading, such vote, consent or approval may be given at a
     meeting of such Holders. Any action that may be taken at a meeting of
     Holders may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing setting
     forth the action so taken is signed by Holders owning not less than the
     minimum amount of Securities in liquidation amount that would be necessary
     to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all Holders of
     Securities having a right to vote thereon were present and voting. Prompt
     notice of the taking of action without a meeting shall be given to the
     Holders of Securities entitled to vote who have not consented in writing.
     The Regular Trustees may specify that any written consent submitted to
     Holders for the purpose of taking any action without a meeting shall be
     returned to the Trust within the time specified by the Regular Trustees;

          (ii)   each Holder may authorize any Person to act for it by proxy on
     all matters in which such Holder is entitled to participate, including
     waiving notice of any meeting, or voting or participating at a meeting. No
     proxy shall be valid after the expiration of 11 months from the date
     thereof unless otherwise provided in the proxy. Every proxy shall be
     revocable at the pleasure of the Holder executing

                                       58
<PAGE>
 
     it. Except as otherwise provided herein, all matters relating to the
     giving, voting or validity of proxies shall be governed by the General
     Corporation Law of the State of Delaware relating to proxies, and judicial
     interpretations thereunder, as if the Trust were a Delaware corporation and
     the Holders were stockholders of a Delaware corporation;

          (iii)  each meeting of Holders shall be conducted by the Regular
     Trustees or by such other Person that the Regular Trustees may designate;
     and

          (iv)   unless the Business Trust Act, this Declaration, the terms of
     the Securities, the Trust Indenture Act or the listing rules of any stock
     exchange on which the Preferred Securities are then listed or trading
     otherwise provides, the Regular Trustees, in their sole discretion, shall
     establish all other provisions relating to meetings of Holders, including
     notice of the time, place or purpose of any meeting at which any matter is
     to be voted on by any Holders, waiver of any such notice, action by consent
     without a meeting, the establishment of a record date, quorum requirements,
     voting in person or by proxy or any other matter with respect to the
     exercise of any such right to vote.


                                 ARTICLE XIII
                      REPRESENTATIONS OF PROPERTY TRUSTEE
                             AND DELAWARE TRUSTEE

SECTION 13.1     Representations and Warranties of Property Trustee.
                 -------------------------------------------------- 

          The Trustee that acts as initial Property Trustee represents and
warrants to the Trust and to the Sponsor at the date of this Declaration, and
each successor Property Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and the
Sponsor at the time of the successor Property Trustee's acceptance of its
appointment as Property Trustee, that:

          (a)    the Property Trustee is a banking corporation or association
with trust powers, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under
the laws of a state of the United

                                       59
<PAGE>
 
States or of the United States, with trust power and authority to execute and
deliver, and to carry out and perform its obligations under the terms of, the
Declaration;

          (b)    the execution, delivery and performance by the Property Trustee
of the Declaration has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on
the part of the Property Trustee. The Declaration has been duly executed and
delivered by the Property Trustee, and it constitutes a legal, valid and binding
obligation of the Property Trustee, enforceable against it in accordance with
its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, moratorium,
insolvency, and other similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and to
general principles of equity and the discretion of the court (regardless of
whether the enforcement of such remedies is considered in a proceeding in equity
or at law);

          (c)    the execution, delivery and performance of the Declaration by
the Property Trustee does not conflict with or constitute a breach of the
charter or by-laws of the Property Trustee; and

          (d)    no consent, approval or authorization of, or registration with
or notice to, any State or federal banking authority is required for the
execution, delivery or performance by the Property Trustee of the Declaration.

SECTION 13.2     Representations and Warranties of Delaware Trustee.
                 -------------------------------------------------- 

          The Trustee that acts as initial Delaware Trustee represents and
warrants to the Trust and to the Sponsor at the date of this Declaration, and
each Successor Delaware Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and the
Sponsor at the time of the Successor Delaware Trustee's acceptance of its
appointment as Delaware Trustee, that:

          (a)    the Delaware Trustee is a Delaware banking corporation with
trust powers, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the State of Delaware, with trust power and authority to execute and
deliver, and to carry

                                       60
<PAGE>
 
out and perform its obligations under the terms of, the Declaration;

          (b)    the Delaware Trustee has been authorized to perform its
obligations under the Certificate of Trust and the Declaration. The Declaration
under Delaware law constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the
Delaware Trustee, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject
to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, moratorium, insolvency, and other
similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and to general principles of
equity and the discretion of the court (regardless of whether the enforcement of
such remedies is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law);

          (c)    no consent, approval or authorization of, or registration with
or notice to, any State or Federal banking authority is required for the
execution, delivery or performance by the Delaware Trustee of the Declaration;
and

          (d)    the Delaware Trustee is a natural person who is a resident of
the State of Delaware or, if not a natural person, an entity which has its
principal place of business in the State of Delaware.


                                  ARTICLE XIV
                                 MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 14.1     Notices.
                 ------- 

          All notices provided for in this Declaration shall be in writing, duly
signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be delivered, telecopied or
mailed by registered or certified mail, as follows:

          (a)    if given to the Trust, in care of the Regular Trustees at the
Trust's mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Trust may
give notice of to the Holders):

                 TCI Communications Financing VI
                 c/o TCI Communications, Inc.  
                 Terrace Tower II              
                 5619 DTC Parkway               

                                       61
<PAGE>
 
                 Englewood, Colorado 80111-3000
                 Attention:

          (b)    if given to the Delaware Trustee, at the mailing address set
forth below (or such other address as the Delaware Trustee may give notice of to
the Holders):

                 The Bank of New York (Delaware)    
                 400 White Clay Center, Route 273   
                 Newark, Delaware 19711             
                 Attention:                          

          (c)    if given to the Property Trustee, at the mailing address set
forth below (or such other address as the Property Trustee may give notice of to
the Holders):

                 The Bank of New York
                 101 Barclay Street, Floor 21 West
                 New York, New York  10286
                 Attention:  Corporate Trust Trustee Administration

          (d)    if given to the Holder of the Common Securities, at the mailing
address of the Sponsor set forth below (or such other address as the Holder of
the Common Securities may give notice of to the Trust):

                 TCI Communications, Inc.           
                 Terrace Tower II                   
                 5619 DTC Parkway                   
                 Englewood, Colorado 80111          
                 Attention:  Chief Financial Officer 

          (e)    if given to any other Holder, at the address set forth on the
books and records of the Trust.

          All such notices shall be deemed to have been given when received in
person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class mail,
postage prepaid, except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery
or cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was
given,

                                       62
<PAGE>
 
such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date
of such refusal or inability to deliver.

SECTION 14.2     Governing Law.
                 ------------- 

          This Declaration and the rights of the parties hereunder shall be
governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware
and all rights and remedies shall be governed by such laws without regard to
principles of conflict of laws.

SECTION 14.3     Intention of the Parties.
                 ------------------------ 

          It is the intention of the parties hereto that the Trust be classified
for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust. The provisions
of this Declaration shall be interpreted to further this intention of the
parties.

SECTION 14.4     Headings.
                 -------- 

          Headings contained in this Declaration are inserted for convenience of
reference only and do not affect the interpretation of this Declaration or any
provision hereof.

SECTION 14.5     Successors and Assigns
                 ----------------------

          Whenever in this Declaration any of the parties hereto is named or
referred to, the successors and assigns of such party shall be deemed to be
included, and all covenants and agreements in this Declaration by the Sponsor
and the Trustees shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective
successors and assigns, whether so expressed.

SECTION 14.6     Partial Enforceability.
                 ---------------------- 

          If any provision of this Declaration, or the application of such
provision to any Person or circumstance, shall be held invalid, the remainder of
this Declaration, or the application of such provision to persons or
circumstances other than those to which it is held invalid, shall not be
affected thereby.

                                       63
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 14.7     Counterparts.
                 ------------ 

          This Declaration may contain more than one counterpart of the
signature page and this Declaration may be executed by the affixing of the
signature of each of the Trustees to one of such counterpart signature pages.
All of such counterpart signature pages shall be read as though one, and they
shall have the same force and effect as though all of the signers had signed a
single signature page.

                                       64
<PAGE>
 
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Declaration to be
executed as of the day and year first above written.

                                                  [                      ], 
                                                  as Regular Trustee        
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                  __________________________
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                  [                      ], 
                                                  as Regular Trustee        
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                  __________________________
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                  [                      ], 
                                                  as Regular Trustee        
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                  __________________________
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                  THE BANK OF NEW YORK      
                                                  (DELAWARE),               
                                                  as Delaware Trustee       
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                  By:                       
                                                  _______________________   
                                                  Name:                      

                                       65
<PAGE>
 
                                                  Title:                  
                                                                          
                                                                          
                                                  THE BANK OF NEW YORK,   
                                                  as Property Trustee     
                                                                          
                                                                          
                                                                          
                                                  By:                     
                                                  _______________________ 
                                                  Name:                   
                                                  Title:                  
                                                                          
                                                                          
                                                  TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.,
                                                  as Sponsor              
                                                                          
                                                                          
                                                                          
                                                  By:                     
                                                  _______________________ 
                                                  Name:                   
                                                  Title:                   

                                       66
<PAGE>
 
                                    ANNEX I


                                   TERMS OF
                  ___% TRUST ORIGINATED PREFERRED SECURITIES
                    ___% TRUST ORIGINATED COMMON SECURITIES



          Further to Section 7.1 of the Amended and Restated Declaration of
Trust, dated as of _________ __, 199_ (as amended from time to time, the
"Declaration"), the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences
and other terms and provisions of the Preferred Securities and the Common
Securities are set out below (each capitalized term used but not defined herein
has the meaning set forth in the Declaration or, if not defined in such
Declaration, as defined in the Prospectus referred to below):

          1.   Designation and Number.
               ---------------------- 

          (a)  Preferred Securities.  [           ] Preferred Securities of the
               --------------------                          
Trust with an aggregate liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the
Trust of [              ] dollars ($[             ]) and a liquidation amount 
with respect to the assets of the Trust of $25 per preferred security, are
hereby designated for the purposes of identification only as "_____% Trust
Originated Preferred Securities/SM/ ('TOPrS'/SM/)" (the "Preferred Securities").
The Preferred Security Certificates evidencing the Preferred Securities shall be
substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 to the Declaration, with such changes
and additions thereto or deletions therefrom as may be required by ordinary
usage, custom or practice or to conform to the rules of any stock exchange on
which the Preferred Securities are listed.

          (b)  Common Securities.  [           ] Common Securities of the Trust
               -----------------                                 
with an aggregate liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of
[             ] dollars ($[           ]) and a liquidation amount with respect 
to the assets of the Trust of $25 per common security, are hereby designated for
the purposes of identification only as "______%

                                      I-1
<PAGE>
 
Trust Originated Common Securities" (the "Common Securities"). The Common
Security Certificates evidencing the Common Securities shall be substantially in
the form of Exhibit A-2 to the Decla ration, with such changes and additions
thereto or deletions therefrom as may be required by ordinary usage, custom or
practice.

          2.   Distributions.
               ------------- 

          (a)  Distributions payable on each Security will be fixed at a rate
per annum of ______% (the "Coupon Rate") of the stated liquidation amount of $25
per Security, such rate being the rate of interest payable on the Subordinated
Notes to be held by the Property Trustee. Distributions in arrears for more than
one quarter will bear interest thereon compounded quarterly at the Coupon Rate
(to the extent permitted by applicable law). The term "Distributions" as used
herein includes such cash distributions and any such interest payable unless
otherwise stated. A Distribution is payable only to the extent that payments are
made in respect of the Subordinated Notes held by the Property Trustee and to
the extent the Property Trustee has funds available there for. The amount of
Distributions payable for any period will be computed for any full quarterly
Distribution period on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and
for any period shorter than a full quarterly Distribution period for which
Distributions are computed, Distributions will be computed on the basis of the
actual number of days elapsed per 90-day quarter.

          (b)  Distributions on the Securities will be cumulative, will accrue
from the date of original issuance, and will be payable quarterly in arrears, on
March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31 of each year, commencing on
________,199_, except as otherwise described below. The Subordinated Note Issuer
has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest by extending the
interest payment period from time to time on the Subordinated Notes for a period
not exceeding 20 consecutive quarters (each an "Extension Period"), provided
                                                                    --------  
that no Extension Period shall last beyond the date of maturity of the
- ----
Subordinated Notes. As a consequence of such deferral, Distributions will also
be deferred. Despite such deferral, quarterly Distributions will continue to
accrue with interest thereon (to the extent permitted by applicable law) at the
Coupon Rate compounded quar-
                                      I-2
<PAGE>
 
terly during any such Extension Period. Prior to the termination of any such
Extension Period, the Subordinated Note Issuer may further extend such Extension
Period; provided that such Extension Period together with all such previous and
        -------- ----                          
further extensions thereof may not exceed 20 consecutive quarters or last beyond
the date of maturity of the Subordinated Notes. Payments of accrued
Distributions will be payable to Holders as they appear on the books and records
of the Trust on the first record date for the payment of Distributions after the
end of the Extension Period. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and
the payment of all amounts then due, the Subordinated Note Issuer may commence a
new Extension Period, subject to the above requirements.

          (c)  Distributions on the Securities will be payable to the Holders
thereof as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the relevant
record dates. While the Preferred Securities remain in book-entry only form, the
relevant record dates shall be one Business Day prior to the relevant payment
dates which payment dates correspond to the interest payment dates on the
Subordinated Notes. Subject to any applicable laws and regulations and the
provisions of the Declaration, each such payment in respect of the Preferred
Securities will be made as described under the heading "Description of the
Preferred Securities -- Book-Entry Only Issuance -- The Depository Trust
Company" in the Prospectus dated _________ __, 199-, (the "Prospectus"),
included in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of the Sponsor (in its
capacity as the Subordinated Note Issuer and the issuer of the Preferred
Securities Guarantee) and the Trust (Reg. No. 333-___). The relevant record
dates for the Common Securities shall be the same record dates as for the
Preferred Securities. If the Preferred Securities shall not continue to remain
in book-entry only form, the relevant record dates for the Preferred Securities
shall conform to the rules of any securities exchange on which such securities
are listed and, if none, shall be selected by the Regular Trustees, which dates
shall be at least one Business Day but less than 60 Business Days before the
relevant payment dates, which payment dates correspond to the interest payment
dates on the Subordinated Notes. Distributions payable on any Securities that
are not punctually paid on any Distribution payment date, as a result of the
Subordinated Note Issuer having failed to make a payment under the Subordinated
Notes,

                                      I-3
<PAGE>
 
will cease to be payable to the Person in whose name such Securities are
registered on the relevant regular record date, and such defaulted Distribution
will instead be payable to the Person in whose name such Securities are
registered on the special record date or other specified date determined in
accordance with the Indenture for the making of such payment. If any date on
which Distributions are payable on the Securities is not a Business Day, then
payment of the Distribution payable on such date will be made on the next
succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment
in respect of any such delay) except that, if such Business Day is in the next
succeeding calendar year, such payment shall be made on the immediately
preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force and effect as if made
on such date.

          (d)  In the event that there is any money or other property held by or
for the Trust that is not accounted for hereunder, such property shall be
distributed Pro Rata (as defined herein) among the Holders of the Securities.

          3.   Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution.
               ----------------------------------------- 

          In the event of any voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up
or termination of the Trust, the Holders on the date of the dissolution, 
winding-up or termination, as the case may be, will be entitled to receive out
of the assets of the Trust available for distribution to Holders after
satisfaction of liabilities of creditors an amount equal to the aggregate of the
stated liquidation amount of $25 per Security plus accrued and unpaid
Distributions thereon to the date of payment (such amount being the "Liquidation
Distribution"), unless, in connection with such dissolution, winding-up or
termination, Subordinated Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the
aggregate stated liquidation amount of such Securities, with an interest rate
equal to the Coupon Rate of, and bearing accrued and unpaid interest in an
amount equal to the accrued and unpaid Distributions on, such Securities, shall
be distributed on a Pro Rata basis to the Holders of the Securities in exchange
for such Securities.

          If, upon any such dissolution, the Liquidation Distribution can be
paid only in part because the Trust has insuffi-

                                      I-4
<PAGE>
 
cient assets available to pay in full the aggregate Liquidation Distribution,
then the amounts payable directly by the Trust on the Securities shall be paid
on a Pro Rata basis.

          4.   Redemption and Distribution.
               --------------------------- 

          (a)  Upon the repayment of the Subordinated Notes in whole or in part,
whether at maturity or upon redemption, the proceeds from such repayment or
payment shall be simultaneously applied to redeem Securities having an aggregate
liquidation amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Subordinat ed
Notes so repaid or redeemed at a redemption price of $25 per Security plus an
amount equal to accrued and unpaid Distributions thereon at the date of the
redemption, payable in cash (the "Redemption Price"). Holders will be given not
less than 30 nor more than 60 days notice of such redemption.

          (b)  If fewer than all the outstanding Securities are to be so
redeemed, the Common Securities and the Preferred Securities will be redeemed
Pro Rata and the procedure for redeeming Preferred Securities will be as
described in Section 4(f)(ii) below.

          (c)  If a Tax Event or an Investment Company Event (each as defined
below, and each a "Special Event") shall occur and be continuing the Regular
Trustees shall, except in certain limited circumstances in relation to a Tax
Event described in this Section 4(c), dissolve the Trust and, after satisfaction
of creditors, cause Subordinated Notes held by the Property Trustee, having an
aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate stated liquidation amount of,
with an interest rate identical to the Coupon Rate of, and accrued and unpaid
interest equal to accrued and unpaid Distributions on, and having the same
record date for payment, as the Securities, to be distributed to the Holders in
liquidation of such Holders' interests in the Trust on a Pro Rata basis, within
90 days following the occurrence of such Special Event (the "90 Day Period");
provided, however, that, as a condition of such dissolution and distribution,
- --------  -------                                                            
the Regular Trustees shall have received an opinion of a nationally recognized
independent tax counsel experienced in such matters (a "No Recognition
Opinion"), which opinion may rely on published revenue rulings of the Internal
Revenue Service, to the effect

                                      I-5
<PAGE>
 
that the Holders will not recognize any gain or loss for United States federal
income tax purposes as a result of the dissolution of the Trust and the
distribution of Subordinated Notes, and provided, further, that, if at the time
                                        --------  -------                      
there is available to the Trust the opportunity to eliminate, within the 90 Day
Period, the Special Event by taking some ministerial action, such as filing a
form or making an election, or pursuing some other similar reasonable measure
that has no adverse effect on the Trust, the Subordinated Note Issuer, the
Sponsor or the Holders ("Ministerial Action"), the Trust will pursue such
Ministerial Action in lieu of dissolution.

          If (i) in the event of a Tax Event, after receipt of a Tax Event
Opinion (as defined hereinafter) by the Regular Trustees, the Subordinated Note
Issuer has received an opinion (a "Redemption Tax Opinion") of a nationally
recognized independent tax counsel experienced in such matters that, as a result
of a Tax Event, there is more than an insubstantial risk that the Subordinated
Note Issuer would be precluded from deducting the interest on the Subordinated
Notes for United States federal income tax purposes even if the Subordinated
Notes were distributed to the Holders in liquidation of such Holders' interests
in the Trust as described in this Section 4(c), or (ii) in the event of any
Special Event, after receipt of a Tax Event Opinion or Investment Company Event
Opinion (as defined hereinafter), as the case may be, the Regular Trustees shall
have been informed by such tax counsel that a No Recognition Opinion cannot be
delivered to the Trust, the Subordinated Note Issuer shall have the right at
any time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days notice, to redeem the
Subordinated Notes in whole or in part for cash within 90 days following the
occurrence of such Special Event, and, following such redemption, Securities
with an aggregate liquidation amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of
the Subordinated Notes so redeemed shall be redeemed by the Trust at the
Redemption Price on a Pro Rata basis; provided, however, that, if at the time
                                      --------  -------                      
there is available to the Trust the opportunity to eliminate, within such 90 day
period, the Special Event by taking some Ministerial Action, the Trust or the
Subordinated Note Issuer will pursue such Ministerial Action in lieu of
redemption.

                                      I-6
<PAGE>
 
          "Tax Event" means that the Regular Trustees shall have received an
opinion of a nationally recognized independent tax counsel experienced in such
matters (a "Tax Event Opinion") to the effect that on or after the date of the
Prospectus, as a result of (a) any amendment to, or change (including any 
announced prospective change) in, the laws (or any regulations thereunder) of
the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority therefor or
therein, or (b) any amendment to, or change in, an interpretation or application
of any such laws or regulations by any legislative body, court, governmental
agency or regulatory authority, which amendment or change is enacted,
promulgated, issued or announced or which interpretation or pronouncement is
issued or announced or which action is taken, in each case on or after the date
of the Prospectus, there is more than an insubstantial risk that (i) the Trust
is, or will be within 90 days of the date thereof, subject to United States
federal income tax with respect to interest accrued or received on the
Subordinated Notes, (ii) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date
thereof, subject to more than a de minimis amount of taxes, duties or other
governmental charges, or (iii) interest payable by the Subordinated Note Issuer
to the Trust on the Subordinated Notes is not, or within 90 days of the date
thereof will not be, deductible, in whole or in part, by the Subordinated Note
Issuer for United States federal income tax purposes.

          "Investment Company Event" means that the Regular Trustees shall have
received an opinion of a nationally recognized independent counsel experienced
in practice under the Investment Company Act (an "Investment Company Event
Opinion") that, as a result of the occurrence of a change in law or regulation
or a written change in interpretation or application of law or regulation by any
legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory authority (a "Change
in 1940 Act Law"), there is a more than an insubstantial risk that the Trust is
or will be considered an Investment Company which is required to be registered
under the Investment Company Act, which Change in 1940 Act Law becomes effective
on or after the date of the Prospectus.

          On and from the date fixed by the Regular Trustees for any
distribution of Subordinated Notes and dissolution of the Trust: (i) the
Securities will no longer be deemed to be out-

                                      I-7
<PAGE>
 
standing and (ii) DTC (the "Depository") or its nominee (or any successor
Clearing Agency or its nominee), as the record Holder of the Preferred
Securities, will receive a registered global certificate or certificates
representing the Subordinated Notes to be delivered upon such distribution and
any certificates representing Securities, except for certificates representing
Preferred Securities held by the Depository or its nominee (or any successor
Clearing Agency or its nominee), will be deemed to represent beneficial
interests in the Subordinated Notes having an aggregate principal amount equal
to the aggregate stated liquidation amount of, with an interest rate identical
to the Coupon Rate of, and accrued and unpaid interest equal to accrued and
unpaid Distributions on such Securities until such certificates are surrendered
or presented to the Subordinated Note Issuer or its agent for transfer or
reissue.

          (d)  The Trust may not redeem fewer than all the outstanding
Securities unless all accrued and unpaid Distributions have been paid on all
Securities for all quarterly Distribution periods terminating on or before the
date of redemption.

          (e)  If the Subordinated Notes are distributed to holders of the
Securities, pursuant to the terms of the Indenture the Subordinated Note Issuer
will use its best efforts to have the Subordinated Notes listed on the New York
Stock Exchange or on such other exchange or the Nasdaq National Market as the
Preferred Securities were listed immediately prior to the distribution of the
Subordinated Notes.

          (f)  The following provisions shall apply to any call for redemption
of Securities or any distribution of Subordinated Notes to Holders:

          (i)  Notice of any redemption of, or notice of distribution of
     Subordinated Notes in exchange for, Securities (a "Redemption/Distribution
     Notice") will be given by the Trust by mail to each Holder of Securities to
     be redeemed or exchanged not fewer than 30 nor more than 60 days before the
     date fixed for redemption or exchange thereof which, in the case of a
     redemption, will be the date fixed for redemption of the Subordinated
     Notes. For purposes of the calculation of the date of redemption or
     exchange and the dates on which

                                      I-8
<PAGE>
 
notices are given pursuant to this Section 4(f)(i), a Redemption/Distribution
Notice shall be deemed to be given on the day such notice is first mailed by
first-class mail, postage prepaid, to Holders. Each Redemption/Distribution
Notice shall be addressed to each Holder at the address of such Holder appearing
in the books and records of the Trust. No defect in the Redemption/Distribution
Notice or in the mailing of either thereof with respect to any Holder shall
affect the validity of the redemption or exchange proceedings with respect to
any other Holder.

          (ii)   In the event that fewer than all the outstanding Securities are
to be redeemed, the Securities to be redeemed shall be redeemed Pro Rata from
each Holder of Preferred Securities, it being understood that, in respect of
Preferred Securities registered in the name of and held of record by the
Depository or its nominee (or any successor Clearing Agency or its nominee), the
distribution of the proceeds of such redemption will be made to each Clearing
Agency Participant (or Person on whose behalf such Clearing Agency or nominee
holds such securities) in accordance with the procedures applied by such agency
or nominee.

          (iii)  If Securities are to be redeemed and the Trust gives a
Redemption/Distribution Notice, which notice may only be issued if the
Subordinated Notes are redeemed as set out in this Section 4 (which notice will
be irrevocable), then (A) while the Preferred Securities are in book-entry only
form, with respect to the Preferred Securities, by 12:00 noon, New York City
time, on the redemption date, the Property Trustee will deposit irrevocably with
the Depository or its nominee (or successor Clearing Agency or its nominee)
funds sufficient to pay the applicable Redemption Price with respect to the
Preferred Securities and will give the Depository irrevocable instructions and
authority to pay the Redemption Price to the Holders of the Preferred
Securities, provided that the Subordinated Note Issuer has deposited with the
            --------
Property Trustee a sufficient amount of cash in connection with the related
redemption or maturity of the Subordinated Notes prior to such time, and (B)
with respect to Preferred Securities issued in definitive form and Common
Securities, the Property Trustee will pay the

                                      I-9
<PAGE>
 
relevant Redemption Price to the Holders of such Securities by check mailed to
the address of the relevant Holder appearing on the books and records of the
Trust on the redemption date, provided that the Subordinated Note Issuer has
deposited with the Property Trustee a sufficient amount of cash in connection
with the related redemption or maturity of the Subordinated Notes, prior to such
mailing. If a Redemption/Distribution Notice shall have been given and funds
deposited with the Property Trustee on or before the redemption date as
required, then immediately prior to the close of business on the redemption date
distributions will cease to accrue on the Securities so called for redemption
and all rights of Holders of such Securities so called for redemption will
cease, except the right of the Holders of such Securities to receive the
Redemption Price, but without interest on such Redemption Price. Neither the
Regular Trustees nor the Trust shall be required to register or cause to be
registered the transfer of any Securities that have been so called for
redemption. If any date fixed for redemption of Securities is not a Business
Day, then payment of the Redemption Price payable on such date will be made on
the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without any interest or
other payment in respect of any such delay) except that, if such Business Day
falls in the next calendar year, such payment will be made on the immediately
preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force and effect as if made
on such date fixed for redemption. If payment of the Redemption Price in respect
of any Securities is improperly withheld or refused and not paid on the
redemption date either by the Property Trustee or by the Sponsor as guarantor
pursuant to the relevant Securities Guarantee, Distributions on such Securities
will continue to accrue from the original redemption date to the actual date of
payment, in which case the actual payment date will be considered the date fixed
for redemption for purposes of calculating the Redemption Price.

          (iv) Redemption/Distribution Notices shall be sent by the Regular
Trustees on behalf of the Trust to (A) in respect of the Preferred Securities,
the Depository or its nominee (or any successor Clearing Agency or its nominee)
if the Global Certificates have been issued or, if Definitive

                                     I-10
<PAGE>
 
     Preferred Security Certificates have been issued, to the Holders thereof at
     their addresses appearing on the books and records of the Trust, and (B) in
     respect of the Common Securities to the Holder thereof.

          (v)  Subject to the foregoing and applicable law (including, without
     limitation, United States federal securities laws), provided the acquiror
     is not the Holder of the Common Securities or the obligor under the
     Indenture, the Sponsor or any of its subsidiaries may at any time and from
     time to time purchase outstanding Preferred Securities by tender, in the
     open market or by private agreement.

          5.   Voting Rights - Preferred Securities.
               ------------------------------------ 

          (a)  Except as provided under Sections 5(b) and 7 and as otherwise
required by law and the Declaration, the Holders of the Preferred Securities
will have no voting rights.

          (b)  Subject to the requirements set forth in this paragraph, the
Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities, voting
separately as a class, may direct the time, method, and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Property Trustee, or exercising any
trust or power conferred upon the Property Trustee under the Declaration,
including (i) directing the time, method, place of conducting any proceeding for
any remedy available to the Subordinated Note Trustee, or exercising any trust
or power conferred on the Subordinated Note Trustee with respect to the
Subordinated Notes, (ii) waive any past default and its consequences that is
waivable under Section 6.04 of the Indenture, or (iii) exercise any right to
rescind or annul a declaration that the principal of all the Subordinated Notes
shall be due and payable, provided, however, that, where a consent under the
                          --------  -------      
Indenture would require the consent or act of the Holders of greater than a
majority in principal amount of Subordinated Notes affected thereby (a "Super
Majority"), the Property Trustee may only give such consent or take such action
at the direction of the Holders of at least the proportion in liquidation amount
of the Preferred Securities outstanding which the relevant Super Majority
represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated Notes
outstanding. The Property Trustee shall not revoke any action previously

                                     I-11
<PAGE>
 
authorized or approved by a vote of the Holders of the Preferred Securities.
Other than with respect to directing the time, method and place of conducting
any remedy available to the Property Trustee or the Subordinated Note Trustee as
set forth above, the Property Trustee shall not take any action in accordance
with the directions of the Holders of the Preferred Securities under this
paragraph unless the Property Trustee has obtained an opinion of tax counsel to
the effect that for the purposes of United States federal income tax the Trust
will not be classified as other than a grantor trust on account of such action.
If the Property Trustee fails to enforce its rights under the Declaration, any
Holder of Preferred Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against
any Person to enforce the Property Trustee's rights under the Declaration
without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Property Trustee or any
other Person. If an Event of Default occurs that results from the failure of the
Subordinated Note Issuer to pay principal of or interest on the Subordinated
Notes when due, then during the continuance of such Event of Default each Holder
of Preferred Securities may directly institute proceedings against the
Subordinated Note Issuer to obtain payment to such Holder of an amount equal to
the principal or interest so defaulted on with respect to Subordinated Notes in
a principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Preferred
Securities owned by such Holder. No Holder of Preferred Securities will be
entitled to exercise directly against the Subordinated Note Issuer any other
remedy available to the Property Trustee, as the record holder of the
Subordinated Notes, unless the Property Trustee first fails to exercise such
remedy.

          Any approval or direction of Holders of Preferred Securities may be
given at a separate meeting of Holders of Preferred Securities convened for such
purpose, at a meeting of all of the Holders of Securities in the Trust or
pursuant to written consent. The Regular Trustees will cause a notice of any
meeting at which Holders of Preferred Securities are entitled to vote, or of any
matter upon which action by written consent of such Holders is to be taken, to
be mailed to each Holder of record of Preferred Securities. Each such notice
will include a statement setting forth (i) the date of such meeting or the date
by which such action is to be taken, (ii) a description of any resolution
proposed for adoption at such meeting on which such Holders are

                                     I-12
<PAGE>
 
entitled to vote or of such matter upon which written consent is sought and
(iii) instructions for the delivery of proxies or consents.

          No vote or consent of the Holders of the Preferred Securities will be
required for the Trust to redeem and cancel Preferred Securities or to
distribute the Subordinated Notes in accordance with the Declaration and the
terms of the Securities.

          Notwithstanding that Holders of Preferred Securities are entitled to
vote or consent under any of the circumstances described above, any of the
Preferred Securities that are owned by the Sponsor or any Affiliate of the
Sponsor shall not be entitled to vote or consent and shall, for purposes of
such vote or consent, be treated as if they were not outstanding.

          6.   Voting Rights - Common Securities.
               --------------------------------- 

          (a)  Except as provided under Sections 6(b), (c) and 7 or as otherwise
required by law and the Declaration, the Holders of the Common Securities will
have no voting rights.

          (b)  The Holders of the Common Securities are entitled, in accordance
with Article V of the Declaration, to vote to appoint, remove or replace any
Trustee or to increase or decrease the number of Trustees.

          (c)  Subject to Section 2.6 of the Declaration and only after all
Events of Default with respect to the Preferred Securities have been cured,
waived, or otherwise eliminated and subject to the requirements of the
penultimate sentence of this paragraph, the Holders of a Majority in liquidation
amount of the Common Securities, voting separately as a class, may direct the
time, method, and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to
the Property Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the
Property Trustee under the Declaration, including (i) directing the time,
method, place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the
Subordinated Note Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the
Subordinated Note Trustee with respect to the Subordinated Notes, (ii) waive any
past default and its consequences that is waivable under Section 6.04 of the
Indenture, or (iii) exercise 

                                     I-13
<PAGE>
 
any right to rescind or annul a declaration that the principal of all the
Subordinated Notes shall be due and payable, provided that, where a consent or
                                             -------- ----                    
action under the Indenture would require the consent or act of the Holders of a
Super Majority, the Property Trustee may only give such consent or take such
action at the direction of the Holders of at least the proportion in liquidation
amount of the Common Securities outstanding which the relevant Super Majority
represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated Notes
outstanding. Notwithstanding any vote pursuant to this Section 6(c), the
Property Trustee shall not revoke any action previously authorized or approved
by a vote of the Holders of the Preferred Securities. Other than with respect to
directing the time, method and place of conducting any remedy available to the
Property Trustee or the Subordinated Note Trustee as set forth above, the
Property Trustee shall not take any action in accordance with the directions of
the Holders of the Common Securities under this paragraph unless the Property
Trustee has obtained an opinion of tax counsel to the effect that for the
purposes of United States federal income tax the Trust will not be classified as
other than a grantor trust on account of such action. If the Property Trustee
fails to enforce its rights under the Declaration, any Holder of Common
Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against any Person to
enforce the Property Trustee's rights under the Declaration, without first
instituting a legal proceeding against the Property Trustee or any other Person.

          Any approval or direction of Holders of Common Securities may be
given at a separate meeting of Holders of Common Securities convened for such
purpose, at a meeting of all of the Holders of Securities in the Trust or
pursuant to written consent. The Regular Trustees will cause a notice of any
meeting at which Holders of Common Securities are entitled to vote, or of any
matter upon which action by written consent of such Holders is to be taken, to
be mailed to each Holder of record of Common Securities. Each such notice will
include a statement setting forth (i) the date of such meeting or the date by
which such action is to be taken, (ii) a description of any resolution proposed
for adoption at such meeting on which such Holders are entitled to vote or of
such matter upon which written consent is sought and (iii) instructions for the
delivery of proxies or consents.

                                     I-14
<PAGE>
 
          No vote or consent of the Holders of the Common Securities will be
required for the Trust to redeem and cancel Common Securities or to distribute
the Subordinated Notes in accordance with the Declaration and the terms of the
Securities.

          7.   Amendments to Declaration and Indenture.
               --------------------------------------- 

          (a)  In addition to any requirements under Section 12.1 of the
Declaration, if any proposed amendment to the Declaration provides for, or the
Regular Trustees otherwise propose to effect, (i) any action that would
adversely affect the powers, preferences or special rights of the Securities,
whether by way of amendment to the Declaration or otherwise, or (ii) the
dissolution, winding-up or termination of the Trust, other than under the
circumstances described in Section 8.1 of the Declaration, then the Holders of
outstanding Securities will be entitled to vote on such amendment or proposal
(but not on any other amendment or proposal) and such amendment or proposal
shall not be effective except with the approval of the Holders of at least a
Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities, voting together as a single
class; provided, however, if any amendment or proposal referred to in clause (i)
above would adversely affect only the Preferred Securities or only the Common
Securities, then only the affected class will be entitled to vote on such
amendment or proposal and such amendment or proposal shall not be effective
except with the approval of a Majority in liquidation amount of such class of
Securities.

          (b)  In the event the consent of the Property Trustee as the holder of
the Subordinated Notes is required under the Indenture with respect to any
amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture or the Subordinated
Notes, the Property Trustee shall request the direction of the Holders of the
Securities with respect to such amendment, modification or termination and
shall vote with respect to such amendment, modification or termination as
directed by a Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities voting together
as a single class; provided, however, that where a consent under the Indenture
                   --------  -------
would require the consent of the holders of a Super Majority, the Property
Trustee may only give such consent at the direction of the Holders of at least
the proportion in liquidation amount of the Securities which the relevant Super
Majority represents of the

                                     I-15
<PAGE>
 
aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated Notes outstanding; provided,
                                                                  -------- 
further, that the Property Trustee shall not take any action in accordance with
- -------                                                                        
the directions of the Holders of the Securities under this Section 7(b) unless
the Property Trustee has obtained an opinion of tax counsel to the effect that
for the purposes of United States federal income tax the Trust will not be
classified as other than a grantor trust on account of such action.

     8.   Pro Rata.
          -------- 

     A reference in these terms of the Securities to any payment, distribution
or treatment as being "Pro Rata" shall mean pro rata to each Holder of
Securities according to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Securities held
by the relevant Holder in relation to the aggregate liquidation amount of all
Securities outstanding unless, in relation to a payment, an Event of Default
under the Declaration in respect of the Preferred Securities has occurred and is
continuing, in which case any funds available to make such payment shall be paid
first to each Holder of the Preferred Securities pro rata according to the
aggregate liquidation amount of Preferred Securities held by the relevant Holder
relative to the aggregate liquidation amount of all Preferred Securities
outstanding, and only after satisfaction of all amounts owed to the Holders of
the Preferred Securities, then to each Holder of Common Securities pro rata
according to the aggregate liquidation amount of Common Securities held by the
relevant Holder relative to the aggregate liquidation amount of all Common
Securities outstanding.

     9.   Ranking.
          ------- 

     The Preferred Securities rank pari passu, and payment thereon shall be made
                                   ---- -----                                   
Pro Rata, with the Common Securities except that, where an Event of Default
occurs and is continuing under the Indenture in respect of the Subordinated
Notes held by the Property Trustee, the rights of Holders of the Common
Securities to payment in respect of Distributions and payments upon liquidation,
redemption and otherwise are subordinated to the rights to payment of the
Holders of the Preferred Securities.

     10.  Listing.
          ------- 

                                     I-16
<PAGE>
 
     The Regular Trustees shall use their best efforts to cause the Preferred
Securities to be listed for quotation on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.

     11.  Acceptance of Securities Guarantee and Indenture.
          ------------------------------------------------ 

     Each Holder of Preferred Securities and Common Securities, by the
acceptance thereof, agrees to the provisions of the Preferred Securities
Guarantee and the Common Securities Guarantee, respectively, including the
subordination provisions therein and to the provisions of the Indenture.

     12.  No Preemptive Rights.
          -------------------- 

     The Holders of the Securities shall have no preemptive rights to subscribe
for any additional securities.

     13.  Miscellaneous.
          ------------- 

     These terms constitute a part of the Declaration.

     The Sponsor will provide a copy of the Declaration, the Preferred
Securities Guarantee or the Common Securities Guarantee (as may be appropriate)
and the Indenture to a Holder without charge on written request to the Sponsor
at its principal place of business.

                                     I-17
<PAGE>
 
                                  EXHIBIT A-1

                     FORM OF PREFERRED SECURITY CERTIFICATE



     [IF THE PREFERRED SECURITY IS TO BE A GLOBAL CERTIFICATE INSERT - This
Preferred Security is a Global Certificate within the meaning of the Declaration
hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of The Depository Trust
Company (the "Depositary") or a nominee of the Depositary.  This Preferred
Security is exchangeable for Preferred Securities registered in the name of a
person other than the Depositary or its nominee only in the limited
circumstances described in the Declaration and no transfer of this Preferred
Security (other than a transfer of this Preferred Security as a whole by the
Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary or by a nominee of the Depositary to
the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary) may be registered except in
limited circumstances.

     Unless this Preferred Security is presented by an authorized representative
of The Depository Trust Company (55 Water Street, New York, New York) to the
Trust or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any
Preferred Security issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or such other
name as requested by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust
Company and any payment hereon is made to Cede & Co., ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR
OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY A PERSON IS WRONGFUL since the
registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.]

Certificate Number                                Number of Preferred Securities
 
                                               CUSIP NO. [           ]


                  Certificate Evidencing Preferred Securities

                                      of

                        TCI Communications Financing VI

                                     A1-1
<PAGE>
 
                  ____% Trust Originated Preferred Securities
                (liquidation amount $25 per Preferred Security)

     TCI Communications Financing VI, a statutory business trust formed under
the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), hereby certifies that
______________ (the "Holder") is the registered owner of _______ preferred
securities of the Trust representing an undivided beneficial interest in the
assets of the Trust designated the _____% Trust Originated Preferred Securities
(liquidation amount $25 per Preferred Security) (the "Preferred Securities").
The Preferred Securities are transferable on the books and records of the Trust,
in person or by a duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this certificate
duly endorsed and in proper form for transfer. The designations, rights,
privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the
Preferred Securities are set forth in, and this certificate and the Preferred
Securities represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to
the terms and provisions of, the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of
the Trust dated as of _______, 199_, as the same may be amended from time to
time (the "Declaration") including the designation of the terms of Preferred
Securities as set forth in Annex I to the Declaration. The Preferred Securities
and the Common Securities issued by the Trust pursuant to the Declaration
represent undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust, including
the Subordinated Notes (as defined in the Declaration) issued by TCI
Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("TCIC"), to the Trust pursuant to
the Indenture referred to in the Declaration. The Holder is entitled to the
benefits of the Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement of TCIC dated as of
___________, 199_ (the "Guarantee") to the extent provided therein. The Trust
will furnish a copy of the Declaration, the Guarantee and the Indenture to the
Holder without charge upon written request to the Trust at its principal place
of business or registered office.

     The Holder of this certificate, by accepting his certificate, is deemed to
have (i) agreed to the terms of the Indenture and the Subordinated Notes,
including that the Subordinated Notes are subordinate and junior in right to
payment to all Senior Indebtedness (as defined in the Indenture) as and to the
extent provided in the Indenture and (ii) agreed to the terms of the Guarantee,
including that the Guarantee is (x) subordinate and

                                     A1-2
<PAGE>
 
junior in right to payment to all other liabilities of TCIC, including the
Subordinated Notes, except those made pari passu or subordinated by their terms,
and (y) pari passu with the most senior preferred or preference stock now or
hereafter issued by TCIC and with any guarantee now or hereafter entered into by
TCIC in respect of any preferred or preference stock of any affiliate of TCIC.

     Upon receipt of this certificate, the Holder is bound by the Declaration
and is entitled to the benefits thereunder.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the regular trustees of the Trust have executed this
certificate for and on behalf of the Trust.



                         Dated:

                         COUNTERSIGNED AND REGISTERED:

                         THE BANK OF NEW YORK
                              (New York, New York)
                         Transfer Agent and Registrar


                         By:________________________________
                                 Authorized Signature



                         TCI COMMUNICATIONS FINANCING VI


                         By: _______________________________
                                 Regular Trustee

                         By: _______________________________
                                 Regular Trustee

                                     A1-3
<PAGE>
 
     The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of
this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full
according to applicable laws or regulations:

TEN COM --as tenants in common           UNIF GIFT ACT --_______Custodian_______
TEN ENT --as tenants by the entireties                   (Cust)          (Minor)
JT TEN  --as joint tenants with right of           Under Uniform Gifts to Minors
     survivorship and not as tenants               Act _____________________
     in common                                           (State)



    Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

                                     A1-4
<PAGE>
 
                             _____________________


                                   ASSIGNMENT

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers this to:
_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________
          PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER



_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________
               Please print or typewrite name(s) and address(es)
                  including postal zip code(s), of assignee(s)


and irrevocably appoints
of the Preferred Securities represented by this Certificate
_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________ attorney to transfer 
such Preferred Securities on the books of the Trust. The attorney may substitute
another to act for him or her.


Date: _______________________

Signature: __________________
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Preferred Security
Certificate)


Signature: __________________
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Preferred Security
Certificate)


*IMPORTANT READ CAREFULLY!

     The signature(s) to this assignment must correspond with the name(s) as
written upon the face of the certificate in every

                                     A1-5
<PAGE>
 
particular without alteration, enlargement or change whatsoever. The
signature(s) of the person(s) executing this power must be guaranteed by an
eligible guarantor institution which, at the time of issuing the guarantee, is a
member of, or a participant in the medallion signature guarantee program
recognized by the Securities Transfer Association.

                                     A1-6
<PAGE>
 
                                  EXHIBIT A-2

                      FORM OF COMMON SECURITY CERTIFICATE


Certificate Number                                   Number of Common Securities
 

                   Certificate Evidencing Common Securities

                                      of

                        TCI Communications Financing VI


                  ______% Trust Originated Common Securities
                 (liquidation amount $25 per Common Security)


     TCI Communications Financing VI, a statutory business trust formed under
the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), hereby certifies that
_________________ (the "Holder") is the registered owner of common securities of
the Trust representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust
designated the ______% Trust Originated Common Securities (liquidation amount
$25 per Common Security) (the "Common Securities"). The Common Securities are
transferable on the books and records of the Trust, in person or by a duly
authorized attorney, upon surrender of this certificate duly endorsed and in
proper form for transfer. The designation, rights, privileges, restrictions,
preferences and other terms and provisions of the Common Securities represented
hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to the provisions of the
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust dated as of _______, 
199_, as the same may be amended from time to time (the "Declaration"),
including the designation of the terms of the Common Securities as set forth in
Annex I to the Declaration. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall
have the meaning given them in the Declaration. The Holder is entitled to the
benefits of the Common Securities Guarantee to the extent provided therein. The
Sponsor will provide a copy of the Declaration, the Common Securities Guarantee
and the Indenture to a Holder without charge upon written request to the Sponsor
at its principal place of business.

                                     A2-1
<PAGE>
 
          Upon receipt of this certificate, the Sponsor is bound by the
Declaration and is entitled to the benefits thereunder.

          By acceptance, the Holder agrees to treat, for United States federal
income tax purposes, the Subordinated Notes as indebtedness and the Common
Securities as evidence of indirect beneficial ownership in the Subordinated
Notes.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has executed this certificate this __ day of
____________, 199__.


                              TCI COMMUNICATIONS FINANCING VI



                              By: _________________________
                              Name:
                              Title:

                                     A2-2
<PAGE>
 
                             _____________________


                                  ASSIGNMENT

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers this Common Security
Certificate to:

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______

(Insert assignee's name and social security or tax identification number)

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______

(Insert address and zip code of assignee)

and irrevocably appoints 
________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________ agent to transfer this Common
Security Certificate on the books of the Trust. The agent may substitute another
to act for him or her.

Date: _______________________

Signature: __________________
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Common Security
Certificate)

                                     A2-3
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT B

                         SPECIMEN OF SUBORDINATED NOTE

                                      B-1
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT C

                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

                                      C-1

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.13

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



                           TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

                                      AND

                             THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
                                         Trustee



                             _____________________

                                   INDENTURE

                         Dated as of January 29, 1996

                             _____________________

                            Subordinated Securities



================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
                             CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   TIA                                                             INDENTURE
 SECTION                                                            SECTION
 <S>       <C>                                                <C> 
   310     (a)(1)............................................ 7.10
           (a)(2)............................................ 7.10
           (a)(3)............................................ N.A.
           (a)(4)............................................ N.A.
           (b)............................................... 7.08; 7.10
           (c)............................................... N.A.
   311     (a)............................................... 7.11
           (b)............................................... 7.11
           (c)............................................... N.A.
   312     (a)............................................... 2.07
           (b)............................................... N.A.
           (c)............................................... N.A.
   313     (a)............................................... 7.06
           (b)(1)............................................ N.A.
           (b)(2)............................................ 7.06
           (c)............................................... N.A.
           (d)............................................... 7.06
   314     (a)............................................... 4.02
           (b)............................................... N.A.
           (c)(1)............................................ N.A.
           (c)(2)............................................ N.A.
           (c)(3)............................................ N.A.
           (d)............................................... N.A.
           (e)............................................... 11.05
           (f)............................................... N.A.
   315     (a)............................................... 7.01(b)
           (b)............................................... 7.05
           (c)............................................... 7.01(a)
           (d)............................................... 7.01(c)
           (e)............................................... 6.11
   316     (a)(last sentence)................................ N.A.
           (a)(1)(A)......................................... 6.05
           (a)(1)(B)......................................... 6.04
           (a)(2)............................................ N.A.
           (b)............................................... 6.07
   317     (a)(1)............................................ 6.08
           (a)(2)............................................ 6.09
           (b)............................................... 2.06
   318     (a)............................................... N.A.
</TABLE>
- --------------------

N.A. means Not Applicable.               This Cross-Reference Table does
                                         not constitute part of the Indenture
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
                               -----------------

                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
ARTICLE ONE

                   Definitions and Incorporation by Reference
<TABLE>
<S>                   <C>                                                   <C>
     Section 1.01.    Definitions.......................................    1
     Section 1.02.    Other Definitions.................................    3
     Section 1.03.    Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.    4
     Section 1.04.    Rules of Construction.............................    4


ARTICLE TWO

                                The Securities

     Section 2.01.    Forms Generally and Dating........................    4
     Section 2.02.    Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series..............    6
     Section 2.03.    Denominations.....................................    8
     Section 2.04.    Execution and Authentication......................    8
     Section 2.05.    Registrar and Paying Agent........................   11
     Section 2.06.    Paying Agent to Hold Money and Securities in Trust   11
     Section 2.07.    Securityholder Lists..............................   12
     Section 2.08.    Transfer and Exchange.............................   12
     Section 2.09.    Replacement Securities............................   15
     Section 2.10.    Outstanding Securities............................   15
     Section 2.11.    Temporary Securities..............................   16
     Section 2.12.    Cancellation......................................   16
     Section 2.13.    Payment of Interest; Defaulted Interest...........   17
     Section 2.14.    Persons Deemed Owners.............................   17
     Section 2.15.    Securities in Global Form.........................   18
     Section 2.16.    CUSIP Numbers.....................................   19 

ARTICLE THREE

                                  Redemption

     Section 3.01.    Applicability of Article..........................   19
     Section 3.02.    Notices to Trustee................................   19
     Section 3.03.    Selection of Securities to be Redeemed............   20
     Section 3.04.    Notice of Redemption..............................   20
     Section 3.05.    Effect of Notice of Redemption....................   21
     Section 3.06.    Deposit of Redemption Price.......................   21
     Section 3.07.    Securities Redeemed in Part.......................   22
</TABLE>

                                       i
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
                               -----------------  
                                  (continued)


ARTICLE FOUR

                                   Covenants
<TABLE>                                                                  Page
                                                                         ----
<S>                 <C>                                                  <C>
     Section 4.01.  Payment of Securities..............................    22
     Section 4.02.  SEC Reports........................................    22
     Section 4.03.  Compliance Certificate.............................    23
     Section 4.04.  Corporate Existence................................    23
     Section 4.05.  Calculation of Original Issue Discount.............    23

ARTICLE FIVE

                             Successor Corporation


     Section 5.01.  When Company May Merge, etc........................    23

ARTICLE SIX

                             Defaults and Remedies


     Section 6.01.  Events of Default...................................   24
     Section 6.02.  Acceleration........................................   25
     Section 6.03.  Other Remedies......................................   26
     Section 6.04.  Waiver of Existing Defaults.........................   26
     Section 6.05.  Control by Majority.................................   26
     Section 6.06.  Limitation of Suits.................................   26
     Section 6.07.  Rights of Holders to Receive Payment and to Convert.   27
     Section 6.08.  Collection Suit by Trustee..........................   27
     Section 6.09.  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim....................   28
     Section 6.10.  Priorities..........................................   28
     Section 6.11.  Undertaking for Costs...............................   28

ARTICLE SEVEN

                                    Trustee


     Section 7.01.  Duties of Trustee...................................   29
     Section 7.02.  Rights of Trustee...................................   30
     Section 7.03.  Individual Rights of Trustee........................   30
     Section 7.04.  Trustee's Disclaimer................................   30
     Section 7.05.  Notice of Defaults..................................   31
     Section 7.06.  Reports by Trustee to Holders.......................   31
</TABLE> 

                                      ii
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
                               -----------------
                                  (continued)

<TABLE>                                                                Page 
                                                                       ----
<S>                   <C>                                              <C>
     Section 7.07.    Compensation and Indemnity.......................  31
     Section 7.08.    Replacement of Trustee...........................  32
     Section 7.09.    Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.................  33
     Section 7.10.    Eligibility; Disqualification....................  33
     Section 7.11.    Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company  33

ARTICLE EIGHT

                             Discharge of Indenture

     Section 8.01.    Termination of Company's Obligations.............  34
     Section 8.02.    Application of Trust Fund........................  35
     Section 8.03.    Repayment to Company.............................  35

ARTICLE NINE

                      Amendments, Supplements and Waivers


     Section 9.01.    Without Consent of Holders........................ 35
     Section 9.02.    With Consent of Holders........................... 36
     Section 9.03.    Compliance with the Trust Indenture Act........... 38
     Section 9.04.    Revocation and Effect of Consents................. 38
     Section 9.05.    Notation on or Exchange of Securities............. 38
     Section 9.06.    Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc................... 38

ARTICLE TEN

                                 Subordination

     Section 10.01.   Subordination Terms............................... 39

ARTICLE ELEVEN

                                 Miscellaneous

     Section 11.01.   Trust Indenture Act Controls...................... 39
     Section 11.02.   Notices........................................... 39
     Section 11.03.   Communication by Holders with Other Holders....... 40
     Section 11.04.   Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent 40
     Section 11.05.   Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion..... 40
     Section 11.06.   When Treasury Securities Disregarded.............. 41
     Section 11.07.   Rules by Trustee and Agents....................... 41
</TABLE>
                                      iii
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
                               -----------------
                                  (continued)
                                                                         Page
<TABLE>                                                                  ----
<S>                    <C>                                               <C>
     Section 11.08.    Legal Holidays....................................  41
     Section 11.09.    Governing Law.....................................  41
     Section 11.10.    No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.....  42
     Section 11.11.    No Recourse Against Others........................  42
     Section 11.12.    Successors........................................  42
     Section 11.13.    Duplicate Originals...............................  42
     Section 11.14.    Table of Contents, Headings, Etc..................  42
     Section 11.15.    Acts of Holders...................................  42
     Section 11.16.            Assignment................................  43
</TABLE>

                                      iv
<PAGE>
 
               INDENTURE dated as of January 29, 1996, between TCI
COMMUNICATIONS, INC., a Delaware corporation ("Company"), and THE BANK OF NEW
YORK, a New York banking corporation ("Trustee").


               The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of
this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its unsecured
subordinated debentures, notes, bonds or other evidences of subordinated
indebtedness ("Securities"), to be issued in one or more series as provided in
this Indenture.

               Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other party
and for the equal and ratable benefit of the respective Holders from time to
time of Securities or of series thereof:

                                  ARTICLE ONE

                  Definitions and Incorporation by Reference

Section 1.01.  Definitions.

               Affiliate of any Person means any other Person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such Person.

               Agent means any Registrar, Paying Agent or co-Registrar. See
Section 2.05.

               Board of Directors means the Board of Directors of the Company or
any authorized committee thereof.

               Business Day means any day which is not a Legal Holiday.

               Company means the party named as such in this Indenture until a
successor replaces it pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture
and thereafter means the successor.

               Holder or Securityholder means the person in whose name a
Security is registered on the Registrar's books.

               Indenture means this Indenture as amended or supplemented from
time to time and, unless the context indicates otherwise, shall include the form
and terms of a particular series of Securities established as contemplated
hereunder.

               interest, when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount
Security which by its terms bears interest only after maturity or upon default
in any other payment due on such Security, means interest payable after maturity
or upon such default, as the case may be.

                                       1

<PAGE>
 
               Interest Payment Date means the date, if any, specified in the
Securities of any series as the fixed date on which any installment of interest
on the Securities of that series is due and payable.

               Officer means the Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice
President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Company.

               Officers' Certificate means a certificate signed by two Officers
or by an Officer and an Assistant Treasurer or an Assistant Secretary of the
Company and delivered to the Trustee. See Sections 11.04 and 11.05.

               Opinion of Counsel means a written opinion from legal counsel who
is acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to
the Company or the Trustee. See Sections 11.04 and 11.05.

               original issue discount of any debt security, including any
Original Issue Discount Security, means the difference between the principal
amount of such debt security and the initial issue price of such debt security
(as set forth, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, on the face
of such Security).

               Original Issue Discount Security means any Security which
provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and
payable upon acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02.

               Person means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited
liability company, joint venture, joint-stock company, unincorporated
association or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

               Predecessor Securities means, with respect to any Security, every
previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced
by such particular Security, and, for the purpose of this definition, any
Security authenticated and delivered under Section 2.09 in exchange for or in
lieu of a mutilated, lost, destroyed or wrongfully-taken Security shall be
deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, lost, destroyed or 
wrongfully taken Security.

               principal of a debt security, including any Security, means the
amount (including, without limitation, if and to the extent applicable, any
premium and, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, any accrued
original issue discount, but excluding interest) that is payable with respect to
such debt security as of any date and for any purpose (including, without
limitation, in connection with any sinking fund, upon any redemption at the
option of the Company, upon any purchase or exchange at the option of the
Company or the holder of such debt security and upon any acceleration of the
maturity of such debt security).

                                       2

<PAGE>
 
               principal amount of a debt security, including any Security,
means the principal amount as set forth on the face of such debt security.

               Regular Record Date means the date, if any, specified in the
Securities of any series as the record date for the determination of
Securityholders to whom interest is payable on the next succeeding Interest
Payment Date.

               SEC means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

               Securities means the Securities that are issued from time to time
in one or more series under this Indenture as such Securities are amended or
supplemented from time to time.

               Subsidiary means a corporation a majority of whose voting stock
is owned by the Company and/or one or more Subsidiaries. Voting stock is capital
stock having voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect directors.

               TIA means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code (S)(S)
77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of this Indenture, except as provided in
Section 9.03.

               Trustee means the party named as such in this Indenture until a
successor replaces it and thereafter means the successor and if at any time
there is more than one such party, "Trustee" as used with respect to the
Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of
that series.

               Trust Officer means any officer or assistant officer in the
corporate trust department of the Trustee assigned by the Trustee to administer
its corporate trust matters.

               United States means the United States of America.

               U.S. Government Obligations means direct obligations of, or
obligations entitled to the full faith and credit of, the United States.

Section 1.02.  Other Definitions.
 
          TERM                         DEFINED IN SECTION
          Bankruptcy Law                       6.01
          Code                                 9.01
          Custodian                            6.01
          Event of Default                     6.01
          Legal Holiday                       11.08
          Paying Agent                         2.05
          Registrar                            2.05

                                      3

<PAGE>
 
Section 1.03.  Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.

               Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the
provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The
following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

               Commission means the SEC.

               indenture securities means the Securities.

               indenture security holder means a Securityholder.

               indenture to be qualified means this Indenture.

               indenture trustee or institutional trustee means the Trustee.

               obligor on the indenture securities means the Company and any
other obligor thereon.

Section 1.04.  Rules of Construction.

               Unless the context otherwise requires:

                    (1)  a term has the meaning assigned to it;

                    (2)  an accounting term not otherwise defined has the
               meaning assigned to it in accordance with generally accepted
               accounting principles in effect on the date of this Indenture;

                    (3)  "or" is not exclusive; and

                    (4)  words in the singular include the plural, and in the
               plural include the singular.

                                       4

<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE TWO

                                The Securities

Section 2.01.  Forms Generally and Dating.

               The Securities of each series may be issued in whole or in part
in the form of one or more global Securities as shall be specified as
contemplated by Section 2.02.

               The Securities of each series (including any temporary global
Securities) shall be in one of the forms established from time to time by or
pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors or in or pursuant to one or
more indentures supplemental hereto, which shall set forth the information
required by Section 2.02. The Securities shall have such appropriate insertions,
omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by
this Indenture or by a resolution of the Board of Directors or indenture
supplemental hereto and may have such notations, legends or endorsements as the
Company may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of
this Indenture, or as may be required by law, stock exchange rule or usage. The
Company shall approve the forms of the Securities and any notation, legend or
endorsement on them. If the form or forms of Securities of any series is
established by action taken pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors
or indenture supplemental hereto, a copy of an appropriate record of such action
shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and
delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the written order of the
Company contemplated by Section 2.04 for the authentication and delivery of such
Securities.

               Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. The
form of the Trustee's certificate of authentication to be borne by the
Securities shall be substantially as follows:


                         CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

               This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein
referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

                             THE BANK OF NEW YORK


                                       as Trustee


                             By:  ___________________________________
                                  Authorized Signatory

                                       5

<PAGE>
 
Section 2.02.  Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.

               The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be
authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

               The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall
be established in or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors or
established in or pursuant to one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior
to the issuance of Securities of any series:

                    (1)  the title of the Securities of the Series (which shall
               distinguish Securities of the series from all other Securities);

                    (2)  any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of
               Securities of the series which may be authenticated and delivered
               under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and
               delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for,
               or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to
               Sections 2.08, 2.09, 2.11, 3.07 or 9.05 and except for any
               Securities which pursuant to Section 2.04 are deemed not to have
               been authenticated and delivered hereunder);

                    (3)  (A) whether any of the Securities of the series are to
               be issuable in global form and, if so, (i) the identity of the
               depositary with respect to any such global Security and (ii)
               whether beneficial owners of interests in any such global
               Security may exchange such interests for Securities of the same
               series and of like tenor and of any authorized form and
               denomination, and, if so, the circumstances under which and the
               manner in which any such exchanges may occur, if other than as
               specified in Section 2.08; (B) if any of the Securities of the
               series are to be issuable in global form, the date as of which
               any global Security shall be dated (if other than the date of
               original issuance of the first of such Securities to be issued);
               and (C) if Securities of the series are to be issuable in
               definitive form (whether upon original issue, upon exchange of a
               temporary Security of such series, or in exchange for a
               beneficial ownership interest in a permanent global Security)
               only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or
               satisfaction of other conditions, or if Securities of the series
               are initially issuable in temporary global form and if owners of
               beneficial interests therein may exchange such interest for an
               interest in a permanent global Security only upon receipt of
               certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other
               conditions, then the form and/or terms of such certificates,
               documents or conditions;

                    (4) the date or dates (and whether fixed or extendible) on
               which the principal of Securities of the series is payable;

                                       6

<PAGE>
 
                    (5)  the rate or rates at which Securities of the series
               shall bear interest, or the method of determining the same, if
               any, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, or
               the method of determining the same, if any, the Interest Payment
               Dates (and whether fixed or extendible) and the Regular Record
               Dates;

                    (6)  the place or places where the principal of and any
               interest on Securities of the series shall be payable;

                    (7)  any provisions relating to the issuance of Securities
               of such series at an original issue discount (including, without
               limitation, the issue price thereof, the rate or rates at which
               such original issue discount shall accrue, if any, and the date
               or dates from or to which or period or periods during which such
               original issue discount shall accrue at such rate or rates);

                    (8)  the price or prices at which, the period or periods
               within which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities
               of the series may be redeemed or otherwise purchased, in whole or
               in part, at the option of the Company, pursuant to any sinking
               fund or otherwise (including, without limitation, the form or
               method of payment thereof if other than in cash);

                    (9)  the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem,
               purchase or repay Securities of the series pursuant to any
               sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a
               Securityholder thereof and the price or prices at which and the
               period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon
               which Securities of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or
               repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation
               (including, without limitation, the form or method of payment
               thereof, if other than in cash);

                    (10) if other than denominations of $25 and any integral
               multiple thereof, the denominations in which Securities of the
               series shall be issuable;

                    (11) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion
               of the principal amount of Securities of the series which shall
               be payable upon acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to
               Section 6.02 or provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 6.09;

                    (12) any Events of Default with respect to the Securities of
               a particular series in lieu of or in addition to those set forth
               herein and the remedies therefor;

                    (13) the terms of the subordination of Securities of the
               series; and

                                       7

<PAGE>
 
                    (14) any other terms of a particular series and any other
               provisions expressing or referring to the terms and conditions
               upon which the Securities of that series are to be issued under
               this Indenture, which terms and provisions are not in conflict
               with the provisions of this Indenture; provided, however, the
               addition to or subtraction from or variation of Articles Four,
               Five, Six and Eight (and Sections 1.01 and 1.02, insofar as they
               relate to the definition of certain terms as used in such
               Articles) with regard to the Securities of a particular series
               shall not be deemed to constitute a conflict with the provisions
               of those Articles.

               All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical
except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant
to such resolution of the Board of Directors or in any such indenture
supplemental hereto. Not all Securities of any one series need be issued at the
same time, and, unless otherwise so provided, a series may be reopened for
issuances of additional Securities of such series.

               If any of the terms of the Securities of a series are established
by action taken pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors or indenture
supplemental hereto, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be
certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and
delivered to the Trustee with an Officers' Certificate setting forth the terms
or the manner of determining the terms of the Securities of such series. With
respect to Securities of a series which are not to be issued at one time, such
resolution of the Board of Directors or action may provide general terms or
parameters for Securities of such series and provide either that the specific
terms of particular Securities of such series shall be specified in a written
order of the Company or that such terms shall be determined by the Company or
its agents in accordance with a written order of the Company as contemplated by
the proviso clause of the fourth paragraph of Section 2.04.

Section 2.03.  Denominations.

               The Securities of each series shall be issuable in registered
form without coupons in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated
by Section 2.02. In the absence of any such provisions with respect to the
Securities of any series, the securities of such series shall be issuable in
denominations of $25 and any integral multiple thereof.

Section 2.04.  Execution and Authentication.

               Two Officers shall sign the Securities for the Company by manual
or facsimile signature. The Company's seal shall be reproduced on the
Securities.

               If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds
that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Security, the Security
shall be valid nevertheless.

                                       8

<PAGE>
 
               A Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under this
Indenture or be valid for any purpose until the Trustee manually signs the
certificate of authentication on the Security. The signature shall be conclusive
evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this Indenture.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security shall have been duly
authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company,
and the Company shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as
provided in Section 2.12 together with a written statement (which need not
comply with Sections 11.04 and 11.05 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion
of Counsel) stating that such Security has not been issued and sold by the
Company, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed not to
have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall not be entitled to the
benefits of this Indenture.

               At any time and from time to time after the execution and
delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series
executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, and the Trustee shall
authenticate and deliver said Securities to or upon the written order of the
Company, signed by two Officers or by an Officer and an Assistant Treasurer of
the Company, without any further action by the Company. Such written order shall
specify the date on which said Securities shall be authenticated; provided,
however, that if not all the Securities of a series are to be issued at one time
and if the resolution of the Board of Directors or indenture supplemental hereto
establishing such series as contemplated by Sections 2.01 and 2.02 shall so
permit, such written order may set forth procedures acceptable to the Trustee
for the issuance of such Securities and for determining the form or terms of
particular Securities of such series including, but not limited to, interest
rate, maturity date, date of issuance and date from which interest shall accrue.

               If the form or forms or terms of the Securities of the series
have been established in or pursuant to one or more resolutions of the Board of
Directors or indentures supplemental hereto as permitted by Sections 2.01 and
2.02, in authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional
responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the
Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be
fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating:

                    (1)  if the form or forms of such Securities has been
               established by or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of
               Directors or indenture supplemental hereto, that such form or
               forms has been established in conformity with the provisions of
               this Indenture;

                    (2)  if the terms of such Securities have been established
               by or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors or
               indenture supplemental hereto, that such terms have been
               established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;
               and

                    (3)  that such Securities, when authenticated and delivered
               by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and
               subject to any 

                                       9

<PAGE>
 
               conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will have been
               duly issued and will constitute valid and legally binding
               obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their
               terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance,
               reorganization and other laws of general applicability relating
               to or affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights and to
               general equitable principles;

provided, however, that, with respect to Securities of a series which are not to
be issued at one time, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive such Opinion of
Counsel only once at or prior to the time of the first authentication of
Securities of such series and that the opinions described in clauses (2) and (3)
above may state, respectively,

                    (a)  that, when the terms of such Securities shall have been
               established pursuant to a written order of the Company or
               pursuant to such procedures as may be specified from time to time
               by a written order of the Company, all as contemplated by and in
               accordance with a resolution of the Board of Directors or an
               Officers' Certificate pursuant to a resolution of the Board of
               Directors or indenture supplemental hereto, as the case may be,
               such terms will have been established in conformity with the
               provisions of this Indenture; and

                    (b)  that such Securities, when (i) executed by the Company,
               (ii) completed, authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in
               accordance with this Indenture, (iii) issued and delivered by the
               Company and (iv) paid for, all as contemplated by and in
               accordance with the aforesaid written order of the Company or
               specified procedures, as the case may be, will have been duly
               issued and will constitute valid and legally binding obligations
               of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms,
               subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance,
               reorganization and other laws of general applicability relating
               to or affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights and to
               general equitable principles.

               Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 2.01, 2.02, 11.04 and
this Section, if all the Securities of a series are not to be originally issued
at one time, the resolution of the Board of Directors or indenture supplemental
hereto, and certified copy of the record of action taken pursuant to such
resolution or supplemental indenture, the Officers' Certificate, the written
order of the Company and any other documents otherwise required pursuant to such
Sections need not be delivered at or prior to the time of authentication of each
Security of such series if such documents are delivered at or prior to the
authentication upon original issuance of the first Security of such series to be
issued; provided, however, that any subsequent request by the Company to the
Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series shall constitute a
representation and warranty by the Company that as of the date of such request,
the statements made in the Officers' Certificate delivered pursuant to Section
11.04 at

                                      10

<PAGE>
 
or prior to authentication of the first such Security shall be true and correct
on the date thereof as if made on and as of the date thereof.

               The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and
make available for delivery any Securities under this Section if the issuance of
such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee's own rights,
duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a
manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

               With respect to Securities of a series which are not all issued
at one time, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the authorization by the
Company of any of such Securities, the form and terms thereof and the legality,
validity, binding effect and enforceability thereof, upon the Opinion of
Counsel, Officers' Certificate and other documents delivered pursuant to
Sections 2.01, 2.02, 11.04 and this Section, as applicable, at or prior to the
time of the first authentication of Securities of such series unless and until
such opinion, certificate or other documents have been superseded or revoked. In
connection with the authentication and delivery of Securities of a series which
are not all issued at one time, the Trustee shall be entitled to assume that the
Company's instructions to authenticate and deliver such Securities do not
violate any rules, regulations or orders of any governmental agency or
commission having jurisdiction over the Company.

Section 2.05.  Registrar and Paying Agent.

               The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Securities
of each series may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange
("Registrar"), and an office or agency where Securities of each series may be
presented for payment ("Paying Agent"). The Registrar shall keep a register of
the Securities of each series issued hereunder and of their transfer and
exchange. The Company may have one or more co-Registrars (provided that there
shall be only one register, which shall be maintained by the principal
Registrar) and one or more additional paying agents with respect to any series.
The term "Paying Agent" includes any additional paying agent.

               The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with
any Agent not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement the
provisions of this Indenture that relate to such Agent. The Company shall
promptly notify the Trustee of the name and address of any such Agent. If the
Company fails to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as
such.

               The Company initially appoints the Trustee Registrar and Paying
Agent for each series.

Section 2.06.  Paying Agent to Hold Money and Securities in Trust.

               Subject to any applicable terms of the Securities of the relevant
series relating to subordination (as contemplated by Article Ten and Section
2.02), each Paying Agent shall

                                      11

<PAGE>
 
hold in trust for the benefit of Securityholders of such series or the Trustee
all money and securities held by the Paying Agent for the payment of any amount
in respect of the Securities of such series, and shall notify the Trustee of any
default by the Company in making any such payment.  If the Company or a
Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate such money and securities
and hold it as a separate trust fund.  The Company at any time may require a
Paying Agent to pay all money and securities held by it to the Trustee and
account for any funds or securities disbursed.  Upon doing so the Paying Agent
shall have no further liability for the money or securities.

Section 2.07.  Securityholder Lists.

          The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably
practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of
Securityholders.  If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish
to the Trustee on or before either (1) April 1 and October 1 in each year in the
case of Original Issue Discount Securities of any series which by their terms do
not bear interest prior to maturity (other than upon a default in any payment
upon such a Security) or (2) each Interest Payment Date for the Securities of
any other series, but in no event less frequently than semi-annually, and at
such other times as the Trustee may request in writing a list in such form and
as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses
of Securityholders.

Section 2.08.  Transfer and Exchange.

          Where a Security is presented to the Registrar or a co-Registrar with
a request to register a transfer, the Registrar shall register the transfer as
requested if its requirements for such transfer are met.  Notwithstanding any
other provision of this Section, unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in
part for Securities in definitive form, a global Security representing all or a
portion of the Securities of or within a series may not be transferred except as
a whole by the depositary for such series to a nominee of such depositary or by
a nominee of such depositary to such depositary or another nominee of such
depositary or by such depositary or any such nominee to a successor depositary
for such series or a nominee of such successor depositary.  Where Securities are
presented to the Registrar or a co-Registrar with a request to exchange them for
an equal aggregate principal amount of Securities of the same series of other
authorized denominations, the Registrar shall make the exchange as requested
(other than with respect to a global Security, except as provided below or as
otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.02) if its requirements for
such exchange are met.  The Registrar shall require, among other things, that
any Security presented or surrendered for transfer or exchange be duly endorsed,
or be accompanied by appropriate transfer documents duly endorsed, or be
accompanied by appropriate transfer documents duly executed, by the Holder
thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.  To permit transfers and
exchanges, the Trustee shall authenticate Securities at the Registrar's request.
Any exchange or transfer shall be without charge, except that the Company may
require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental
charge that may be imposed in relation thereto.

                                      12
<PAGE>
 
          The Registrar need not transfer or exchange any Security selected for
redemption or purchase (except, in the case of Securities to be redeemed or
purchased in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed or purchased) any
Security in respect of which a notice requiring the purchase or redemption
thereof by the Company at the option of the Holder has been given and not
withdrawn by the Holder thereof in accordance with the terms of such Securities
(except in the case of Securities to be so purchased or redeemed in part, the
portion thereof not to be so purchased or redeemed) or transfer or exchange
Securities of any particular series during a period of 15 days before a
selection of Securities of such series to be redeemed.

          Except as otherwise provided with respect to the Securities of any
series as contemplated by Section 2.02, a global Security may be exchanged only
as provided below in this Section.

          If at any time the depositary with respect to a global Security
representing all or a portion of the Securities of or within a series notifies
the Company that it is unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as such
depositary, the Company shall appoint a successor depositary with respect to
such Securities.  Unless otherwise provided with respect to a series of
Securities as contemplated by Section 2.02, if a successor depositary is not so
appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice,
the Company will execute and the Trustee, upon receipt of a written order of the
Company as contemplated by Section 2.04 for the authentication and delivery of
definitive Securities of such series (or, if such written order has previously
been delivered, then upon receipt of written instructions from the person or
persons specified in such written order), will authenticate and deliver
Securities of such series in definitive form equal in aggregate principal amount
to the principal amount of the global Security or Securities representing such
series in exchange for such global Security or Securities.

          The Company may at any time and in its sole discretion determine that
the Securities of any series issued in the form of one or more global Securities
shall no longer be represented by such global Security or Securities.  In such
event the Company will execute and the Trustee, upon receipt of a written order
of the Company as contemplated by Section 2.04 for the authentication and
delivery of definitive Securities of such series (or, if such written order has
previously been delivered, then upon receipt of written instructions from the
person or persons specified in such written order), will authenticate and
deliver Securities of such series in definitive form equal in aggregate
principal amount to the principal amount of the global Security or Securities
representing such series in exchange for such global Security or Securities.

          If a global Security is otherwise exchangeable as specified by the
Company pursuant to Section 2.02(3) with respect to a series of Securities, the
depositary with respect to a global Security representing all or a portion of
the Securities of or within such series may surrender such global Security to
the Trustee, as the Company's agent for such purpose, to be exchanged in whole
or in part for Securities of such series in definitive form in the manner

                                      13
<PAGE>
 
and under the circumstances so specified and on such terms as are acceptable to
the Company and such depositary.  In such event, the Company shall execute and
the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver or make available for delivery:

               (i)    to each Person specified by such depositary a new Security
          or Securities of the same series and of like tenor, of any authorized
          form and denomination as requested by such Person in aggregate
          principal amount equal to and in exchange for such Person's beneficial
          interest in the global Security; and

               (ii)   unless endorsement of the surrendered global Security as
          contemplated by Section 2.15 or another procedure is specified for the
          Securities of such series as contemplated by Section 2.02, to such
          depositary a new global Security in a denomination equal to the
          difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered
          global Security and the aggregate principal amount of Securities
          delivered pursuant to clause (i) above in exchange for beneficial
          interests in such surrendered global Security.

          In any exchange provided for in any of the preceding three paragraphs,
the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver
Securities in definitive registered form in authorized denominations.

          Upon the exchange of a global Security for Securities in definitive
form, such global Security shall be cancelled by the Trustee, unless endorsement
of the surrendered global Security as contemplated by Section 2.15 or another
procedure is specified for the Securities of such series as contemplated by
Section 2.02.  Securities issued in exchange for a global Security pursuant to
this Section shall be registered in such names and in such authorized
denominations as the depositary for such global Security, pursuant to
instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall
instruct the Trustee.  The Trustee shall deliver such Securities to the persons
in whose names such Securities are so registered.

          If a Security is issued in exchange for any portion of a global
Security after the close of business at the office or agency where such exchange
occurs (i) on any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such
office or agency on the relevant Interest Payment Date, or (ii) on any special
record date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the
related date for payment of defaulted interest, interest or defaulted interest,
as the case may be, will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or
proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of such Security, but
will be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as
the case may be, only to the Person to whom interest in respect of such portion
of such global Security is payable in accordance with the provisions of this
Indenture.

          All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of
Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same
debt, and entitled to the

                                      14
<PAGE>
 
same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such
registration of transfer or exchange.

Section 2.09.  Replacement Securities.

          If a mutilated Security is surrendered to the Registrar or if the
Holder of a Security claims that the Security has been lost, destroyed or
wrongfully taken, then in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee
that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall
issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Security if the Trustee's
requirements are met.  If required, such Holder shall furnish an indemnity bond
sufficient in the judgment of the Company and the Trustee to protect the
Company, the Trustee or any Agent from any loss which any of them may suffer if
a Security is replaced.  Upon the issuance of any new Security under this
Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any
other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected
therewith.

          In case any such lost, destroyed or wrongfully-taken Security has
become or is about to become due and payable, or is about to be purchased by the
Company pursuant to any provision of the Securities of such series providing for
the purchase thereof at the option of the Holder or the Company, the Company in
its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay or purchase such
Security.

          Every new Security issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any
lost, destroyed or wrongfully-taken Security shall constitute a separate
obligation of the Company, whether or not the lost, destroyed or wrongfully-
taken Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled
to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and
all other Securities of such series duly issued hereunder.

          The provisions of this Section, as amended or supplemented pursuant to
this Indenture with respect to particular Securities or generally, shall be
exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and
remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, lost,
destroyed or wrongfully-taken Securities.

Section 2.10.  Outstanding Securities.

          Securities outstanding at any time are all Securities authenticated by
the Trustee except for those cancelled by it, those delivered to it for
cancellation and those described in this Section as not being outstanding.  A
Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or one of its
Affiliates holds the Security.

          If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.09, it ceases to be
outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the
replaced Security is held by a bona fide purchaser.

                                      15
<PAGE>
 
          If the Paying Agent holds on a redemption date or maturity date or on
the Business Day following a date on which Securities of such series are to be
purchased by the Company pursuant to any provision thereof providing for such
purchase at the option of the Holder or the Company, money (or securities if
permitted by the terms of such Securities) in trust or, if the Company, acting
as its own Paying Agent, sets aside and segregates money (or securities if
permitted by the terms of such Securities) in trust, sufficient to pay
Securities payable on that date, then, on and after that date such Securities
cease to be outstanding and interest, if any (and original issue discount, if
Original Issue Discount Securities), on them ceases to accrue, unless the Paying
Agent is restricted under the terms of the Securities of such series (specified
as contemplated by Section 2.02) in applying such money.

Section 2.11.  Temporary Securities.

          Pending the preparation of a permanent global Security or definitive
Securities of any series, the Company may execute and the Trustee, upon the
written order of the Company pursuant to Section 2.04, shall authenticate and
deliver temporary Securities.  Temporary Securities of any series shall be in
authorized denominations and substantially of the tenor of the definitive
Securities of that series in lieu of which they are issued, but may have
variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities.  In
the case of Securities of any series, such temporary Securities may be in global
form.  If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause
definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay.
After the preparation of definitive Securities of such series, and upon
surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of such
series, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver
in exchange therefor a like aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities
of authorized denominations of the same series and containing identical terms
and provisions.  Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series
shall, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.02 (including
with respect to the payment of interest on temporary Securities), in all
respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive
Securities of the same series and of like tenor authenticated and delivered
hereunder.

Section 2.12.  Cancellation.

          The Company at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for
cancellation, including Securities authenticated which the Company has not
issued and sold.  The Company and each Agent shall forward to the Trustee any
Securities surrendered to them for transfer, exchange, payment, redemption, or
purchase by the Company pursuant to any provision thereof providing for such
purchase at the option of the Holder.  The Trustee and no one else shall cancel
all Securities surrendered for transfer, exchange, payment, redemption,
purchase, or cancellation, and may dispose of cancelled Securities as the
Company directs; provided, however, that the Trustee shall not be required to
destroy such cancelled Securities.  Except as otherwise provided in the
resolution of the Board of Directors or indenture supplemental hereto
establishing such series as contemplated by Section 2.02, the

                                      16
<PAGE>
 
Company may not issue new Securities of a series to replace Securities of the
same series that it has paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for
cancellation.

Section 2.13.  Payment of Interest; Defaulted Interest.

          Unless otherwise provided with respect to the Securities of any series
as contemplated by Section 2.02, interest (except defaulted interest) on any
Security of any series which is payable on any Interest Payment Date shall be
paid to the Holder in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor
Securities) is registered on the security register at the close of business on
the Regular Record Date for such interest payment.  At the option of the
Company, payment of interest on any Security may be made (i) by check mailed to
the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address appears in the
security register, or (ii) if so specified with respect to the Securities of
such series as contemplated by Section 2.02, by wire transfer to any account
designated by such Person.

          If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Securities of
any series on any Interest Payment Date, it shall pay the defaulted interest to
the Persons who are Securityholders of such series at the close of business on a
subsequent special record date.  The Company shall fix the special record date
and payment date.  At least 15 days before the record date, the Company shall
mail to each Securityholder of such series a notice that states the special
record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted interest proposed to
be paid.  The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of the
defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Security of such series and the
date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit
with the Paying Agent an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed
to be paid in respect of such defaulted interest or shall make arrangements
satisfactory to the Paying Agent for such deposit prior to the date of the
proposed payment.  The Company may pay defaulted interest in any other lawful
manner.

Section 2.14.  Persons Deemed Owners.

          Prior to due presentment of a Security for registration of transfer,
the Company, the Trustee and any Agent may treat the person in whose name such
Security is registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of
receiving payment of principal of and (subject to Section 2.13) interest on such
Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, and neither the Company, the
Trustee nor any Agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

          No holder of any beneficial interest in any global Security held on
its behalf by a depositary shall have any rights under this Indenture with
respect to such global Security, and such depositary (or its nominee, if such
global Security is registered in the name of a nominee) may be treated by the
Company, the Trustee, and any Agent as the owner of such global Security for all
purposes whatsoever.  None of the Company, the Trustee, or any Agent will have
any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or
payments

                                      17
<PAGE>
 
made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a global Security or for
maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial
ownership interests.

          Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any global Security,
nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee, or any Agent from giving
effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by
any depositary, as a Holder, with respect to such global Security or impair, as
between such depositary and owners of beneficial interests in such global
Security, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the
rights of such depositary (or its nominee) as Holder of such global Security.

Section 2.15.  Securities in Global Form.

          If the Company shall establish pursuant to Section 2.02 that the
Securities of or within a series are to be issued in whole or in part in global
form, then the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall, in accordance with
Section 2.04 and the written order of the Company contemplated thereby,
authenticate and deliver one or more global Securities in temporary or permanent
form that (i) shall be registered in the name of the depositary for such global
Security or Securities or the nominee of such depositary, (ii) shall be
delivered by the Trustee to such depositary or pursuant to such depositary's
instructions, and (iii) shall bear a legend substantially to the following
effect:  "Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Securities in
definitive form, this Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the
depositary to a nominee of the depositary or another nominee of the depositary
or by the depositary or any such nominee to a successor depositary or a nominee
of such successor depositary."  Each depositary designated pursuant to Section
2.02 for a global Security in registered form must be, to the extent required by
applicable law or regulation, a clearing agency registered under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any other applicable statute or
regulation, at the time of its designation and at all times that it serves as
depositary.  Notwithstanding clause (14) of Section 2.02 and the provisions of
Section 2.03, any such global Security shall represent such of the outstanding
Securities of such series as shall be specified therein and may provide that it
shall represent the aggregate amount of outstanding Securities of such series
from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of outstanding
Securities represented thereby may from time to time be increased or decreased
to reflect exchanges.  Any endorsement of a Security in a global form to reflect
the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, or changes in the rights
of Holders, of outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made in such
manner and upon instructions given by such Person or Persons as shall be
specified therein or in the written order of the Company to be delivered to the
Trustee pursuant to Section 2.04.  Subject to the provisions of Section 2.04
and, if applicable, Section 2.11, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any
Security in permanent global form in the manner and upon instructions given by
the Person or Persons specified therein or in the applicable written order of
the Company.  If a written order of the Company pursuant to Section 2.04 has
been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions with respect to a
Security in global form shall be in writing but need not comply with Sections
11.04 and 11.05 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.

                                      18
<PAGE>
 
          The provisions of the last sentence of the third paragraph of Section
2.04 shall apply to any Security represented by a Security in global form if
such Security was never issued and sold by the Company and the Company delivers
to the Trustee the Security in global form together with written instructions
(which need not comply with Sections 11.04 and 11.05 and need not be accompanied
by an Opinion of Counsel) with regard to the reduction in the principal amount
of Securities represented thereby, together with the written statement
contemplated by the last sentence of the third paragraph of Section 2.04.

Section 2.16.  CUSIP Numbers.

          The Company in issuing the Securities may use "CUSIP" numbers (if then
generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use "CUSIP" numbers in notices
of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may
                                           --------                         
state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers
either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a
redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification
numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected
by any defect in or omission of such numbers.


                                 ARTICLE THREE

                                  Redemption

Section 3.01.  Applicability of Article.

          Securities of any series which are redeemable before their stated
maturity at the election of the Company or through the operation of any sinking
fund for the retirement of Securities of such series shall be redeemable in
accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated
by Section 2.02 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article.

Section 3.02.  Notices to Trustee.

          If the Company elects to redeem all or less than all the Securities of
any series, it shall notify the Trustee of the redemption date, the principal
amount of Securities to be redeemed, the specific provision of the Securities
pursuant to which the Securities being called for redemption are being redeemed
and the redemption price.  In the case of any redemption of Securities prior to
the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of
such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the
Trustee with an Officers' Certificate evidencing compliance with such
restriction.  If the Company wants to make any permitted optional sinking fund
payment, it shall notify the Trustee of the principal amount of the Securities
to be redeemed.

                                      19
<PAGE>
 
          The Company (1) may deliver outstanding Securities of a series (other
than any previously called for redemption) and (2) may apply as a credit
Securities of a series which have been redeemed or otherwise purchased either at
the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through
the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the
terms of such Securities in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund
payment required to be made pursuant to the terms of the Securities of such
series as provided for by the terms of such series: provided that such
Securities have not been previously so credited.  Such Securities shall be
received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the redemption price
specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking
fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.
The Company shall notify the Trustee of its intention to so reduce the amount of
such sinking fund payment, the amount of the reduction and the basis for it.
The Company shall deliver to the Trustee with such notice any Securities to be
credited for such purpose that it has not previously delivered to the Trustee
for cancellation.

          The Company shall give each notice and Officers' Certificate provided
for in this Section at least 60 days before the redemption date (unless a
shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee or is otherwise specified as
contemplated by Section 2.02 for Securities of any series).

Section 3.03.  Selection of Securities to be Redeemed.

          Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.02 for
Securities of any series, if less than all the Securities of any series are to
be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected from
Securities of the same series outstanding not previously called for redemption
by such method as the Trustee considers fair and appropriate (and in such manner
as complies with applicable requirements of any stock exchange on which
Securities of such series are listed) and which may provide for the selection
for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for
Securities of that series or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal
amount of Securities of such series that have denominations larger than the
minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series.  Provisions of
this Indenture that apply to Securities called for redemption also apply to
portions of Securities called for redemption.

Section 3.04.  Notice of Redemption.

          At least 30 days but no more than 60 days before a redemption date
(unless a shorter notice is specified as contemplated by Section 2.02 for
Securities of any series), the Company shall mail a notice of redemption by
first-class mail to each Holder of Securities of the series to be redeemed.

          The notice shall identify the Securities, including CUSIP number, if
any (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amount of the
Securities), to be redeemed and shall state:

                                      20
<PAGE>
 
          (1)  the redemption date;

          (2)  the redemption price and method of payment, if other than in
cash;

          (3)  the name and address of the Paying Agent;

          (4)  that Securities called for redemption must be surrendered to the
Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

          (5)  that interest, if any (or original issue discount, if Original
Issue Discount Securities), on Securities called for redemption ceases to accrue
on and after the redemption date, unless the Company defaults in making such
redemption payment; and

          (6)  that the redemption is for a sinking fund or at the election of
the Company, whichever is the case.

          At the Company's request, the Trustee shall give the notice of
redemption in the Company's name and at the Company's expense, provided that the
Company shall have furnished to the Trustee the Officers' Certificate and
Opinion of Counsel required pursuant to Section 11.04 at least 15 days prior to
the date that the Trustee is required to take any action in connection with a
redemption.

Section 3.05.  Effect of Notice of Redemption.

          Once notice of redemption is mailed, Securities of the series called
for redemption become due and payable on the redemption date and at the
redemption price therein specified and on and after such date (unless the
Company shall default in the payment of the redemption price and accrued
interest, if any) such Securities shall cease to bear interest, if any (and
original issue discount, if such Securities are Original Issue Discount
Securities, shall cease to accrue).  Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such
Securities shall be paid at the redemption price, plus, if applicable, accrued
interest, if any, to the redemption date: provided, however, that installments
of interest the Interest Payment Date for which is on or prior to the redemption
date shall be payable to the persons who are Holders of such Securities (or one
or more Predecessor Securities) on the relevant record dates for such interest
according to their terms and Section 2.13.

          If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon
surrender thereof for redemption, the principal shall, until paid, bear interest
from the redemption date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Security.

Section 3.06.  Deposit of Redemption Price.

          On or before 11:00 a.m., New York time, on the redemption date, the
Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent money (or securities if permitted by
the terms

                                      21
<PAGE>
 
of such Securities) sufficient to pay the redemption price of, and (except if
the redemption date is an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest, if any, on,
all Securities to be redeemed on that date other than Securities or portions
thereof called for redemption on that date which are delivered by the Company to
the Trustee for cancellation.

Section 3.07.  Securities Redeemed in Part.

          Any Security that is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered
at a place of payment therefor (with, if the Company, the Registrar or the
Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in
form satisfactory to the Company, the Registrar and the Trustee duly executed
by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing), and the
Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the
Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Security or Securities of
the same series, containing identical terms and provisions, of any authorized
denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to
and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of the
Security so surrendered, and, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by
Section 2.02, if a global Security is so surrendered, the Company shall execute,
and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the depositary for such global
Security, without service charge, a new global Security in a denomination equal
to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of the
global Security so surrendered.


                                 ARTICLE FOUR

                                   Covenants

Section 4.01.  Payment of Securities.

          The Company shall pay the principal of and any interest on the
Securities of each series in accordance with the terms of the Securities of such
series and this Indenture.

          To the extent enforceable under applicable law, the Company shall pay
interest on overdue principal at the rate borne by the Securities of such series
(unless a different rate is specified as contemplated by Section 2.02 for
Securities of such series).

Section 4.02.  SEC Reports.

          The Company shall file with the Trustee within 15 days after it files
them with the SEC copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents
and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC
may by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company is required to file
with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934.  The Company also shall comply with the other provisions of TIA (S)314(a).

                                      22
<PAGE>
 
 Section 4.03.  Compliance Certificate.

          The Company will, within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year
of the Company, commencing with the first fiscal year following the issuance of
Securities of any series under this Indenture (but in any event within the time
required by TIA (S) 314(a)), file with the Trustee a certificate of the
principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal
accounting officer of the Company, covering the period from the date of issuance
of such Securities to the end of the fiscal year in which such Securities were
issued, in the case of the first such certificate, and covering the preceding
fiscal year in the case of each subsequent certificate, and stating whether or
not, to the knowledge of the signer, the Company has complied with all
conditions and covenants on its part contained in this Indenture, and, if the
signer has obtained knowledge of any default by the Company in the performance,
observance or fulfillment of any such condition or covenant, specifying each
such default and the nature thereof.  For the purposes of this  Section 4.03,
compliance shall be determined without regard to any grace period or requirement
of notice provided pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.  The certificate
need not comply with Section 11.05.

Section 4.04.  Corporate Existence.

          Subject to the provisions of Section 5.01, the Company will do or
cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and
effect its corporate existence.

Section 4.05.  Calculation of Original Issue Discount.

          The Company shall file with the Trustee promptly at the end of each
calendar year a written notice specifying the amount of original issue discount
(including daily rates and accrual periods), if any, accrued on outstanding
Securities as of the end of such year.

                                  ARTICLE FIVE

                             Successor Corporation

Section 5.01.  When Company May Merge, etc.

          The Company shall not consolidate with or merge into, or transfer its
properties and assets substantially as an entirety to, another corporation
unless (1) the successor corporation, which shall be a corporation organized and
existing under the laws of the United States or a State thereof, assumes by
supplemental indenture all the obligations of the Company under the Securities
and this Indenture; and (2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction,
no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.  Thereafter, unless
otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.02 for the Securities of any
series, all such obligations of the predecessor corporation shall terminate.

                                      23
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE SIX

                             Defaults and Remedies

Section 6.01.  Events of Default.

          An "Event of Default" with respect to Securities of any series means
each of the events specified below in this Section 6.01, unless it is either
inapplicable to a particular series or is specifically deleted or modified as
contemplated by Section 2.02 for the Securities of such series, and any other
events as may be specified as contemplated by Section 2.02 for the Securities of
such series:

               (1)  the Company defaults in the payment of any interest on any
          Security of that series when the same becomes due and payable and the
          default continues for a period of 30 days;

               (2)  the Company defaults in the payment of the principal of any
          Security of that series when the same becomes due and payable at
          maturity, upon redemption (including default in the making of any
          mandatory sinking fund payment), upon purchase by the Company at the
          option of the Holder pursuant to the terms of such Security or
          otherwise;

               (3)  the Company fails to comply with any of its other agreements
          in Securities of that series or this Indenture (other than an
          agreement which has expressly been included in this Indenture solely
          for the benefit of Securities of any series other than that series or
          is expressly made inapplicable to the Securities of such series as
          contemplated by Section 2.02) and the default continues for the period
          and after the notice specified below;

               (4)  the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any
          Bankruptcy Law:

                    (A)  commences a voluntary case, or consents to the
               commencement of a case against it,

                    (B)  consents to the entry of an order for relief against it
               in an involuntary case,

                    (C)  consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for
               all or substantially all of its property, or

                    (D)  makes a general assignment for the benefit of its
               creditors;

                                      24
<PAGE>
 
               (5)  a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree
          under any Bankruptcy Law that:

                    (A)  is for relief against the Company in an involuntary
               case or adjudicates the Company insolvent or bankrupt,

                    (B)  appoints a Custodian of the Company or for all or
               substantially all of its property, or

                    (C)  orders the winding up or liquidation of the Company,
               and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 90
               days; or

               (6)  any other Event of Default provided with respect to
          Securities of that series occurs.

          The term "Bankruptcy Law" means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar
Federal or State law for the relief of debtors.  The term "Custodian" means any
receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy
Law.

          A default under clause (3) is not an Event of Default until the
Trustee notifies the Company or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate
principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that series notify the Company
and the Trustee of the default and the Company does not cure the default within
90 days after receipt of the notice.  The notice must specify the default,
demand that it be remedied and state that the notice is a "Notice of Default."

Section 6.02.  Acceleration.

          If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in
Section 6.01(4) or (5)) occurs and is continuing with respect to Securities of
any series at the time outstanding, the Trustee by notice to the Company, or the
Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding
Securities of that series by notice to the Company and the Trustee, may declare
to be due and payable immediately (1) the principal amount (or, if the
Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion
of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of the Securities of
that series) of all of the Securities of that series then outstanding and (2)
interest, if any, accrued to the date of acceleration.  Upon such declaration,
such principal amount (or specified amount) and interest, if any, shall be due
and payable immediately.  If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01 (4)
or (5) occurs and is continuing, (1) the principal amount (or, if the Securities
of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the
principal amount as may be specified in the terms of the Securities of that
series) of all of the Securities of that series then outstanding and (2)
interest, if any, accrued to the date of such acceleration shall become and be
immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of
the Trustee or Securityholders.  The Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the outstanding Securities of the series with respect to
which an acceleration applies by notice to

                                      25
<PAGE>
 
the Trustee may rescind an acceleration and its consequences with respect to
such series if all existing Events of Default (other than the non-payment of the
principal of and accrued interest, if any, on Securities that have become due
solely by such acceleration) with respect to Securities of that series have been
cured or waived and if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or
decree.  No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any
right consequence thereon.

Section 6.03.  Other Remedies.

               If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series
occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy by
proceeding at law or in equity to collect the payment of the whole amount which
then shall have become due and remain unpaid for principal or interest, if any,
on the Securities of that series or to enforce the performance of any provision
of the Securities of that series or this Indenture.

               The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess
any of the Securities of that series or does not produce any of them in the
proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Securityholder in
exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not
impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver or acquiescence in the Event
of Default. No remedy is exclusive of any other remedy. All available remedies
are cumulative.

Section 6.04.  Waiver of Existing Defaults.

               Subject to Section 9.02, the Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any series by notice to the
Trustee may waive on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series
an existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences.  When a Default or
Event of Default is waived, it is cured and stops continuing.

Section 6.05.  Control by Majority.

               The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
outstanding Securities of any series may direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising
any trust or power conferred on it, with respect to the Securities of such
series.  The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts
with law or this Indenture, that is unduly prejudicial to the rights of another
Securityholder or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability.

Section 6.06.  Limitation of Suits.

               No Holder of any Security of any series shall have the right to
pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Securities unless:

                                      26
<PAGE>
 
               (1) the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice of a
          continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that
          series;

               (2) the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of
          the outstanding Securities of that series make a written request to
          the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

               (3) such Holder or Holders offer and provide to the Trustee
          indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or
          expense;

               (4) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days
          after receipt of the request and the offer of indemnity; and

               (5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been
          given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a
          majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities
          of such series.

          A Securityholder of any series may not use this Indenture to prejudice
the rights of another Securityholder of such series or to obtain a preference or
priority over another Securityholder of such series, except in the manner herein
provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all Securityholders of such
series.

Section 6.07.  Rights of Holders to Receive Payment and to Convert.

          Subject to the terms of the Securities of any series relating to
subordination (as contemplated by Article Ten and Section 2.02) and
notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder
of a Security to receive payment of principal of and (subject to Section 2.13)
interest, if any, on the Security, on or after the respective due dates with
respect to such payments expressed in such Security, and, if applicable, to
convert such Security on the terms and subject to the conditions applicable to
Securities of such series, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such
payment on or after such respective dates or of such right to convert, if any,
shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of the Holder.

Section 6.08.  Collection Suit by Trustee.

          If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(1) or (2) occurs and
is continuing with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee may
recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the
Company for the whole amount which then shall have become due and remain unpaid
for principal and interest, if any, on the Securities of such series.

                                      27
<PAGE>
 
Section 6.09.  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

          The Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or
documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the
Trustee and the Securityholders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to
the Company, its creditors or its property and to collect and receive money,
property or securities payable or deliverable on any such claims and to
distribute the same.

Section 6.10.  Priorities.

          If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article, it shall
pay out the money in the following order:

               First:  to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 7.07;

               Second: to the payment of items to which the Securities have been
          subordinated as contemplated by Article Ten and Section 2.02;

               Third:  to the payment of amounts due and unpaid for principal
          and interest, if any, on the Securities in respect of which such money
          has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any
          kind, according to the amounts which then shall have become due and
          payable on such Securities for principal and interest, respectively;
          and

               Fourth:  to the Company.

          The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to
Securityholders pursuant to this Section, notice of which shall be mailed to
each Securityholder by the Company at least 15 days before such record date.

Section 6.11.  Undertaking for Costs.

          In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this
Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by
it as Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party
litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the
court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable
attorneys' fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due
regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party
litigant.  This Section does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a
Holder pursuant to Section 6.07 or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in
aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any series.

                                      28
<PAGE>
 
                                 ARTICLE SEVEN

                                    Trustee

          All the provisions of this Article Seven apply to the Trustee acting
in all its appointed capacities pursuant to this Indenture unless any provision
specifically applies to the Trustee only in its capacity as Trustee.

Section 7.01.  Duties of Trustee.

          (a)  If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series
has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall with respect to such series
exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture with
respect to such series and use the same degree of care and skill in their
exercise as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the
conduct of his own affairs.

          (b)  With respect to Securities of any series, except during the
continuance of an Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series:

                    (1) The Trustee need perform only those duties that are
               specifically set forth in this Indenture or the TIA and no
               others.

                    (2) In the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may
               conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the
               correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates
               or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the
               requirements of this Indenture.  The Trustee, however, shall,
               with respect to certificates or opinions which by any provision
               hereof are required to be provided to the Trustee, examine the
               certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they
               conform to the requirements of this Indenture.
 
          (c)  The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own
negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its willful misconduct,
except that:

                    (1) This paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph
               (b) of this Section.

                    (2) The Trustee shall not be liable for any error of
               judgment made in good faith by a Trust Officer, unless it is
               proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the
               pertinent facts.

                    (3) The Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any
               action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with
               a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05.

                                      29
<PAGE>
 
          (d)  Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the
Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section.

          (e)  The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right
or power unless it receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss,
liability or expense.

          (f)  The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money
received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company.
Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds
except to the extent required by law.

Section 7.02.  Rights of Trustee.

          (a)  The Trustee may rely on any document believed by it to be genuine
and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person.  The Trustee need not
investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

          (b)  Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may consult
with counsel or require an Officers' Certificate, an Opinion of Counsel, and/or
an accountant's certificate.  The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it
takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on the Officers' Certificate,
Opinion or accountant's certificate.

          (c)  The Trustee may act through agents and counsel and shall not be
responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent or counsel appointed
with due care.

          (d)  The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits
to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or
powers.

Section 7.03.  Individual Rights of Trustee.

          The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the
owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or its
Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.  Any Agent
may do the same with like rights.  The Trustee, however, must comply with
Sections 7.10 and 7.11.

Section 7.04.  Trustee's Disclaimer.

          The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of
this Indenture or the Securities; it shall not be accountable for the Company's
use of the proceeds from the Securities; and it shall not be responsible for any
statement in the Indenture or the Securities other than its certificate of
authentication.

                                      30
<PAGE>
 
Section 7.05.  Notice of Defaults.

          If a Default occurs and is continuing with respect to Securities of
any series and if it is known to a Trust Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee
shall transmit by mail to each Securityholder or such series in the manner and
to the extent provided in TIA (S) 313(c) notice of the Default within 90 days
after its occurs or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter.  Except in the
case of a default in payment of principal of or interest on any Security of such
series (including default in the making of any mandatory sinking fund or
mandatory repurchase payment), the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so
long as a committee of its Trust Officers in good faith determines that
withholding the notice is in the interests of Securityholders of such series.

Section 7.06.  Reports by Trustee to Holders.

          Within 60 days after each May 15 beginning with the May 15 following
the date on which Securities are originally issued under this Indenture, the
Trustee shall transmit by mail to each Securityholder in the manner and to the
extent provided in TIA (S) 313(c) a brief report dated as of such May 15 that
complies with TIA (S) 313(a) if such report is required by TIA (S) 313(a).  The
Trustee also shall comply with TIA (S) 313(b).

          A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Securityholders
shall be filed by the Company with the SEC and each stock exchange on which the
Securities are listed.

          The Company will promptly notify the Trustee if and when the
Securities of any series are listed on any stock exchange.

Section 7.07.  Compensation and Indemnity.

          The Company shall pay to the Trustee such compensation for its
services as shall be agreed upon in a writing between the Company and the
Trustee.  The Trustee's compensation shall not be limited by any law on
compensation of a trustee of an express trust.  The Company shall reimburse the
Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by it.
Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses of the
Trustee's agents and counsel.

          The Company shall indemnify the Trustee against any loss or liability
incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or
administration of this trust and its duties hereunder.  The Trustee shall notify
the Company promptly of any claims asserted against the Trustee for which it may
seek indemnity.  Failure of the Trustee to so notify the Company shall not
relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder.  The Company shall have the
right to elect to defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the
defense.  The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company shall pay the
reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel.  The Company need not pay for any
settlement made without its

                                      31
<PAGE>
 
written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.  The Company
need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss or liability
incurred by the Trustee through negligence or bad faith.

          To secure the Company's payment obligations in this Section, the
Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities on all money or property held
or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal of or
interest on particular Securities.

          When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of
Default specified in Section 6.01(4) or (5) occurs, the expenses and the
compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of
administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

          The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination of this
Indenture.

Section 7.08.  Replacement of Trustee.

          The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to Securities of one
or more series by so notifying the Company.  The Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any series may
remove the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series by so notifying
the removed Trustee and may appoint a successor Trustee with the Company's
consent.  The Company shall remove the Trustee if:

                    (1) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

                    (2) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent;

                    (3) a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the
               Trustee or its property; or

                    (4) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

          If the Trustee resigns or is removed, or if a vacancy exists in the
office of the Trustee for any reason, with respect to the Securities of one or
more series, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees
(it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with
respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any
time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any
particular series).

          A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its
appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company.  Immediately after that,
the retiring Trustee shall transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the
successor Trustee (subject to its lien, if any, provided for in Section 7.07),
the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and
the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the
Trustee

                                      32
<PAGE>
 
under this Indenture.  A successor Trustee shall mail notice of its succession
to each Securityholder.

          If a successor Trustee with respect to Securities of any series does
not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed,
the retiring Trustee, the Company or the Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such series may petition any
court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

          If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, any Securityholder
may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee
with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

Section 7.09.  Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

          If the Trustee consolidates with, mergers or converts into, or
transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust assets to, another
corporation or national banking association, the successor corporation or
national banking association without any further act shall be the successor
Trustee.

Section 7.10.  Eligibility; Disqualification.

          This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the
requirements of TIA (S) 310(a).  The Trustee shall always have a combined
capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most recent
published annual report of condition.  With respect to the Securities of each
series, the Trustee shall comply with TIA (S) 310(b).  In determining whether
the Trustee has a conflicting interest as defined in TIA (S) 310(b) with respect
to the Securities of any series, there shall be excluded this Indenture with
respect to the Securities of any series other than that series.  Nothing herein
shall prevent the Trustee from filing with the SEC the application referred to
in the second to last paragraph of TIA (S) 310(b).

Section 7.11.  Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.

          The Trustee shall comply with TIA (S) 311(a), excluding any creditor
relationship listed in TIA (S) 311(b).  A Trustee who has resigned or been
removed shall be subject to TIA (S) 311(a) to the extent indicated.

                                      33
<PAGE>
 
                                 ARTICLE EIGHT

                             Discharge of Indenture

Section 8.01.  Termination of Company's Obligations.

          The Company may terminate all of its obligations under the Securities
of any series and this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series
if either (1) all Securities of such series previously authenticated and
delivered (other than destroyed, lost or stolen Securities which have been
replaced or paid or Securities for whose payment money (or, if permitted by the
terms of such Securities, securities) has theretofore been held in trust and
thereafter repaid to the Company, as provided in Section 8.03) have been
delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or (2) (i) the Company irrevocably
deposits in trust with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations
sufficient to pay the principal of and interest, if any, on all Securities of
such series not theretofore cancelled or delivered to the Trustee for
cancellation (other than destroyed, lost or stolen Securities which have been
replaced or paid or Securities for whose payment money (or, if permitted by the
terms of such Securities, securities) has theretofore been held in trust and
thereafter repaid to the Company, as provided in Section 8.03) to maturity or
redemption, as the case may be and (ii) the Company delivers to the Trustee an
opinion of counsel to the effect that, based upon the Company's receipt from, or
the publication by, the Internal Revenue Service of a ruling or a change in law,
the holders of the Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for United
States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, defeasance and
discharge and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same
amount in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if
such deposit, defeasance or discharge had not occurred.

          The Company's obligations in Sections 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08, 2.09,
4.01, 7.07, 7.08 and 8.03 of this Indenture, however, shall survive until the
Securities of such series are no longer outstanding.  Thereafter, the Company's
obligations in Sections 7.07 and 8.03 shall survive.  Notwithstanding the
satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Securities of
any series, if money or U.S. Government Obligations shall have been deposited
with the Trustee pursuant to clause (2) of the first paragraph of this Section,
the obligations of the Trustee under Section 8.02 and the second sentence of
Section 8.03 shall survive.

          After a deposit and if all other conditions thereto are met, the
Trustee for the Securities of such series shall be required to execute an
instrument acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with
respect to such Securities, except for those surviving obligations specified
above; provided, however, that the Trustee shall not be required to execute such
instrument until the expiration of 90 days after the date of a deposit and that
such instrument may be made subject to the condition that such deposit had been
in compliance with any applicable terms of the Securities of such series
relating to subordination (as contemplated by Article Ten and Section 2.02).

                                      34
<PAGE>
 
          In order to have money available on a payment date to pay the
principal of or interest, if any, on the Securities, the U.S. Government
Obligations shall be payable as to principal or interest on or before such
payment date in such amounts as will provide the necessary money.  U.S.
Government Obligations shall not be callable at the issuer's opinion.

Section 8.02.  Application of Trust Fund.

          The Trustee shall hold in trust money and U.S. Government Obligations
deposited with it pursuant to Section 8.01.  Subject to any applicable terms of
the Securities of any series relating to subordination (as contemplated by
Article Ten and Section 2.02), the Trustee shall apply the deposited money and
the money from the U.S. Government Obligations through the Paying Agent and in
accordance with the provisions of the Securities of such series and this
Indenture to the payment of principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities
of such series for the payment of which such money or U.S. Government
Obligations has been deposited with the Trustee.

          The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee
or other charge imposed on or assessed against the Government Obligations
deposited pursuant to Section 8.01 or the principal and interest received in
respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for
the account of the Holders of outstanding Securities.

Section 8.03.  Repayment to Company.

          The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall promptly pay to the Company
upon written request any excess money or securities held by them at any time.
The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon written request
any money or securities held by them for the payment of principal or interest,
if any, that remains unclaimed for two years.  After that, Holders entitled to
the money or securities must look to the Company for payment unless an
applicable abandoned property law designates another Person.

                                  ARTICLE NINE

                      Amendments, Supplements and Waivers

Section 9.01.  Without Consent of Holders.

          The Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or
the Securities of any series without notice to or consent of any Securityholder:

                    (1) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

                    (2)  to comply with Section 5.01;

                                      35
<PAGE>
 
                    (3) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any
               series as permitted by Sections 2.01 and 2.02;

                    (4) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit
               of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such
               covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of
               Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being
               included solely for the benefit of such series) or to surrender
               any right or power herein conferred upon the Company;

                    (5) to add any additional Events of Default (and if such
               Events of Default are to be applicable to less than all series of
               Securities, stating that such Events of Default are expressly
               being included solely to be applicable to such series);

                    (6) to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this
               Indenture, provided that, except as otherwise contemplated by
               Section 2.02(14), any such change or elimination shall become
               effective only when there is no Security outstanding of any
               series created prior thereto which is entitled to the benefit of
               such provision;

                    (7) to add or change any of the provisions of this Indenture
               to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the
               issuance of Securities in bearer form, registrable or not
               registrable as to principal, and with or without interest
               coupons, or to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition
               to certificated Securities (so long as any "registration-required
               obligation" within the meaning of Section 163(f)(2) of the
               Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") is in
               registered form for purposes of the Code);

                    (8) to make any change that, in the opinion of the Board of
               Directors, does not materially adversely affect the rights of any
               Securityholder; or

                    (9) to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection
               with the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA.

Section 9.02.  With Consent of Holders.

          The Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or
the Securities of any series without notice to any Securityholder but with the
written consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the outstanding Securities of each series affected by such amendment or
supplement.  The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of

                                      36
<PAGE>
 
all Securities of such series waive compliance by the Company with any provision
of this Indenture or of Securities of such series without notice to any
Securityholder.  Without the consent of each Securityholder affected, however,
the amendment, supplement or waiver, including a waiver pursuant to Section
6.04, may not:

                    (1) reduce the amount of Securities of any series whose
               Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

                    (2) reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of
               interest on any Security (or, in the case of an Original Issue
               Discount Security, reduce the rate of accrual of original issue
               discount);

                    (3) reduce the principal of (or any premium payable upon the
               redemption of) or extend the fixed maturity of any Security (or,
               in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, reduce the
               portion of the principal amount that would be due and payable
               upon acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section
               6.02);

                    (4) change the amount or time of any payment required by any
               sinking fund provisions of the Securities of any series;

                    (5) make any change that materially adversely affects the
               rights of a Holder to require the Company to purchase a Security
               in accordance with the terms thereof and this Indenture;

                    (6) waive a default in the payment of the principal of or
               interest, if any, on any Security; or

                    (7) make any Security payable in money or securities other
               than that stated in the Security.

          It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this
Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplement, but it shall
be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

          An amendment to or supplement of this Indenture which changes or
eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly
been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of
Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such
series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to
affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other
series.

                                      37
<PAGE>
 
Section 9.03.  Compliance with the Trust Indenture Act.

               Every amendment to or supplement of this Indenture or the
Securities shall comply with the TIA as then in effect.

Section 9.04.  Revocation and Effect of Consents.

               A consent to an amendment, supplement, waiver or other action by
a Holder of a Security shall bind the Holder and every subsequent Holder of a
Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting
Holder's Security, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Security.
Any such Holder or subsequent Holder, however, may revoke the consent as to his
Security or portion of a Security. Such revocation shall be effective only if
the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date the amendment,
supplement, waiver or other action becomes effective. An amendment, supplement,
waiver or other action shall become effective on receipt by the Trustee of
written consents from the Holders of the requisite percentage in aggregate
principal amount of the outstanding Securities of the relevant series. After an
amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every
Securityholder of each series of Securities so affected.

Section 9.05.  Notation on or Exchange of Securities.

               If an amendment, supplement or waiver changes the terms of a
Security, the Trustee may require the Holder of the Security to deliver it to
the Trustee. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the Security about
the changed terms and return it to the Holder. Alternatively, if the Company or
the Trustee so determines, the Company in exchange for the Security shall issue
and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Security that reflects the changed
terms.

Section 9.06.  Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

               The Trustee shall sign any amendment, supplement or waiver
authorized pursuant to this Article if the amendment, supplement or waiver does
not adversely affect the rights, duties, immunities or liabilities of the
Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may but need not sign it. The Company may not
sign an amendment or supplement until the Board of Directors approves it.

               In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any
supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modification thereby of
the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive,
and shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that
the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this
Indenture.

                                      38
<PAGE>
 
                                 ARTICLE TEN

                                 Subordination

Section 10.01. Subordination Terms.

          The payment by the Company of the principal of, premium, if any, and
interest on the Securities of any series shall be subordinated in the manner and
to the extent provided in the Securities of such series, as contemplated by
Sections 2.01 and 2.02.


                                 ARTICLE ELEVEN

                                 Miscellaneous

Section 11.01. Trust Indenture Act Controls.

          If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with
the duties imposed by any of TIA (S)(S) 310 to 317, inclusive, through operation
of TIA (S) 318(c), such imposed duties shall control.

Section 11.02. Notices.

          Any notice or communication shall be sufficiently given if in writing
and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail addressed as follows:

          If to the Company:
 
                   TCI Communications, Inc. 
                   5619 DTC Parkway 
                   Englewood, Colorado 80111
                         Attention:      Chief Financial Officer

          If to the Trustee:
 
                   The Bank of New York
                   101 Barclay Street
                   Floor 21W
                   New York, New York 10286
                        Attention:      Corporate Trustee
                                        Trustee Administration

          The Company or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate
additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

                                      39
<PAGE>
 
          Any notice or communication mailed to a Securityholder shall be mailed
to him by first-class mail, postage prepaid, at his address as it appears on the
registration books of the Registrar and shall be sufficiently given to him if so
mailed within the time prescribed.

          Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Securityholder or any
defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other
Securityholders.  Except for a notice to the Trustee, which is deemed given only
when received, if a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided
above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

          Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice
may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either
before or after the event, and such waiver shall be equivalent of such notice.
Waivers of notice by Holders of Securities shall be filed with the Trustee, but
such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action
taken in reliance upon such waiver.

Section 11.03. Communication by Holders with Other Holders.

          Securityholders may communicate pursuant to TIA (S) 312(b) with other
Securityholders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the
Securities.  The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have
the protection of TIA (S)312(c).

Section 11.04. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

          Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take
any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

               (1) an Officers' Certificate stating that, in the opinion of the
          signers, all conditions precedent (including any covenants compliance
          with which constitutes a condition precedent), if any, provided for in
          this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied
          with; and

               (2) an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such
          counsel, all such conditions precedent (including any covenants
          compliance with which constitutes a condition precedent) have been
          complied with.

Section 11.05. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.

          Each Officers' Certificate or Opinion of Counsel with respect to
compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other
than certificates provided pursuant to Section 4.03) shall include:

               (1) a statement that the person making such certificate or
          opinion has read such covenant or condition;

                                      40
<PAGE>
 
               (2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the
          examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions
          contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

               (3) a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he has made
          such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to
          express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or
          condition has been complied with; and

               (4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such
          person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

Section 11.06. When Treasury Securities Disregarded.

          In determining whether the Holders of the required aggregate principal
amount of Securities of any series have concurred in any direction, waiver or
consent, Securities of such series owned by the Company or by any Affiliate of
the Company shall be disregarded and treated as not outstanding, except that for
the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on
any such direction, waiver or consent, only Securities of such series which the
Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.

Section 11.07. Rules by Trustee and Agents.

          The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of
the Securityholders of all series or any series.  The Registrar and Paying Agent
may make reasonable rules for its functions.

Section 11.08. Legal Holidays.

          A "Legal Holiday" is a Saturday, a Sunday, or a day on which banking
institutions in the City of New York, New York, are not required to be open.  If
a specified date (including a date for giving notice) is a Legal Holiday, any
action to be taken on such date pursuant to this Indenture or the Securities
(including such conversion) may be taken on the next succeeding day that is not
a Legal Holiday, and, to the extent applicable, no interest, or original issue
discount, as the case may be, shall accrue for the intervening period.

Section 11.09. Governing Law.

          The internal laws of the State of New York shall govern this Indenture
and the Securities.

                                      41
<PAGE>
 
Section 11.10. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

          This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or
debt agreement of the Company or a Subsidiary.  Any such indenture, loan or debt
agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

Section 11.11. No Recourse Against Others.

          No past, present or future director, officer, employee or stockholder,
as such, of the Company or the Trustee or any successor of either thereof shall
have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Trustee under the
Securities or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by
reason of, such obligations or their creation and all such liability is hereby
waived and released.  Such waiver and release are part of the consideration for
the issue of the Securities.

Section 11.12. Successors.

          All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Securities
shall bind its successor.  All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall
bind its successor.

Section 11.13. Duplicate Originals.

          The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture.  Each
signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same
agreement.

Section 11.14. Table of Contents, Headings, Etc.

          The table of contents and the titles and headings of the Articles and
Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only,
are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict
any of the terms or provisions hereof.

Section 11.15. Acts of Holders.

               (a) Any direction, consent, waiver or other action provided by
this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced
by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders
in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing. Except as herein otherwise
expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or
instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly
required, to the Company. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a
writing appointing any such agent, or of the holding by any person of a
Security, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to
Section 7.01) conclusive in favor of the Trustee, the Company and any Agent, if
made in the manner provided in this Section.

                                      42
<PAGE>
 
               (b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such
instrument may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a
certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take
acknowledgments of deeds.  Where such execution is by a signer acting in a
capacity other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall
also constitute sufficient proof of his authority.  The fact and date of the
execution of any such instrument, or the authority of the Person executing the
same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.

               (c) The ownership, principal amount and serial numbers of
outstanding Securities held by any person, and the date of holding the same,
shall be provided by the security register.

               (d) If the Company shall solicit from the Holders of any
Securities any direction, consent, waiver or other authorization, the Company
may at its option (but is not obligated to), by or pursuant to a resolution of
the Board of Directors, fix in advance a record date for the determination of
Holders of Securities entitled to give such direction, consent, waiver or other
authorization. Notwithstanding TIA (S) 316(c), such record date shall be the
record date specified in or pursuant to such resolution of the Board of
Directors, which shall be a date not earlier than 30 days prior to the first
solicitation of Holders generally in connection therewith and not later than the
date such solicitation is completed. If such a record date is fixed, such
direction, consent, waiver or other authorization may be given before or after
such record date, but only the Holders of Securities of record at the close of
business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purpose of
determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of outstanding
Securities have authorized or agreed or consented to such direction, consent,
waiver or other authorization, and for that purpose the outstanding Securities
shall be computed as of such record date; provided that no such consent or other
authorization by the Holders shall be deemed effective unless it shall become
effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than eleven
months after the record date.

               (e) Any consent, waiver or other authorization by the Holder of
any Security shall bind such Holder and every future Holder of the same Security
and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer
thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done,
omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee, any Agent or the Company in
reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such
Security.

Section 11.16  Assignment.

               The Company shall have the right at all times to assign any to
its rights or obligations under this Indenture to a direct or indirect wholly
owned Subsidiary of the Company; provided, that, in the event of any such
assignment, the Company shall remain liable for all such obligations.

                                      43
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURES


Dated:                     TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.



                           By:/s/ Gerald Sokol.Jr. 
                              -------------------------------
                              Title: Gerald Sokol.Jr.

                              (SEAL)

ATTEST:


/s/ Mary M. McChesney
- -------------------------------
Assistant Secretary

Dated:                     THE BANK OF NEW YORK



                           By:  ___________________________________
                                Title:

                                (SEAL)

ATTEST:



_____________________________________
Assistant Secretary

                                      44
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES


Dated:                     TCI COMMUNICATIONS,INC.



                           By:  ____________________________
                                Title:
                              
                                (SEAL)

ATTEST:



_________________________________
Assistant Secretary

Dated:                     THE BANK OF NEW YORK



                           By: /s/ WALTER N. GITLIN
                               -----------------------------
                               Title: WALTER N. GITLIN
                                      VICE PRESIDENT 

ATTEST:



(SIGNATURE ILLEGIBLE)
- ---------------------------------                     

                                      44

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.14


________________________________________________________________________________

                            TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.


                                      AND


                             THE BANK OF NEW YORK,

                                    Trustee



                 ____________________________________________

                               THIRD SUPPLEMENTAL
                                   INDENTURE
                                       TO
                                   INDENTURE


                          Dated as of __________, 199_


                 ____________________________________________

       ____% Subordinated Deferrable Interest Notes due ___________, 20__


________________________________________________________________________________
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
                               -----------------

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----


                                   ARTICLE I
                                  DEFINITIONS
          <S>                                                               <C> 
          Section 1.1.   Definition of Terms..............................     2
          Section 1.2.   Interpretation...................................     3

                                  ARTICLE II
                   GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE NOTES

          Section 2.1. Designation and Principal Amount...................     3
          Section 2.2. Maturity...........................................     3
          Section 2.3. Form and Payment...................................     3
          Section 2.4. Global Note........................................     4
          Section 2.5. Interest...........................................     5

                                  ARTICLE III
                            REDEMPTION OF THE NOTES

          Section 3.1. Special Event Redemption...........................     6
          Section 3.2. Optional Redemption by Company.....................     6
          Section 3.3. No Sinking Fund....................................     7

                                   ARTICLE IV
                     EXTENSION OF INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD
     
          Section 4.1.   Extension of Interest Payment Period.............     7
          Section 4.2.   Notice of Extension..............................     7

                                   ARTICLE V
                                   EXPENSES
          Section 5.1.   Payment of Expenses..............................     8

                                  ARTICLE VI
                                 SUBORDINATION

          Section 6.1.   Agreement to Subordinate.........................     9
          Section 6.2.   Default on Senior Indebtedness...................     9
</TABLE> 
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
          <S>                                                               <C> 
          Section 6.3.   Liquidation; Dissolution; Bankruptcy.............    10
          Section 6.4.   Subrogation......................................    11
          Section 6.5.   Trustee to Effectuate Subordination..............    12
          Section 6.6.   Notice by the Company............................    12
          Section 6.7.   Rights of the Trustee; Holders of Senior 
                         Indebtedness.....................................    13
          Section 6.8.   Subordination May Not Be Impaired................    13

                                  ARTICLE VII
                         COVENANT TO LIST ON EXCHANGE

          Section 7.1.   Listing on Exchange..............................    14

                                 ARTICLE VIII
                                 FORM OF NOTE

          Section 8.1.   Form of Note.....................................    14

                                   ARTICLE IX
                            ORIGINAL ISSUE OF NOTES

          Section 9.1.   Original Issue of Notes..........................    22

                                   ARTICLE X
                               CERTAIN COVENANTS

          Section 10.1.  Limitation on Dividends and Other Payments.......    23
          Section 10.2.  Covenants as to the Trust........................    23

                                   ARTICLE XI
                           CERTAIN EVENTS OF DEFAULT

          Section 11.1.  Additional Events of Default.....................    24
          Section 11.2.  Waiver of Existing Defaults......................    24

                                  ARTICLE XII
                                 MISCELLANEOUS

          Section 12.1.  Supplemental Indenture Incorporated Into         
                         Indenture.......................................     24
          Section 12.2.  Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals; 
                         Disclaimer......................................     25
          Section 12.3.  Governing Law...................................     25
          Section 12.4.  Separability....................................     25

                                      ii
</TABLE> 
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
          <S>                                                                 <C> 
          Section 12.5.  Counterparts.....................................    25
          Section 12.6.  Acknowledgment of Rights of Holders of Preferred   
                         Securities.......................................    25
</TABLE> 
                                      iii
<PAGE>
 
          THIS THIRD SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of __________, 199_ (this
"Third Supplemental Indenture"), between TCI Communications, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), and The Bank of New York, a New York banking
corporation, not in its individual capacity but solely as trustee (the
"Trustee"), under the Indenture dated as of January 29, 1996 between the Company
and the Trustee (the "Indenture").

                             W I T N E S S E T H:

          WHEREAS, the Company executed and delivered the Indenture to the
Trustee to provide for the future issuance of the Company's unsecured
subordinated Securities, to be issued from time to time in one or more series as
might be determined by the Company in accordance with the Indenture, in an
unlimited aggregate principal amount which may be authenticated and delivered as
provided in the Indenture; and

          WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, the Company desires
to provide for the establishment of a new series of its Securities to be known
as its ____% Subordinated Deferrable Interest Notes due ____________, 20__ (the
"Notes"), the form and substance of such Notes and the terms, provisions and
conditions thereof to be as set forth in the Indenture and this Third
Supplemental Indenture; and

          WHEREAS, TCI Communications Financing III, a Delaware statutory
business trust (the "Trust"), has offered to the public $____ million aggregate
stated liquidation amount of its ____% Trust Originated Preferred Securities
(the "Preferred Securities") and has offered to the Company $___________
aggregate stated liquidation amount of its common securities (the "Common
Securities" and, together with the Preferred Securities, the "Trust
Securities"), such Trust Securities representing undivided beneficial interests
in the assets of the Trust, and proposes to invest the proceeds from such
offering in $__________ million aggregate principal amount of the Notes; and

          WHEREAS, the Company has requested the Trustee to execute and deliver
this Third Supplemental Indenture, and all requirements necessary to make this
Third Supplemental Indenture a valid instrument, in accordance with its terms,
and to make the Notes, when executed by the Company and authenticated and
delivered by the Trustee, the valid obligations of the Company, have been
performed, and the execution and delivery of this Third Supplemental Indenture
has been duly authorized in all respects.

          NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase and acceptance of the
Notes by the holders thereof, and for the purpose of setting forth, as provided
in the Indenture, the form and substance of the Notes and the terms, provisions
and conditions thereof, the Company covenants and agrees with the Trustee as
follows: 
<PAGE>
 
                                    ARTICLE
                                       I

                                  DEFINITIONS

          Section 1.1. Definition of Terms. Unless the context otherwise
requires, (a) a term defined in the Indenture has the same meaning when used in
this Third Supplemental Indenture, (b) a term defined anywhere in this Third
Supplemental Indenture has the same meaning throughout and (c) the following
terms have the meanings given to them in the Declaration (including, without
limitation, Annex I thereto):

               Clearing Agency
               Delaware Trustee
               No Recognition Opinion
               Preferred Securities Guarantee
               Preferred Security Certificate
               Pricing Agreement
               Pro Rata
               Property Trustee
               Regular Trustee
               Special Event
               Tax Event
               Tax Event Opinion
               Underwriting Agreement

          In addition, the following terms have the following respective
 meanings:
 
          "Declaration" means the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of
TCI Communications Financing III, a Delaware business trust, dated as of
___________, 199_.

          "Dissolution Event" means that, as a result of the occurrence and
continuation of a Special Event, the Trust is to be dissolved in accordance with
the Declaration and the Notes held by the Property Trustee are to be distributed
to the holders of the Trust Securities Pro Rata in accordance with the
Declaration.

          "Maturity Date" means the date on which the Notes mature and on which
the principal shall be due and payable together with all accrued and unpaid
interest thereon including Additional Interest, if any.

          "Senior Indebtedness" means (i) any payment in respect of (A)
indebtedness of the Company for money borrowed and (B) indebtedness evidenced by
securities, debentures, bonds, notes or other similar instruments issued by the
Company, (ii), all capital lease obligations of the Company, (iii) all
obligations of the Company issued or assumed as the

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
deferred purchase price of property, all conditional sale obligations of the
Company and all obligations of such obligor under any title retention agreement
(but excluding trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of
business); (iv) all obligations of the Company for reimbursement on any letter
of credit, banker's acceptance, security purchase facility or similar credit
transaction; (v) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through
(iv) of other Persons for the payment of which the Company is responsible or
liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise; and (vi) all obligations of the type
referred to in clauses (i) through (v) of other Persons secured by any lien on
any property or asset of the Company (whether or not such obligation is assumed
by such obligor), except for any such indebtedness that is by its terms
subordinated to or pari passu with the Notes, as the case may be. For greater
certainty, "Senior Indebtedness" includes all indebtedness between or among the
Company and its Affiliates, except for such indebtedness that is by its terms
subordinated to or pari passu with the Notes, as the case may be.

          Section 1.2.  Interpretation.  Each definition in this Third
Supplemental Indenture includes the singular and the plural, and references to
the neuter gender include the masculine and feminine where appropriate. Terms
which relate to accounting matters shall be interpreted in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles in effect from time to time. References
to any statute mean such statute as amended at the time and include any
successor legislation. The word "or" is not exclusive, and the words "herein,"
"hereof" and "hereunder" refer to this Third Supplemental Indenture as a whole.
References to Articles and Sections are to the Articles and Sections of this
Third Supplemental Indenture. The headings to the Articles and Sections are for
convenience of reference and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of
this Third Supplemental Indenture.


                                  ARTICLE II

                   GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE NOTES

          Section 2.1.  Designation and Principal Amount.  There is hereby
authorized a series of Securities designated the "____% Subordinated Deferrable
Interest Notes due ___________, 20__."  The aggregate principal amount of Notes
which may be authenticated and delivered under the Indenture is limited to
$__________ (except for Notes authenticated and delivered upon registration of
transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Notes pursuant to Sections
2.08, 2.09, 2.11, 3.07 or 9.05 of the Indenture and except for any Notes which
pursuant to Section 2.04 of the Indenture are deemed not to have been
authenticated and delivered pursuant to the Indenture).

          Section 2.2.  Maturity.  The Maturity Date will be __________, 20__.

          Section 2.3.  Form and Payment. Except as provided in Section 2.4, the
Notes shall be issued in fully registered certificated form without interest
coupons. Principal and

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
interest on the Notes issued in certificated form will be payable, the transfer
of such Notes will be registrable and such Notes will be exchangeable for Notes
bearing identical terms and provisions at the office or agency of the Trustee in
New York, New York, provided, however, that payment of interest may be made at
the option of the Company by check mailed to the registered Holder at such
address as shall appear in the security register maintained by the Registrar.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as the registered Holder of any Notes is
the Property Trustee, the payment of the principal of and interest (including
Additional Interest, if any) on such Notes held by the Property Trustee will be
made at such place and to such account as may be designated by the Property
Trustee.

          Section 2.4.  Global Note.  In connection with a Dissolution Event:

               (a)  Notes in certificated form may be presented to the Trustee
          by the Property Trustee in exchange for a global Note in an aggregate
          principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Notes
          so presented, to be registered in the name of the The Depository Trust
          Company ("DTC"), as the initial Clearing Agency for the Notes, or the
          nominee of DTC, and delivered by the Trustee to DTC for crediting to
          the accounts of its participants pursuant to the instructions of the
          Regular Trustees. The Company, upon any such presentation, shall
          execute a global Note in such aggregate principal amount and deliver
          the same to the Trustee for authentication and delivery in accordance
          with the Indenture and this Third Supplemental Indenture. Payments on
          the Notes issued as a global Note will be made to DTC (or a successor
          Clearing Agency); and

               (b)  If any Preferred Securities are held in certificated form
          (i.e., not in book entry form), Notes in certificated form may be
          presented to the Trustee by the Property Trustee and any Preferred
          Security Certificate which represents Preferred Securities (other than
          Preferred Securities held by DTC (or a successor Clearing Agency) or
          its nominee) ("Non Book-Entry Preferred Securities") will be deemed to
          represent beneficial interests in Notes in certificated form presented
          to the Trustee by the Property Trustee having an aggregate principal
          amount equal to the aggregate stated liquidation amount of the Non
          Book-Entry Preferred Securities until such Preferred Security
          Certificates are presented to the Registrar for transfer or
          reissuance, at which time such Preferred Security Certificates will be
          canceled and a Note, registered in the name of the holder of such
          Preferred Security Certificate or the transferee of the holder of such
          Preferred Security Certificate, as the case may be, with an aggregate
          principal amount equal to the aggregate stated liquidation amount of
          the Preferred Security Certificate canceled, will be executed by the
          Company and delivered to the Trustee for authentication and delivery
          in accordance with the Indenture and this Third Supplemental
          Indenture. On issue of such Notes, Notes in certificated form with an
          equivalent aggregate principal amount that

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
          were presented by the Property Trustee to the Trustee will be deemed
          to have been canceled.

          Section 2.5.  Interest.  (a)  Each Note will bear interest at the rate
of ____% per annum (the "Coupon Rate") from the original date of issuance until
the principal thereof becomes due and payable, and on any overdue principal and
(to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable
law) on any overdue installment of interest at the Coupon Rate, compounded
quarterly, payable (subject to the provisions of Article IV) quarterly in
arrears on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year (each,
an "Interest Payment Date"), commencing on __________, 199_, to the Person in
whose name such Note or any predecessor Note is registered, at the close of
business on the Regular Record Date for such interest installment, which shall
be the close of business on the Business Day next preceding that Interest
Payment Date. If pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.08 of the Indenture the
Notes are no longer represented by a global Security, the Company may select a
regular record date for such interest installment which shall be any date at
least fifteen days before an Interest Payment Date.

          (b)  The amount of interest payable for any period will be computed on
the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. In the event that any date
on which interest is payable on the Notes is not a Business Day, then payment of
interest payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day which is a
Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such
delay), except that, if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar
year, such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day, in
each case with the same force and effect as if made on such date. The amount of
interest payable for any period shorter than a full quarterly period for which
interest is computed will be computed on the basis of the actual number of days
elapsed in such a 90-day quarter.

          (c)  If at any time while the Property Trustee is the Holder of any
Notes, the Trust or the Property Trustee is required to pay any taxes, duties,
assessments or governmental charges of whatever nature (other than withholding
taxes) imposed by the United States, or any other taxing authority, then, in any
case, the Company will pay as additional interest ("Additional Interest") on the
Notes held by the Property Trustee, such additional amounts as shall be required
so that the net amounts received and retained by the Trust and the Property
Trustee after paying such taxes, duties, assessments or other governmental
charges will be equal to the amounts the Trust and the Property Trustee would
have received had no such taxes, duties, assessments or other governmental
charges been imposed.

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE III

                            REDEMPTION OF THE NOTES

          Section 3.1. Special Event Redemption. If a Tax Event has occurred and
is continuing and:

               (a)  the Company has received a Redemption Tax Opinion; or

               (b)  after receiving a Dissolution Tax Opinion, the Regular
          Trustees shall have been informed by tax counsel rendering the
          Dissolution Tax Opinion that a No Recognition Opinion cannot be
          delivered to the Trust,

then, notwithstanding Section 3.2(a) but subject to Section 3.2(b), the Company
shall have the right, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days notice to the
registered Holders of the Notes, to redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, for
cash within 90 days following the occurrence of such Tax Event (the "90 Day
Period") at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount to be
redeemed plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of such
redemption (the "Special Redemption Price"), provided that, if at the time there
is available to the Company the opportunity to eliminate, within the 90 Day
Period, the Tax Event by taking some ministerial action ("Ministerial Action"),
such as filing a form or making an election, or pursuing some other similar
reasonable measure that has no adverse effect on the Company, the Trust or the
holders of the Trust Securities, the Company shall pursue such Ministerial
Action in lieu of redemption; and provided further, that the Company shall have
no right to redeem the Notes while the Trust is pursing any Ministerial Action
pursuant to its obligations under the Declaration.  The Special Redemption Price
shall be paid prior to 12:00 noon, New York time, on the date of such redemption
or at such earlier time as the Company determines and specifies in the notice of
redemption, provided the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount
sufficient to pay the Special Redemption Price by 11:00 a.m. on the date such
Special Redemption Price is to be paid.

          Section 3.2.  Optional Redemption by Company.  (a)  Subject to the
provisions of Article Three of the Indenture and to Section 3.2(b), the Company
shall have the right to redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, from time to
time, on or after __________, 200_, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the
principal amount to be redeemed plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon to
the date of such redemption (the "Optional Redemption Price"). Any redemption
pursuant to this paragraph will be made upon not less than 30 nor more than 60
days notice to the registered Holder of the Notes, at the Optional Redemption
Price.  If the Notes are only partially redeemed pursuant to this Section 3.2,
the Notes will be redeemed pro rata or by lot or by any other method utilized by
the Trustee; provided, that if at the time of redemption the Notes are
registered as a global Security, the Depositary shall determine by lot the
principal amount of such Notes held by each Noteholder to be redeemed. The
Optional Redemption Price shall be paid prior to 12:00 noon, New York time, on
the date of such

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
redemption or at such earlier time as the Company determines and specifies in
the notice of redemption, provided the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an
amount sufficient to pay the Optional Redemption Price by 11:00 a.m. on the date
such Optional Redemption Price is to be paid.

          (b)  If a partial redemption of the Notes would result in the
delisting of the Preferred Securities issued by the Trust from any national
securities exchange or other organization on which the Preferred Securities are
then listed, the Company shall not be permitted to effect such partial
redemption and may only redeem the Notes in whole.

          Section 3.3.  No Sinking Fund.  The Notes are not entitled to the
benefit of any sinking fund.


                                  ARTICLE IV

                     EXTENSION OF INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD

          Section 4.1.  Extension of Interest Payment Period.  The Company shall
have the right, at any time and from time to time prior to the Maturity Date, to
extend the interest payment period of such Notes for up to twenty (20)
consecutive quarters (the "Extended Interest Payment Period").  To the extent
permitted by applicable law, interest, the payment of which has been deferred
because of the extension of the interest payment period pursuant to this Section
4.1, will bear interest compounded quarterly at the Coupon Rate for each quarter
of the Extended Interest Payment Period ("Compounded Interest").  At the end of
the Extended Interest Payment Period, the Company shall pay all interest accrued
and unpaid on the Notes, including any Additional Interest ("Deferred
Interest"), which shall be payable to the Holders of the Notes in whose names
the Notes are registered in the security register maintained by the Registrar on
the first Regular Record Date after the end of the Extended Interest Payment
Period.  Before the termination of any Extended Interest Payment Period, the
Company may further extend such period, provided that such period together with
all such further extensions thereof shall not exceed twenty (20) consecutive
quarters or extend beyond the Maturity Date.  Upon the termination of any
Extended Interest Payment Period and upon the payment of all Deferred Interest
then due, the Company may select a new Extended Interest Payment Period, subject
to the foregoing requirements.  No interest shall be due and payable during an
Extended Interest Payment Period, except at the end thereof.

          Section 4.2.  Notice of Extension.  (a)  If the Property Trustee is
the only registered Holder of the Notes at the time the Company selects an
Extended Interest Payment Period, the Company shall give written notice to both
the Regular Trustees and the Property Trustee of its selection of such Extended
Interest Payment Period one Business Day before the earlier of (i) the next
succeeding date on which Distributions on the Trust Securities are payable, or
(ii) the date the Trust is required to give notice of the record or payment date
for

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
such Distributions to the New York Stock Exchange or other applicable self-
regulatory organization or to holders of the Preferred Securities, but in any
event at least one Business Day before such record date.

          (b)  If the Property Trustee is not the only Holder of the Notes at
the time the Company selects an Extended Interest Payment Period, the Company
shall give the Holders of the Notes and the Trustee written notice of its
selection of such Extended Interest Payment Period ten (10) Business Days before
the earlier of (i) the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, or (ii) the date
the Company is required to give notice of the record or payment date of such
interest payment to the New York Stock Exchange or other applicable self-
regulatory organization or to Holders of the Notes.

          (c)  The quarter in which any notice is given pursuant to paragraphs
(a) or (b) of this Section 4.2 shall be counted as one of the twenty quarters
permitted in the maximum Extended Interest Payment Period permitted under
Section 4.1.


                                   ARTICLE V

                                   EXPENSES

          Section 5.1.  Payment of Expenses.  In connection with the offering,
sale and issuance of the Notes to the Property Trustee in connection with the
sale of the Trust Securities by the Trust, and in connection with the
maintenance of the Trust for so long as the Trust Securities are outstanding,
the Company shall:

          (a)  pay all costs and expenses relating to the offering, sale and
issuance of the Notes, including commissions to the underwriters payable
pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement and the Pricing Agreement and
compensation of the Trustee under the Indenture in accordance with the
provisions of Section 7.07 of the Indenture;

          (b)  pay all costs and expenses of the Trust (including, but not
limited to, costs and expenses relating to the organization of the Trust, the
offering, sale and issuance of the Trust Securities (including commissions to
the underwriters payable pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement and the Pricing
Agreement), the fees and expenses of the Property Trustee and the Delaware
Trustee, the costs and expenses relating to the operation of the Trust,
including without limitation, costs and expenses of accountants, attorneys,
statistical or bookkeeping services, expenses for printing and engraving and
computing or accounting equipment, paying agent(s), registrar(s), transfer
agent(s), any Clearing Agency for the Notes, duplicating, travel and telephone
and other telecommunications expenses and costs and expenses incurred in
connection with the acquisition, financing, and disposition of Trust assets);

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
     (c)  be primarily liable for any indemnification obligations arising with
respect to the Declaration;

     (d)  pay any and all taxes, duties, assessments or governmental charges of
whatever nature (other than United States withholding taxes attributable to the
Trust or its assets) imposed on the Trust or its assets and all liabilities,
costs and expenses of the Trust with respect to such taxes, duties, assessments
or governmental charges; and

     (e)  pay any and all fees and expenses related to the enforcement by the
Property Trustee of the rights of the holders of the Preferred Securities.

                                  ARTICLE VI

                                 SUBORDINATION

     Section 6.1.  Agreement to Subordinate.  The Company covenants and agrees,
and each holder of Notes issued hereunder by such holder's acceptance thereof
likewise covenants and agrees, that all Notes shall be issued subject to the
provisions of this Article VI; and each holder of a Note, whether upon original
issue or upon transfer or assignment thereof, accepts and agrees to be bound by
such provisions.

     The payment by the Company of the principal of, premium, if any, and
interest on all Notes issued hereunder shall, to the extent and in the manner
hereinafter set forth, be subordinated and subject in right of payment to the
prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, whether outstanding at the
date of this Third Supplemental Indenture or thereafter incurred.

     This Article shall constitute a continuing offer to all Persons who, in
reliance upon such provisions, become holders of, or continue to hold, Senior
Indebtedness, and such provisions are made for the benefit of the holders of
Senior Indebtedness and such holders are made obligees hereunder and they and/or
each of them may enforce such provisions.

     No provision of this Article VI shall prevent the occurrence of any default
or Event of Default with respect to the Notes.

     Section 6.2.  Default on Senior Indebtedness.  In the event and during the
continuation of any default by the Company in the payment of principal, premium,
interest or any other amount due on any Senior Indebtedness, or in the event
that the maturity of any Senior Indebtedness has been accelerated because of a
default, then, in either case, no payment shall be made by the Company to the
Holders of the Notes with respect to the principal (including redemption and
sinking fund payments) of, or premium, if any, or interest on, or any other
amount owing in respect of, the Notes.

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
     In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment shall be
received by the Trustee or any Holder of the Notes when such payment is
prohibited by the preceding paragraph of this Section 6.2, such payment shall be
held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered to, the
holders of Senior Indebtedness or their respective representatives, or to the
trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any of such Senior
Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, but
only to the extent that the holders of the Senior Indebtedness (or their
representative or representatives or a trustee) notify the Trustee within 90
days of such payment of the amounts then due and owing on the Senior
Indebtedness and only the amounts specified in such notice to the Trustee shall
be paid to the holders of Senior Indebtedness.

     Section 6.3.  Liquidation; Dissolution; Bankruptcy.  Upon any payment by
the Company, or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character,
whether in cash, property or securities, to creditors upon any dissolution or
winding-up or liquidation or reorganization of the Company, whether voluntary or
involuntary or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings, all
amounts due upon all Senior Indebtedness shall first be paid in full, or payment
thereof provided for in money in accordance with its terms, before any payment
or distribution is made by the Company to the Holders of the Notes on account of
the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, or any other amount owing in
respect of, the Notes; and upon any such dissolution or winding-up or
liquidation or reorganization, any payment by the Company, or distribution of
assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or
securities, to which the Holders of the Notes or the Trustee would be entitled
to receive from the Company, except for the provisions of this Article VI, shall
be paid by the Company or by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating
trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, or by the
Holders of the Notes or by the Trustee under this Indenture if received by them
or it, directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness (pro rata to such holders
on the basis of the respective amounts of Senior Indebtedness held by such
holders, as calculated by the Company) or their representative or
representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to
which any instruments evidencing such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued,
as their respective interests may appear, to the extent necessary to pay such
Senior Indebtedness in full, in money or money's worth, after giving effect to
any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness, before any payment or distribution is made to the Holders of Notes
or to the Trustee.

     In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or
distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash,
property or securities, prohibited by the foregoing, shall be received by the
Trustee or the Holders of the Notes before all Senior Indebtedness is paid in
full, or provision is made for such payment in money in accordance with its
terms, such payment or distribution shall be held in trust for the benefit of
and shall be paid over or delivered to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness
or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under
any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing such Senior
Indebtedness may have been issued, as their

                                      10
<PAGE>
 
respective interests may appear, as calculated by the Company, for application
to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid to the extent
necessary to pay such Senior Indebtedness in full in money in accordance with
its terms, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or
for the benefit of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.

     For purposes of this Article VI, the words "cash, property or securities"
shall not be deemed to include shares of stock of the Company as reorganized or
readjusted, or securities of the Company or any other corporation provided for
by a plan of reorganization or readjustment, the payment of which is
subordinated at least to the extent provided in this Article VI with respect to
the Notes to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness that may at the time be
outstanding, provided that (i) such Senior Indebtedness is assumed by the new
corporation, if any, resulting from any such reorganization or readjustment, and
(ii) the rights of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness are not, without the
consent of such holders, altered by such reorganization or readjustment.  The
consolidation of the Company with, or the merger of the Company into, another
corporation or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company following the
conveyance or transfer of its property as an entirety, or substantially as an
entirety, to another corporation upon the terms and conditions provided for in
Article Five of the Indenture shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding-up,
liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section 6.3 if such other
corporation shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger, conveyance or
transfer, comply with the conditions stated in Article Five of the Indenture.
Nothing in Section 6.2 or in this Section 6.3 shall apply to claims of, or
payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 7.07 of the Indenture.

     Section 6.4.  Subrogation.  Subject to the payment in full of all Senior
Indebtedness, the rights of the Holders of the Notes shall be subrogated to the
rights of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness to receive payments or
distributions of cash, property or securities of the Company applicable to such
Senior Indebtedness until the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on,
and all other amounts owing in respect of, the Notes shall be paid in full; and,
for the purposes of such subrogation, no payments or distributions to the
holders of such Senior Indebtedness of any cash, property or securities to which
the Holders of the Notes or the Trustee would be entitled except for the
provisions of this Article VI, and no payment over pursuant to the provisions of
this Article VI, to or for the benefit of the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness by Holders of the Notes or the Trustee, shall, as between the
Company, its creditors other than holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the
Holders of the Notes be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or on account
of such Senior Indebtedness.  It is understood that the provisions of this
Article VI are and are intended solely for the purposes of defining the relative
rights of the Holders of the Notes, on the one hand, and the holders of Senior
Indebtedness on the other hand.

     Nothing contained in this Article VI or elsewhere in this Third
Supplemental Indenture or the Indenture or in the Notes is intended to or shall
impair, as between the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior
Indebtedness, and the Holders of the

                                      11
<PAGE>
 
Notes, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to
pay to the Holders of the Notes the principal of (and premium, if any) and
interest on and all other amounts owing in respect of the Notes as and when the
same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended
to or shall affect the relative rights of the Holders of the Notes and creditors
of the Company, other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, nor shall
anything herein or therein prevent the Trustee or the Holder of any Note from
exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under
the Indenture, as amended and supplemented by this Third Supplemental Indenture,
subject to the rights, if any, under this Article VI of the holders of such
Senior Indebtedness in respect of cash, property or securities of the Company
received upon the exercise of any such remedy.

     Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in
this Article VI, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 7.01 of the
Indenture, and the Holders of the Notes, shall be entitled to rely upon any
order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such
dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization proceedings are pending,
or a certificate of the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidation trustee,
agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the
Trustee or to the Holders of the Notes, for the purposes of ascertaining the
Persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of Senior
Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or
payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other
facts pertinent thereto or to this Article VI.

     Section 6.5.  Trustee to Effectuate Subordination.  Each Holder of a Note
by such holder's acceptance thereof authorizes and directs the Trustee on such
holder's behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to
effectuate the subordination provided in this Article VI and appoints the
Trustee as such holder's attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

     Section 6.6.  Notice by the Company.  The Company shall give prompt
written notice to a Trust Officer of any fact known to the Company that would
prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of
the Notes pursuant to the provisions of this Article VI.  Notwithstanding the
provisions of this Article VI or any other provision of the Indenture and this
Third Supplemental Indenture, the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of
the existence of any facts that would prohibit the making of any payment of
monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the Notes pursuant to the provisions
of this Article VI unless and until a Trust Officer shall have received written
notice thereof from the Company or a holder or holders of Senior Indebtedness or
from any representative or trustee therefor; and before the receipt of any such
written notice, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 7.01 of the
Indenture, shall be entitled in all respects to assume that no such facts exist;
provided, however, that if the Trustee shall not have received the notice
provided for in this Section 6.6 at least two Business Days prior to the date
upon which by the terms hereof any money may become payable for any purpose
(including, without limitation, the payment of the principal of (or premium, if
any) or interest on any Note) then, anything

                                      12
<PAGE>
 
herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall have full
power and authority to receive such money and to apply the same to the purposes
for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the
contrary that may be received by it within two Business Days prior to such date.

     The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 7.01 of the Indenture,
shall be entitled to rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person
representing himself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness (or a representative
or trustee on behalf of such holder) to establish that such notice has been
given by a holder of such Senior Indebtedness or a representative or trustee on
behalf of any such holder or holders.  In the event that the Trustee determines
in good faith that further evidence is required with respect to the right of any
Person as a holder of such Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or
distribution pursuant to this Article VI, the Trustee may request such Person to
furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount
of such Senior Indebtedness held by such Person, the extent to which such Person
is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other facts
pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article VI, and if such
evidence is not furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person
pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such
payment.

     Section 6.7.  Rights of the Trustee; Holders of Senior Indebtedness.  The
Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the rights set forth
in this Article VI in respect of any Senior Indebtedness at any time held by it,
to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness, and nothing in
this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder.

     With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, the Trustee undertakes
to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations as are
specifically set forth in this Article VI, and no implied covenants or
obligations with respect to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness shall be
read into the Indenture or this Third Supplemental Indenture against the
Trustee.  The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the
holders of Senior Indebtedness and, subject to the provisions of Section 7.01 of
the Indenture, the Trustee shall not be liable to any holder of Senior
Indebtedness if it shall pay over or deliver to Holders of Notes, the Company or
any other Person money or assets to which any holder of Senior Indebtedness
shall be entitled by virtue of this Article VI or otherwise.

     Section 6.8. Subordination May Not Be Impaired. No right of any present or
future holder of any Senior Indebtedness to enforce subordination as herein
provided shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or
failure to act on the part of the Company or by any act or failure to act, in
good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by the Company with the
terms, provisions and covenants of the Indenture or this Third Supplemental
Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof that any such holder may have or
otherwise be charged with.

                                      13
<PAGE>
 
     Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing paragraph, the
holders of Senior Indebtedness may, at any time and from time to time, without
the consent of or notice to the Trustee or the Holders of the Notes, without
incurring responsibility to the Holders of the Notes and without impairing or
releasing the subordination provided in this Article VI or the obligations
hereunder of the Holders of the Notes to the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness, do any one or more the following: (i) change the manner, place or
terms of payment or extend the time of payment of, or renew or alter, such
Senior Indebtedness, or otherwise amend or supplement in any manner such Senior
Indebtedness or any instrument evidencing the same or any agreement under which
such Senior Indebtedness is outstanding; (ii) sell, exchange, release or
otherwise deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise securing such
senior Indebtedness; (iii) release any Person liable in any manner for the
collection of such Senior Indebtedness; and (iv) exercise or refrain from
exercising any rights against the Company and any other Person.

                                  ARTICLE VII

                         COVENANT TO LIST ON EXCHANGE

     Section 7.1.  Listing on Exchange.  If the Notes are to be issued as a
global Security in connection with the distribution of the Notes to the holders
of the Preferred Securities upon a Dissolution Event, the Company will use its
best efforts to list such Notes on the New York Stock Exchange or on such other
exchange as the Preferred Securities are then listed.

                                 ARTICLE VIII

                                 FORM OF NOTE

     Section 8.1.  Form of Note.  The Notes and the Trustee's Certificate of
Authentication to be endorsed thereon are to be substantially in the following
forms:

                             (FORM OF FACE OF NOTE)

     [IF THE NOTE IS TO BE A GLOBAL SECURITY, INSERT:  This Note is a global
Note within the meaning of the Indenture hereinafter referred to and is
registered in the name of a depositary or a nominee of a depositary.  Unless and
until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Notes in definitive form, this
Note may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary to a nominee of
the depositary or another nominee of the depositary or by the depositary or any
such nominee to a successor depositary or a nominee of such successor
depositary.

     Unless this Note is presented by an authorized representative of The
Depository Trust Company (55 Water Street, New York, New York) to the issuer or
its agent for

                                      14
<PAGE>
 
registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any Note issued is registered
in the name of Cede & Co. or such other name as requested by an authorized
representative of The Depository Trust Company and any payment hereon is made to
Cede & Co., ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY A
PERSON IS WRONGFUL since the registered owner hereof, Cede Co., has an interest
herein.]

                                      15
<PAGE>
 
No.                                                $

CUSIP No.


                           TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

                 _____% SUBORDINATED DEFERRABLE INTEREST NOTE
                            DUE ____________, 20__


     TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Company", which term
includes any successor corporation under the Indenture hereinafter referred to),
for value received, hereby promises to pay to ________________ or registered
assigns, the principal sum of ________________ Dollars on ___________, 20__, and
to pay interest on said principal sum from ___________, 199_, or from the most
recent interest payment date (each such date, an "Interest Payment Date") to
which interest has been paid or duly provided for, quarterly (subject to
deferral as set forth herein) in arrears on March 31, June 30, September 30 and
December 31 of each year, commencing ____________, 199_, at the rate of ____%
per annum until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and on
any overdue principal and premium, if any, and (without duplication and to the
extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) on any
overdue installment of interest, compounded quarterly, at the same rate per
annum. The amount of interest payable on any Interest Payment Date shall be
computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. In the event
that any date on which interest is payable on this Note is not a Business Day,
then payment of interest payable on such date will be made on the next
succeeding day which is a Business Day (and without any interest or other
payment in respect of any such delay), except that, if such Business Day is in
the next succeeding calendar year, such payment shall be made on the immediately
preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force and effect as if made
on such date. The interest installment so payable, and punctually paid or duly
provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in the Indenture,
be paid to the Person in whose name this Note (or one or more Predecessor
Securities, as defined in said Indenture) is registered at the close of business
on the regular record date for such interest installment [which shall be the
close of business on the Business Day next preceding such Interest Payment
Date.] [IF PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 2.08 OF THE INDENTURE THE NOTES
ARE NO LONGER REPRESENTED BY A GLOBAL SECURITY -- which shall be [insert date
(to be selected by the Company) which is not less than 15 days prior to each
Interest Payment Date.]] Any such interest installment not punctually paid or
duly provided for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the registered Holders
on such regular record date, and may be paid to the Person in whose name this
Note (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of
business on a special record date to be fixed by the Company for the payment of
such defaulted interest,

                                      16
<PAGE>
 
notice whereof shall be given to the registered Holders of the Notes not less
than fifteen (15) days prior to such special record date, or may be paid at any
time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any
securities exchange on which the Notes may be listed, and upon such notice as
may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in the Indenture.
The principal of (and premium, if any) and the interest on this Note shall be
payable at the office or agency of the Trustee maintained for that purpose in
New York, New York, in any coin or currency of the United States of America
which at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private
debts; provided, however, that payment of interest may be made at the option of
the Company by check mailed to the registered Holder at such address as shall
appear in the security register maintained by the Registrar. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, so long as the Holder of this Note is the Property Trustee, the
payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this Note will
be made at such place and to such account as may by designated by the Property
Trustee.

     The indebtedness evidenced by this Note is, to the extent provided in the
Indenture, subordinate and junior in right of payment to the prior payment in
full of all Senior Indebtedness, and this Note is issued subject to the
provisions of the Indenture with respect thereto.  Each Holder of this Note, by
accepting the same, (a) agrees to and shall be bound by such provisions, (b)
authorizes and directs the Trustee on his behalf to take such action as may be
necessary or appropriate to acknowledge or effectuate the subordination so
provided and (c) appoints the Trustee his attorney-in-fact for any and all such
purposes.  Each Holder hereof, by his acceptance hereof, hereby waives all
notice of the acceptance of the subordination provisions contained herein and in
the Indenture by each holder of Senior Indebtedness, whether now outstanding or
hereafter incurred, and waives reliance by each such holder upon said
provisions.

     This Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture
hereinafter referred to, be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the
Certificate of Authentication hereon shall have been signed by or on behalf of
the Trustee.

     The provisions of this Note are continued on the reverse side hereof and
such continued provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though
fully set forth at this place.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be executed.

                                               TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
 
                                               By
                                                  [Title]

Attest:

                                      17
<PAGE>
 
By
     Name:
     Title:

                                      18
<PAGE>
 
                    (FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION)


Date:


                         CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

     This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein referred to
in the within-mentioned Indenture.


                                    THE BANK OF NEW YORK

                                                as Trustee

 
                                      By
                                               Authorized Signatory

                           (FORM OF REVERSE OF NOTE)

     This Note is one of a duly authorized series of Securities of the Company
designated its "____% Subordinated Deferrable Interest Notes due _______, 20__"
(herein sometimes referred to as the "Notes"), issued under and pursuant to an
Indenture dated as of January 29, 1996, duly executed and delivered between the
Company and The Bank of New York, not in its individual capacity but solely as
trustee (the "Trustee"), as supplemented by a Third Supplemental Indenture dated
as of ____________, 199_, between the Company and the Trustee (such Indenture as
so supplemented, the "Indenture"), to which Indenture and all indentures
supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of the rights,
limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the
Trustee, the Company and the Holders of the Notes. The terms of the Notes
include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by
reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as in effect on the date of the
Indenture (the "TIA").  This Note is subject to all such terms and the Holder of
this Note is referred to the Indenture and the TIA for a statement of those
terms.

                                      19
<PAGE>
 
     The Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company and are limited
(except as otherwise provided in the Indenture) to $___________ million in
aggregate principal amount.

     Upon the occurrence and continuation of a Tax Event, in certain
circumstances this Note may be redeemed by the Company at a redemption price
equal to 100% of the principal amount hereof, plus any accrued but unpaid
interest thereon to the date of such redemption (the "Special Redemption
Price").  The Special Redemption Price shall be paid prior to 12:00 noon, New
York time, on the date of such redemption or at such earlier time as the Company
determines.  The Company shall also have the right to redeem this Note at the
option of the Company, without premium or penalty, in whole or in part at any
time on or after ____________, 200_ (an "Optional Redemption"), at a redemption
price equal to 100% of the principal amount hereof, plus any accrued but unpaid
interest thereon to the date of such redemption (the "Optional Redemption
Price"). Any optional redemption pursuant to this paragraph will be made upon
not less than 30 nor more than 60 days notice, at the Optional Redemption Price.
If the Notes are only partially redeemed by the Company pursuant to an Optional
Redemption, the Notes will be redeemed pro rata or by lot or by any other method
utilized by the Trustee; provided that if at the time of redemption the Notes
are registered as a global Note, the depositary shall determine by lot the
interest of each of its participants in such global Note to be redeemed.

     In the event of redemption of this Note in part only, a new Note or Notes
of this series for the unredeemed portion hereof will be issued in the name of
the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.

     In case an Event of Default, as defined in the Indenture, shall have
occurred and be continuing, the principal of all of the Notes may be declared,
and upon such declaration shall become, due and payable, in the manner, with the
effect and subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture.

     The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee,
with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the Securities of each series affected at the time outstanding, as defined in
the Indenture, to amend or supplement the Indenture or the Securities of any
series (including the Notes) for the purpose of adding any provisions to or
changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the Indenture or
of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Securities
(including the Notes); provided, however, that no such amendment or supplement
shall (i) extend the fixed maturity of any Securities of any series, or reduce
the principal amount thereof, or reduce the rate or extend the time for payment
of interest thereon, without the consent of the Holder of each Security of such
series so affected or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage in aggregate
principal amount of Securities, the Holders of which are required to consent to
any such amendment or supplement, without the consent of the Holders of each
Security then outstanding and affected thereby.  The Indenture also contains
provisions

                                      20
<PAGE>
 
permitting the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Securities of any series at the time outstanding affected thereby, on behalf of
all of the Holders of the Securities of such series, to waive any past default
in the performance of any of the covenants contained in the Indenture, or
established pursuant to the Indenture with respect to such series, and its
consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of or interest,
if any, on any of the Securities of such series.  Any such consent or waiver by
the registered Holder of this Note (unless revoked as provided in the Indenture)
shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders and
owners of this Note and of any Note issued in exchange herefor or in place
hereof (whether by registration of transfer or otherwise), irrespective of
whether or not any notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Note.

     No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of
the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is
absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and
interest on this Note at the time and place and at the rate and in the money
herein prescribed.

     The Company shall have the right at any time during the term of the Notes,
and from time to time, to extend the interest payment period of the Notes for up
to twenty (20) consecutive quarters (an "Extended Interest Payment Period"), at
the end of which period the Company shall pay all interest then accrued and
unpaid (together with interest thereon at the rate specified for the Notes to
the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law).
Before the termination of any such Extended Interest Payment Period, the Company
may further extend such Extended Interest Payment Period, provided that such
Extended Interest Payment Period together with all such further extensions
thereof shall not exceed twenty (20) consecutive quarters or extend beyond the
maturity of the Notes.  At the termination of any such Extended Interest Payment
Period and upon the payment of all accrued and unpaid interest and any
additional amounts then due, the Company may select a new Extended Interest
Payment Period, subject to the foregoing requirements.

     As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set
forth, this Note is transferable by the registered Holder hereof on the security
register of the Company maintained by the Registrar, upon surrender of this Note
for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Trustee in New York,
New York accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form
satisfactory to the Company or the Trustee duly executed by the registered
Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or
more new Notes of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal
amount will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.  No service
charge will be made for any such transfer, but the Company may require payment
of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in
relation thereto.

     Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of this Note, the
Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent and the Registrar may deem and treat the
registered Holder hereof as the absolute owner hereof (whether or not this Note
shall be overdue and

                                      21
<PAGE>
 
notwithstanding any notice of ownership or writing hereon made by anyone other
than the Registrar) for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and
interest due hereon and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the
Trustee nor any Paying Agent nor the Registrar shall be affected by any notice
to the contrary.

     No past, present or future director, officer, employee or stockholder, as
such, of the Company or the Trustee or any successor of either thereof shall
have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Trustee under the
Notes or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason
of, such obligations or their creation, all such liability being, by the
acceptance hereof and as part of the consideration for the issuance hereof,
expressly waived and released.

     [The Notes of this series are issuable only in registered form without
coupons in denominations of $25 and any integral multiple thereof.] [This global
Note is exchangeable for Notes in definitive form only under certain limited
circumstances set forth in the Indenture. Notes so issued are issuable only in
registered form without coupons in denominations of $25 and any integral
multiple thereof.]  As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain
limitations therein set forth, Notes so issued are exchangeable for a like
aggregate principal amount of Notes of a different authorized denomination, as
requested by the Holder surrendering the same.

     This Note shall be governed by the internal laws of the State of New York.

     All terms used in this Note which are defined in the Indenture shall have
the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.


                                  ARTICLE IX

                            ORIGINAL ISSUE OF NOTES

     Section 9.1.  Original Issue of Notes.  Notes in the aggregate principal
amount of $__________ may, upon execution of this Third Supplemental Indenture,
be executed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee for authentication, and
the Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and deliver said Notes to or upon the
written order of the Company, signed by its Chairman, its President, or any Vice
President and its Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, or Secretary without any
further action by the Company.

                                      22
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE X

                               CERTAIN COVENANTS

     The following covenants shall apply to the Notes (but not with respect to
any other series of Securities), and are in addition to the covenants set forth
in Article Four of the Indenture.

     Section 10.1. Limitation on Dividends and Other Payments. If (i) there
shall have occurred any event that constitutes an Event of Default or (ii) the
Company shall be in default with respect to its payment of any obligations under
the Preferred Securities Guarantee, then (a) the Company shall not declare or
pay any dividend on, make any distributions with respect to, or redeem, purchase
or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of its capital stock, (b) the
Company shall not make any payment of interest, principal or premium, if any, on
or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities issued by the Company which
rank pari passu with or junior to the Notes, and (c) the Company shall not make
any guarantee payments with respect to the foregoing (other than pursuant to the
Preferred Securities Guarantee).

     If the Company shall have given notice of its election to defer payments of
interest on the Notes by extending the interest payment period as provided in
Article IV and such period, or any extension thereof, shall be continuing, then
(i) the Company shall not declare or pay any dividend or, make any distributions
with respect to, or redeem, purchase or make a liquidation payment with respect
to, any of its capital stock, (ii) the Company shall not make any payment of
interest, principal, premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt
securities issued by the Company which rank pari passu with or junior to the
Notes, and (iii) the Company shall not make any guarantee payments with respect
to the foregoing (other than pursuant to the Preferred Securities Guarantee).

     Notwithstanding the foregoing restrictions, nothing in this Section 10.1
shall prevent the Company, in any event, from making dividend, redemption,
liquidation or guarantee payments on capital stock, or interest, principal,
redemption or guarantee payments on debt securities issued by the Company
ranking pari passu with or junior to the Notes, where the payment is made by way
of (i) securities (including capital stock) that rank junior to the securities
on which such payment is being made or (ii) securities (including capital stock)
of Tele-Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation (or any successor of such
corporation).

     Section 10.2.  Covenants as to the Trust. For so long as the Trust
Securities remain outstanding, the Company will (i) maintain 100% direct or
indirect ownership of the Common Securities; provided, however, that any
permitted successor of the Company under the Indenture may succeed to the
Company's ownership of the Common Securities, (ii) not to cause, as sponsor of
the Trust, or to permit, as the holder of the Common Securities of the Trust,
the termination, dissolution or winding-up of the Trust, except in connection
with a

                                      23
<PAGE>
 
distribution of the Notes as provided in the Declaration and in connection with
certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations as permitted by the
Declaration, (iii) use its reasonable efforts to cause the Trust (a) to remain a
statutory business trust, except in connection with a distribution of Notes to
the holders of the Preferred Securities in liquidation of the Trust, or certain
mergers, consolidations or amalgamations, each as permitted by the Declaration,
and (b) to otherwise continue to be treated as a grantor trust for United States
federal income tax purposes and (iv) use its reasonable efforts to cause each
holder of Trust Securities to be treated as owning an individual beneficial
interest in the Notes.


                                  ARTICLE XI

                           CERTAIN EVENTS OF DEFAULT

     Section 11.1. Additional Events of Default. An Event of Default with
respect to the Notes shall include those events described in Section 6.01 of the
Indenture and, with respect to the Notes only, the occurrence of any of the
following events: the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding up or
termination of the Trust, except in connection with (i) the distribution of
Notes to holders of Preferred Securities in liquidation or redemption of their
interests in the Trust, (ii) the redemption of all of the outstanding Preferred
Securities, or (iii) certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations, each as
permitted by the provisions of the Declaration.

     Section 11.2. Waiver of Existing Defaults. Notwithstanding Section 6.04 of
the Indenture, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Notes may not waive a Default or an existing Event of Default (i) in the payment
of the principal of or accrued interest on the Notes, unless the Company has
paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all matured
installments of interest (with interest on overdue interest at the rate
specified in Section 2.5(a)) upon all of the Notes and the principal of the
Notes that shall have become due otherwise than by acceleration or (ii) that
arise out of a breach by the Company of Section 10.1. Section 6.02 of the
Indenture shall, in all other respects and as modified by this Section 11.2,
apply to the Notes.


                                  ARTICLE XII

                                 MISCELLANEOUS

     Section 12.1.  Supplemental Indenture Incorporated Into Indenture.
This Third Supplemental Indenture is executed by the Company and the Trustee
pursuant to the provisions of Sections 2.01 and 2.02 of the Indenture, and the
terms and conditions hereof shall be deemed to be part of the Indenture for all
purposes relating to the Notes.  The provisions of the Indenture, as modified by
this Third Supplemental Indenture, are effective with respect to

                                      24
<PAGE>
 
the Notes, and are not effective with respect to any series of Securities to be
issued pursuant to any subsequent supplemental indenture or resolution of the
Board of Directors.  The Indenture, as supplemented by this Third Supplemental
Indenture, is in all respects adopted, ratified and confirmed.

     Section 12.2.  Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals; Disclaimer. The
recitals herein contained are made by the Company and not by the Trustee, and
the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness thereof. The Trustee
makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Third
Supplemental Indenture.

     Section 12.3.  Governing Law.  This Third Supplemental Indenture and each
Note shall be deemed to be a contract made under the internal laws of the State
of New York, and for all purposes shall be construed in accordance with the laws
of said State.

     Section 12.4.  Separability.  In case any one or more of the provisions
contained in this Third Supplemental Indenture or in the Notes shall for any
reason be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such
invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions
of this Third Supplemental Indenture or of the Notes, but this Third
Supplemental Indenture and the Notes shall be construed as if such invalid or
illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein or therein.

     Section 12.5.  Counterparts.  This Third Supplemental Indenture may be
executed in any number of counterparts each of which shall be an original; but
such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

     Section 12.6.  Acknowledgment of Rights of Holders of Preferred Securities.
The Company hereby acknowledges the right of each holder of Preferred
Securities, upon and during the continuance of an Event of Default under the
Declaration that results from the failure of the Company to pay principal of or
interest on the Notes when due, to directly institute proceedings against the
Company to obtain payment to such holder of an amount equal to the principal or
interest so defaulted on with respect to Notes in a principal amount equal to
the aggregate liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities owned by such
holder.

                                      25
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Third Supplemental
Indenture to be duly executed, and their respective corporate seals to be
hereunto affixed and attested, as of the day and year first above written.



                                                TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

                                                By ___________________________
                                                  Name:
                                                  Title:





Attest: __________________________
      Title:


                                                THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
 
                                                      as Trustee
 
                                                By:___________________________
                                                  Name:
                                                  Title:
 
 
Attest:___________________________
  Title:

                                      26
<PAGE>
 
STATE OF     )
COUNTY OF      )    ss:


     On the day of         , 1996 before me personally came ______________, to
me known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he is the
____________ of TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC., one of the corporations described in
and which executed the above instrument; that he knows the corporate seal of
said corporation; that the seal affixed to the said instrument is such corporate
seal; that it was so affixed by authority of the Board of Directors of said
corporation, and that he signed his name thereto by like authority.

                                 NOTARY PUBLIC

[seal]                           Commission expires

                                    
STATE OF     )
COUNTY OF      )    ss:
 
     On the day of , 1996 before me personally came , to me known, who, being by
me duly sworn, did depose and say that he is of THE BANK OF NEW YORK, one of the
corporations described in and which executed the above instrument; that he knows
the corporate seal of said corporation; that the seal affixed to the said
instrument is such corporate seal; that it was so affixed by authority of the
Board of Directors of said corporation, and that he signed his name thereto by
like authority.
                                 NOTARY PUBLIC 
[seal]                            
                                 Commission expires



                               27               

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.17

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


                    PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT


                            TCI Communications, Inc.


                          Dated as of _________, 199_


                      ====================================
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
                               -----------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                  Page
                                                                                                  ----
<S>                                                                                               <C>       
ARTICLE I
     DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

     SECTION 1.1 Definitions and Interpretation....................................................  2
                 ------------------------------

ARTICLE II
     TRUST INDENTURE ACT

     SECTION 2.1 Trust Indenture Act; Application..................................................  5
                 --------------------------------
     SECTION 2.2 Lists of Holders of Securities....................................................  5
                 ------------------------------
     SECTION 2.3 by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee................................................  5
                 ----------------------------------
     SECTION 2.4 Periodic Reports to Preferred Guarantee Trustee...................................  6
                 -----------------------------------------------
     SECTION 2.5 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent..................................  6
                 ------------------------------------------------
     SECTION 2.6 Events of Default; Waiver.........................................................  6
                 -------------------------
     SECTION 2.7 Events of Default; Notice.........................................................  6
                 -------------------------
     SECTION 2.8 Conflicting Interests.............................................................  7
                 ---------------------

ARTICLE III
     POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF
     PREFERRED GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

     SECTION 3.1 Powers and Duties of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee..............................  7
                 ----------------------------------------------------
     SECTION 3.2 Certain Rights of Preferred Guarantee Trustee.....................................  9
                 ---------------------------------------------
     SECTION 3.3.Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Guarantee............................. 11
                 -----------------------------------------------------

ARTICLE IV
     PREFERRED GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

     SECTION 4.1 Preferred Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility.......................................... 11
                 ----------------------------------------
     SECTION 4.2 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Preferred Guarantee Trustees.............. 11
                 --------------------------------------------------------------------

ARTICLE V
     GUARANTEE

     SECTION 5.1 Guarantee......................................................................... 12
                 ---------
     SECTION 5.2 Waiver of Notice and Demand....................................................... 12
                 ---------------------------
     SECTION 5.3 Obligations Not Affected.......................................................... 13
                 ------------------------
     SECTION 5.4 Rights of Holders................................................................. 14
                 -----------------
 </TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                                  Page    
                                                                                                  ----
<S>                                                                                               <C>                          
     SECTION 5.5 Guarantee of Payment.............................................................. 14
                 --------------------
     SECTION 5.6 Subrogation....................................................................... 14
                 -----------
     SECTION 5.7 Independent Obligations........................................................... 14
                 -----------------------

ARTICLE VI
     LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION

     SECTION 6.1 Limitation of Transactions........................................................ 15
                 --------------------------
     SECTION 6.2 Ranking........................................................................... 15
                 -------

ARTICLE VII
     TERMINATION

     SECTION 7.1 Termination....................................................................... 16
                 -----------

ARTICLE VIII
     INDEMNIFICATION

     SECTION 8.1 Exculpation....................................................................... 16
                 -----------
     SECTION 8.2 Indemnification................................................................... 17
                 ---------------

ARTICLE IX
     MISCELLANEOUS

     SECTION 9.1 Successors and Assigns............................................................ 17
                 ----------------------
     SECTION 9.2 Amendments........................................................................ 17
                 ----------
     SECTION 9.3 Notices........................................................................... 18
                 -------
     SECTION 9.4 Benefit........................................................................... 18
                 -------
     SECTION 9.5 Governing Law..................................................................... 19
                 -------------
     SECTION 9.6 No Recourse Against Certain Persons............................................... 19
                 -----------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                      ii
<PAGE>
 
                    PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT


          This GUARANTEE AGREEMENT (the "Preferred Securities Guarantee"), dated
as of _________, 199_, is executed and delivered by TCI Communications, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Guarantor"), and The Bank of New York, a New York
banking corporation, as trustee (the "Preferred Guarantee Trustee"), for the
benefit of the Holders (as defined herein) from time to time of the Preferred
Securities (as defined herein) of TCI Communications Financing V, a Delaware
statutory business trust (the "Issuer").

                                  WITNESSETH:
                                  -----------

          WHEREAS, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (the
"Declaration"), dated as of _________, 199_, among the trustees of the Issuer
named therein, the Guarantor, as sponsor, and the holders from time to time of
undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer, the Issuer is
issuing on the date hereof ___________ preferred securities, having an aggregate
liquidation amount of $_________, designated the ___% Trust Originated Preferred
Securities (the "Preferred Securities");

          WHEREAS, as incentive for the Holders to purchase the Preferred
Securities, the Guarantor desires irrevocably and unconditionally to agree, to
the extent set forth in this Prefer  red Securities Guarantee, to pay to the
Holders of the Preferred Securities the Guarantee Pay  ments (as defined herein)
and to make certain other payments on the terms and conditions set forth herein;

          WHEREAS, the Guarantor is also executing and delivering a guarantee
agreement (the "Common Securities Guarantee") with substantially identical terms
as this Preferred Secur  ities Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of the
Common Securities (as defined herein), except that if an Indenture Event of
Default (as defined herein), has occurred and is continuing, the rights of
holders of the Common Securities to receive Guarantee Payments under the Common
Securities Guarantee are subordinated to the rights of Holders of Preferred
Securities to receive Guarantee Payments under this Preferred Securities
Guarantee.

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase by each Holder of
Preferred Securities, which purchase the Guarantor hereby agrees shall benefit
the Guarantor, the Guarantor executes and delivers this Preferred Securities
Guarantee for the benefit of the Holders.
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE I
                        DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

SECTION 1.1   Definitions and Interpretation
              ------------------------------

          In this Preferred Securities Guarantee, unless the context otherwise
requires:

          (a)  Capitalized terms used in this Preferred Securities Guarantee but
not defined in the preamble above have the respective meanings assigned to them
in this Section 1.1;

          (b)  a term defined anywhere in this Preferred Securities Guarantee
has the same meaning throughout;

          (c)  all references to "the Preferred Securities Guarantee" or "this
Preferred Securities Guarantee" are to this Preferred Securities Guarantee as
modified, supplemented or amended from time to time;

          (d)  all references in this Preferred Securities Guarantee to Articles
and Sections are to Articles and Sections of this Preferred Securities
Guarantee, unless otherwise specified;

          (e)  a term defined in the Trust Indenture Act has the same meaning
when used in this Preferred Securities Guarantee, unless otherwise defined in
this Preferred Securities Guarantee or unless the context otherwise requires;
and

          (f)  a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice versa.

          "Affiliate" has the same meaning as given to that term in Rule 405 of
           ---------                                                           
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor rule thereunder.

          "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other
           ------------                                                      
day on which banking institutions in The City of New York, New York are
authorized or required by any applicable law to close.

          "Common Securities" means the securities representing common undivided
           -----------------                                                    
beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer.

          "Covered Person" means any Holder or beneficial owner of Preferred
           --------------                                                   
Securities.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
          "Event of Default" means a default by the Guarantor on any of its
           ----------------                                                
payment or other obligations under this Preferred Securities Guarantee.

          "Guarantee Payments" means the following payments or distributions,
           ------------------                                                
without duplication, with respect to the Preferred Securities, to the extent not
paid or made by the Issuer: (i) any accrued and unpaid Distributions (as defined
in the Declaration) that are required to be paid on such Preferred Securities to
the extent the Issuer has funds available therefore, (ii) the redemption price,
including all accrued and unpaid Distributions to the date of redemption (the
"Redemption Price"), to the extent the Issuer has funds available therefor, with
respect to any Preferred Securities called for redemption by the Issuer, and
(iii) upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or termination of
the Issuer (other than in connection with the distribu  tion of Subordinated
Notes to the Holders in exchange for Preferred Securities as provided in the
Declaration), the lesser of (a) the aggregate of the liquidation amount and all
accrued and unpaid Distributions on the Preferred Securities to the date of
payment, to the extent the Issuer shall have funds available therefor, and (b)
the amount of assets of the Issuer remaining available for distribution to
Holders in liquidation of the Issuer (in either case, the "Liquidation
Distribution"). If an Indenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing,
the rights of holders of the Common Securities to receive payments under the
Common Securities Guarantee Agreement are subordinated to the rights of Holders
of Preferred Securities to receive Guarantee Payments.

          "Holder" shall mean any holder, as registered on the books and records
           ------                                                               
of the Issuer, of any Preferred Securities; provided, however, that, in
                                            --------  -------          
determining whether the holders of the requisite percentage of Preferred
Securities have given any request, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, "Holder"
shall not include the Guarantor or any Affiliate of the Guarantor.

          "Indemnified Person" means the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, any
           ------------------                                            
Affiliate of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, or any officers, directors,
shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives or agents of the
Preferred Guarantee Trustee.

          "Indenture" means the Indenture dated as of January 29, 1996, among
           ---------                                                         
the Guarantor and The Bank of New York, as trustee, and the _______ Supplemental
Indenture thereto pursuant to which certain subordinated debt securities of the
Guarantor are to be issued to the Property Trustee (as defined in the
Declaration).

          "Indenture Event of Default" has the same meaning as that given to the
           --------------------------                                           
term "Event of Default" in the Indenture.

          "Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities" means, except as
           ------------------------------------------------                  
provided by the Trust Indenture Act, a vote by Holder(s) of Preferred
Securities, voting separately as a class, of more than 50% of the liquidation
amount (including the stated amount that would be paid on redemption,
liquidation or otherwise, plus accrued and unpaid Distributions to the date upon
which the voting percentages are determined) of all Preferred Securities
outstanding as of the date of determination.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
          "Officers' Certificate" means, with respect to any Person, a
           ---------------------                                      
certificate signed by two Authorized Officers (as defined in the Declaration) of
such Person.  Any Officers' Certificate delivered with respect to compliance
with a condition or covenant provided for in this Preferred Securities Guarantee
shall include:

          (a)  a statement that each officer signing the Officers' Certificate
      has read the covenant or condition and the definition relating thereto;

          (b)  a brief statement of the nature and scope of the examination or
     investigation undertaken by each officer in rendering the Officers'
     Certificate;

          (c)  a statement that each such officer has made such examination or
     investigation as, in such officer's opinion, is necessary to enable such
     officer to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant
     or condition has been complied with; and

          (d)  a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such officer,
     such condition or covenant has been complied with.

          "Person" means a legal person, including any individual, corporation,
           ------                                                              
estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, limited
liability company, trust, unincorporated association, or government or any
agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity of whatever nature.

          "Preferred Guarantee Trustee" means The Bank of New York, until a
           ---------------------------                                     
Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such
appointment pursuant to the terms of this Preferred Securities Guarantee and
thereafter means each such Successor Pre  ferred Guarantee Trustee.

          "Responsible Officer" means, with respect to the Preferred Guarantee
           -------------------                                                
Trustee, any vice president, any assistant vice president, the secretary, any
assistant secretary, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer, any trust officer
or assistant trust officer or any other officer of the corporate trust
department of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee customarily performing functions
similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also
means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to
whom such matter is referred because of that officer's knowledge of and
familiarity with the particular subject.

          "Subordinated Notes" means the series of subordinated debt securities
           ------------------                                                  
of the Guarantor, designated the ____% Subordinated Deferrable Interest Notes
due ________, 20__, held by the Property Trustee.

          "Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee" means a successor Preferred
           -------------------------------------                             
Guarantee Trustee possessing the qualifications to act as Preferred Guarantee
Trustee under Section 4.1.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
          "TCI" means Tele-Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
           ---                                                          
 
          "Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
           -------------------                                           
amended.


                                  ARTICLE II
                              TRUST INDENTURE ACT

SECTION 2.1   Trust Indenture Act; Application
              --------------------------------

              (a)  This Preferred Securities Guarantee is subject to the
provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of this
Preferred Securities Guarantee and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed
by such provisions; and

              (b)  if and to the extent that any provision of this Preferred
Securities Guarantee limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by
Sections 310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties
shall control.

 SECTION 2.2   Lists of Holders of Securities
               ------------------------------

          (a)  The Guarantor shall provide the Preferred Guarantee Trustee with
a list, in such form as the Preferred Guarantee Trustee may reasonably require,
of the names and addresses of the Holders of the Preferred Securities ("List of
Holders") (i) as of January 1 and June 30 of each year, within one Business Day
thereafter, and (ii) at any other time within 30 days of receipt by the
Guarantor of a written request from the Preferred Guarantee Trustee for a List
of Holders, which shall be as of a date no more than 14 days before such List of
Holders is given to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee; provided, that the
                                                     --------          
Guarantor shall not be obligated to provide such List of Holders at any time the
List of Holders does not differ from the most recent List of Holders given to
the Preferred Guarantee Trustee by the Guarantor. The Preferred Guarantee
Trustee may destroy any List of Holders previously given to it on receipt of a
new List of Holders.

               (b)  The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall comply with its
obligations under Section 311(a), 311(b) and Section 312(b) of the Trust
Indenture Act.

 SECTION 2.3   Reports by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee
               ------------------------------------------

               Within 60 days after May 15 of each year, the Preferred Guarantee
Trustee shall provide to the Holders of the Preferred Securities such reports as
are required by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act, if any, in the form and
in the manner provided by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act.  The Preferred
Guarantee Trustee shall also comply with the requirements of Section 313(d) of
the Trust Indenture Act.

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 2.4   Periodic Reports to Preferred Guarantee Trustee
              -----------------------------------------------

               The Guarantor shall provide to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee
such documents, reports and information as required by Section 314 (if any) and
the compliance certificate required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act in
the form, in the manner and at the times required by Section 314 of the Trust
Indenture Act.

SECTION 2.5   Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent
              ------------------------------------------------

               The Guarantor shall provide to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee
such evidence of compliance with any conditions precedent, if any, provided for
in this Preferred Securities Guarantee that relate to any of the matters set
forth in Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any certificate or opinion
required to be given by an officer pursuant to Section 314(c)(1) may be given in
the form of an Officers' Certificate.

SECTION 2.6   Events of Default; Waiver
              -------------------------

               The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of Preferred
Securities may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Preferred
Securities, waive any past Event of Default and its consequences.  Upon such
waiver, any such Event of Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default
arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this
Preferred Securities Guarantee, but no such waiver shall extend to any
subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent
thereon.

SECTION 2.7   Events of Default; Notice
              -------------------------

               (a)  The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall, within 90 days after
the occurrence of an Event of Default, transmit by mail, first class postage
prepaid, to the Holders of the Pre ferred Securities, notices of all Events of
Default known to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, unless such defaults have been
cured before the giving of such notice; provided, that the Preferred Guarantee
                                        --------                              
Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the
board of directors, the executive committee, or a trust committee of directors
and/or Responsible Officers of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee in good faith
determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the
Holders of the Preferred Securities.

               (b)  The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be deemed to have
knowledge of any Event of Default unless the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall
have received written notice, or a Responsible Officer charged with the
administration of the Declaration shall have obtained written notice, of such
Event of Default.

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 2.8   Conflicting Interests
              ---------------------

               The Declaration shall be deemed to be specifically described in
this Preferred Securities Guarantee for the purposes of clause (i) of the first
proviso contained in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.


                                  ARTICLE III
                         POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF
                          PREFERRED GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

SECTION 3.1   Powers and Duties of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee
              ----------------------------------------------------

               (a)  This Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be held by the
Preferred Guarantee Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Preferred
Securities, and the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not transfer this
Preferred Securities Guarantee to any Person except a Holder of Preferred
Securities exercising his or her rights pursuant to Section 5.4(b) or to a
Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee on acceptance by such Successor Preferred
Guarantee Trustee of its appointment to act as Successor Preferred Guarantee
Trustee. The right, title and interest of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall
automatically vest in any Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee, and such
vesting (and cessation as to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee) of title shall be
effective whether or not conveyancing documents have been executed and delivered
pursuant to the appointment of such Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee.

               (b)  If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the
Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall enforce this Preferred Securities Guarantee
for the benefit of the Holders of the Preferred Securities.

               (c)  The Preferred Guarantee Trustee, before the occurrence of
any Event of Default and after the curing of all Events of Default that may have
occurred, shall undertake to perform only such duties as are specifically set
forth in this Preferred Securities Guarantee, and no implied covenants shall be
read into this Preferred Securities Guarantee against the Preferred Guarantee
Trustee. In case an Event of Default has occurred (that has not been cured or
waived pursuant to Section 2.6), the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall exercise
such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Preferred Securities
Guarantee, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise thereof, as
a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of
his or her own affairs.

               (d)  No provision of this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be
construed to relieve the Preferred Guarantee Trustee from liability for its own
negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful
misconduct, except that:

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
     (i)    prior to the occurrence of any Event of Default and after the
curing or waiving of all such Events of Default that may have occurred:

            (A)  the duties and obligations of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee
     shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Preferred
     Securities Guarantee, and the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be
     liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are
     specifically set forth in this Preferred Securities Guarantee, and no
     implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Preferred
     Securities Guarantee against the Preferred Guarantee Trustee; and

            (B)  in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Preferred
     Guarantee Trustee, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee may conclusively rely,
     as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions
     expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the
     Preferred Guarantee Trustee and conform ing to the requirements of this
     Preferred Securities Guarantee; but in the case of any such certificates or
     opinions that by any provision hereof are specifically required to be
     furnished to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, the Preferred Guarantee
     Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or
     not they conform to the requirements of this Preferred Securities
     Guarantee;

     (ii)   the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for any error of
judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Preferred Guarantee
Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Preferred Guarantee Trustee was
negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts upon which such judgment was made;

     (iii)  the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable with respect to
any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with
the direction of the Holders of not less than a Majority in liquidation amount
of the Preferred Securities relating to the time, method and place of conducting
any proceeding for any remedy available to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, or
exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Preferred Guarantee Trustee
under this Preferred Securities Guarantee; and

     (iv)   no provision of this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall require
the Pre ferred Guarantee Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise
incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in
the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if the Preferred Guarantee Trustee
shall have reasonable grounds for believing that the repayment of such funds or
liability is not reasonably assured to it under the terms of this Preferred
Securities Guarantee or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not
reasonably assured to it.

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 3.2   Certain Rights of Preferred Guarantee Trustee
              ---------------------------------------------

               (a)    Subject to the provisions of Section 3.1:

               (i)    The Preferred Guarantee Trustee may rely, and shall be
     fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon, any resolution,
     certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request,
     direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evi dence of
     indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to
     have been signed, sent or presented by the proper party or parties.

               (ii)   Any direction or act of the Guarantor contemplated by this
     Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be sufficiently evidenced by a
     Direction (as defined in the Declaration) or an Officers' Certificate.

               (iii)  Whenever, in the administration of this Preferred
     Securities Guarantee, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall deem it
     desirable that a matter be proved or established before taking, suffering
     or omitting any action hereunder, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee (unless
     other evidence is herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of
     bad faith on its part, request and rely upon an Officers' Certificate
     which, upon receipt of such re quest, shall be promptly delivered by the
     Guarantor.

               (iv)   The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall have no duty to see
     to any recording, filing or registration of any instrument (or any
     rerecording, refiling or reregis tration thereof).

               (v)    The Preferred Guarantee Trustee may consult with counsel
     of its selection, and the advice or opinion of such counsel with respect to
     legal matters shall be full and complete authorization and protection in
     respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good
     faith and in accordance with such advice or opinion. Such coun sel may be
     counsel to the Guarantor or any of its Affiliates and may include any of
     its employees. The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall have the right at any
     time to seek instructions concerning the administration of this Preferred
     Securities Guarantee from any court of competent jurisdiction.

               (vi)   The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be under no
     obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this
     Preferred Securities Guarantee at the request or direction of any Holder,
     unless such Holder shall have provided to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee
     such adequate security and indemnity as would satisfy a reasonable person
     in the position of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, against the costs,
     expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses) and liabilities that
     might be incurred by it in complying with such request or direction,
     including such reasonable advances as may be requested by the Preferred
     Guarantee Trustee; provided that, nothing contained in
                        --------

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
     this Section 3.2(a)(vi) shall be taken to relieve the Preferred Guarantee
     Trustee, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, of its obligation to
     exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Preferred Securities
     Guarantee.

               (vii)  The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be bound to make
     any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution,
     certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request,
     direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of
     indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Preferred Guarantee
     Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation
     into such facts or matters as it may see fit.

               (viii) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee may execute any of the
     trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly
     or by or through agents or attor neys, and the Preferred Guarantee Trustee
     shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of
     any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder.

               (ix)   Any action taken by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee or its
     agents hereun der shall bind the Holders of the Preferred Securities, and
     the signature of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee or its agents alone shall
     be sufficient and effective to perform any such action. No third party
     shall be required to inquire as to the authority of the Preferred Guarantee
     Trustee to so act or as to its compliance with any of the terms and
     provisions of this Preferred Securities Guarantee, both of which shall be
     conclusively evidenced by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee's or its agent's
     taking such action.

               (x)    Whenever in the administration of this Preferred
     Securities Guarantee the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall deem it
     desirable to receive instructions with respect to enforcing any remedy or
     right or taking any other action hereunder, the Preferred Guaran tee
     Trustee (i) may request instructions from the Holders of a Majority in
     liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities, (ii) may refrain from
     enforcing such remedy or right or taking such other action until such
     instructions are received, and (iii) shall be protected in acting in
     accordance with such instructions.

               (b)  No provision of this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be
deemed to impose any duty or obligation on the Preferred Guarantee Trustee to
perform any act or acts or exercise any right, power, duty or obligation
conferred or imposed on it in any jurisdiction in which it shall be illegal, or
in which the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be unqualified or incompetent in
accordance with applicable law, to perform any such act or acts or to exercise
any such right, power, duty or obligation. No permissive power or authority
available to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be construed to be a duty.

                                      10
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 3.3.  Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Guarantee
              -----------------------------------------------------

          The recitals contained in this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be
taken as the statements of the Guarantor, and the Preferred Guarantee Trustee
does not assume any responsi  bility for their correctness.  The Preferred
Guarantee Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of
this Preferred Securities Guarantee.


                                  ARTICLE IV
                          PREFERRED GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

SECTION 4.1   Preferred Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility
              ----------------------------------------

          (a)  There shall at all times be a Preferred Guarantee Trustee which
shall:

          (i)  not be an Affiliate of the Guarantor; and

          (ii) be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of
     the United States of America or any State or Territory thereof or of the
     District of Columbia, or a corporation or Person permitted by the
     Securities and Exchange Commission to act as an institutional trustee under
     the Trust Indenture Act, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate
     trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least 50 million
     U.S. dollars ($50,000,000), and subject to supervision or examination by
     Federal, State, Territorial or District of Columbia authority. If such
     corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to
     law or to the requirements of the supervising or examining authority
     referred to above, then, for the purposes of this Section 4.1(a)(ii), the
     combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its
     combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of
     condition so published.

          (b)  If at any time the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall cease to be
eligible to so act under Section 4.1(a), the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall
immediately resign in the manner and with the effect set out in Section 4.2(c).

          (c)  If the Preferred Guarantee Trustee has or shall acquire  any
"conflicting interest" within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust
Indenture Act, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee and Guarantor shall in all
respects comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture
Act.

SECTION 4.2   Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Preferred Guarantee
              -----------------------------------------------------------
Trustees
- --------

          (a)  Subject to Section 4.2(b), the Preferred Guarantee Trustee may be
appointed or removed without cause at any time by the Guarantor.

                                      11
<PAGE>
 
          (b)  The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be removed in
accordance with Section 4.2(a) until a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee has
been appointed and has accepted such appointment by written instrument executed
by such Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor.

          (c)  The Preferred Guarantee Trustee appointed to office shall hold
office until a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed
or until its removal or resig  nation.  The Preferred Guarantee Trustee may
resign from office (without need for prior or subse  quent accounting) by an
instrument in writing executed by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee and delivered
to the Guarantor, which resignation shall not take effect until a Successor
Preferred Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment
by instrument in writing executed by such Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee
and delivered to the Guarantor and the resigning Preferred Guarantee Trustee.

          (d)  If no Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall have been
appointed and accepted appointment as provided in this Section 4.2 within 60
days after delivery to the Guaran  tor of an instrument of resignation, the
resigning Preferred Guarantee Trustee may petition any court of competent
jurisdiction for appointment of a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee. Such
court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem
proper, appoint a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee.


                                   ARTICLE V
                                   GUARANTEE

SECTION 5.1   Guarantee
              ---------

          The Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to pay in full to
the Holders the Guarantee Payments (without duplication of amounts theretofore
paid by the Issuer), as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of set-
off or counterclaim that the Issuer may have or assert.  The Guarantor's
obligation to make a Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct payment of the
required amounts by the Guarantor to the Holders or by causing the Issuer to pay
such amounts to the Holders.

 SECTION 5.2   Waiver of Notice and Demand
               ---------------------------

          The Guarantor hereby waives notice of acceptance of this Preferred
Securities Guarantee and of any liability to which it applies or may apply,
presentment, demand for payment, any right to require a proceeding first against
the Issuer or any other Person before proceeding against the Guarantor, protest,
notice of nonpayment, notice of dishonor, notice of redemption and all other
notices and demands.

                                      12
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 5.3   Obligations Not Affected
              ------------------------

          The obligations, covenants, agreements and duties of the Guarantor
under this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall in no way be affected or
impaired by reason of the happening from time to time of any of the following:

          (a)  the release or waiver, by operation of law or otherwise, of the
performance or observance by the Issuer of any express or implied agreement,
covenant, term or condition relating to the Preferred Securities to be performed
or observed by the Issuer;

          (b)  the extension of time for the payment by the Issuer of all or any
portion of the Distributions, Redemption Price, Liquidation Distribution or any
other sums payable under the terms of the Preferred Securities or the extension
of time for the performance of any other obligation under, arising out of, or in
connection with, the Preferred Securities (other than an extension of time for
payment of Distributions or other sum payable that results from the extension of
any interest payment period on the Subordinated Notes permitted by the
Indenture);

          (c)  any failure, omission, delay or lack of diligence on  the part of
the Holders to enforce, assert or exercise any right, privilege, power or remedy
conferred on the Holders pursuant to the terms of the Preferred Securities, or
any action on the part of the Issuer granting indulgence or extension of any
kind;

          (d)  the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale of
any collateral, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit
of creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or readjustment of debt
of, or other similar proceedings affecting, the Issuer or any of the assets of
the Issuer;

          (e)  any invalidity of, or defect or deficiency in, the Preferred
Securities;

          (f)  the settlement or compromise of any obligation guaranteed hereby
or hereby incurred; or

          (g)  any other circumstance whatsoever that might otherwise constitute
a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor, it being the intent of
this Section 5.3 that the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder shall be
absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances.

          There shall be no obligation of the Holders to give notice to, or
obtain consent of, the Guarantor with respect to the happening of any of the
foregoing.

                                      13
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 5.4   Rights of Holders
              -----------------

          (a)  The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Preferred
Securities have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting of
any proceeding for any remedy available to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee in
respect of this Preferred Securities Guarantee or exercising any trust or power
conferred upon the Preferred Guarantee Trustee under this Preferred Securities
Guarantee.

          (b)  If the Preferred Guarantee Trustee fails to enforce this
Preferred Securities Guarantee, any Holder of Preferred Securities may institute
a legal proceeding directly against the Guarantor to enforce its rights under
this Preferred Securities Guarantee, without first insti tuting a legal
proceeding against the Issuer, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee or any other
Person.

          (c)  Notwithstanding subsection 5.4(b), any Holder of Preferred
Securities may directly institute proceedings against the Guarantor to obtain
Guarantee Payments in respect of the Preferred Securities owned by such Holder,
without first waiting to determine if the Preferred Guarantee Trustee has
enforced this Preferred Securities Guarantee or first instituting a legal
proceeding against the Issuer, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee or any other
Person.

SECTION 5.5   Guarantee of Payment
              --------------------

          This Preferred Securities Guarantee creates a guarantee of payment and
not of collection.

SECTION 5.6   Subrogation
              -----------

          The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all (if any) rights of the
Holders of Preferred Securities against the Issuer in respect of any amounts
paid to such Holders by the Guarantor under this Preferred Securities Guarantee;
                                                                                
provided, however, that the Guarantor shall not (except to the extent required
- --------  -------                                                             
by mandatory provisions of law) be entitled to enforce or exercise any right
that it may acquire by way of subrogation or any indemnity, reimbursement or
other agreement, in all cases as a result of payment under this Preferred
Securities Guarantee, if, at the time of any such payment, any amounts are due
and unpaid under this Preferred Securities Guarantee.  If any amount shall be
paid to the Guarantor in violation of the preceding sentence, the Guarantor
agrees to hold such amount in trust for the Holders and to pay over such amount
to the Holders.

SECTION 5.7   Independent Obligations
              -----------------------

          The Guarantor acknowledges that its obligations hereunder are
independent of the obligations of the Issuer with respect to the Preferred
Securities, and that the Guarantor shall be liable as principal and as debtor
hereunder to make Guarantee Payments pursuant to the terms of

                                      14
<PAGE>
 
this Preferred Securities Guarantee notwithstanding the occurrence of any event
referred to in subsections (a) through (g), inclusive, of Section 5.3 hereof.


                                  ARTICLE VI
                   LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION

SECTION 6.1   Limitation of Transactions
              --------------------------

          (a)  So long as any Preferred Securities remain outstanding, if there
shall have occurred an Event of Default or Indenture Event of Default, then (a)
the Guarantor shall not de  clare or pay any dividend on, or make any
distribution with respect to, or redeem, purchase, ac  quire or make a
liquidation payment with respect to, any of its capital stock, (b) the Guarantor
shall not make any payment of interest, principal or premium, if any, on or
repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities issued by the Guarantor which
rank pari passu with or junior to the Subordinated Notes and (c) the Guarantor
shall not make any guarantee payments with respect to any of the foregoing.

          (b)  Notwithstanding subsection 6.1(a) or any other language to the
contrary contained in this Preferred Securities Guarantee, nothing shall prevent
the Guarantor from: (i) de  claring or paying any dividend on, or making any
distribution with respect to, or redeeming or making a liquidation or guarantee
payment with respect to, any of its capital stock in or with (x) securities of
the Guarantor (including capital stock) that rank junior to such capital stock
or (y) securities (including capital stock) of TCI or (ii) paying any interest,
principal or premium on, repaying or redeeming, or making any guarantee payment
with respect to any debt securities issued by the Guarantor which rank pari
passu with or junior to the Subordinated Notes, with (x) securities of the
Guarantor (including capital stock) that rank junior to such debt securities or
(y) securities (including capital stock) of TCI.

SECTION 6.2   Ranking
              -------

          This Preferred Securities Guarantee constitutes an unsecured
obligation of the Guarantor and will rank (i) subordinate and junior in right of
payment to all other liabilities of the Guarantor, (ii) pari passu with the most
senior preferred or preference stock issued by the Guarantor from time to time
and with any guarantee now or hereafter entered into by the Guarantor in respect
of any preferred or preference stock of any subsidiary or Affiliate of the
Guarantor, and (iii) senior to the Guarantor's common stock.

                                      15
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE VII
                                  TERMINATION

SECTION 7.1   Termination
              -----------

          This Preferred Securities Guarantee shall terminate upon the earliest
to occur of (i) the full payment of the Redemption Price of all Preferred
Securities, (ii) the distribution of Subordinated Notes to the Holder's of all
of the Preferred Securities or (iii) full payment of the amounts payable in
accordance with the Declaration upon liquidation of the Issuer.  Notwith
standing the foregoing, this Preferred Securities Guarantee will continue to be
effective or will be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any Holder
of Preferred Securities must restore payment of any sums paid under the
Preferred Securities or under this Preferred Securities Guarantee.


                                 ARTICLE VIII
                                INDEMNIFICATION

SECTION 8.1   Exculpation
              -----------

          (a)  No Indemnified Person shall be liable, responsible or accountable
in damages or otherwise to the Guarantor or any Covered Person for any loss,
damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted
by such Indemnified Person in good faith in accordance with this Preferred
Securities Guarantee and in a manner that such Indemnified Person reasonably
believed to be within the scope of the authority conferred on such Indemnified
Person by this Preferred Securities Guarantee or by law, except that an
Indemnified Person shall be liable for any such loss, damage or claim incurred
by reason of such Indemnified Person's negligence or willful misconduct with
respect to such acts or omission.

          (b)  An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in relying in good
faith upon the records of the Guarantor and upon such information, opinions,
reports or statements presented to the Guarantor by any Person as to matters the
Indemnified Person reasonably believes are within such other Person's
professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care
by or on behalf of the Guarantor, including information, opinions, reports or
statements as to the value and amount of the assets, liabilities, profits,
losses, or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from
which Distributions, the Redemption Price or the Liquidation Distribution to
Holders of Preferred Securities might properly be paid.

          (c)  The provisions of this Section 8.1 shall survive the termination
of this Preferred Securities Guarantee.

                                      16
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 8.2   Indemnification
              ---------------

          (a)  To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Guarantor
shall indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnified Person from and against any
loss, damage or claim incurred by such Indemnified Person by reason of any act
or omission performed or omitted by such Indemnified Person in good faith in
accordance with this Preferred Securities Guarantee and in a manner such
Indemnified Person reasonably believed to be within the scope of authority
conferred on such Indemnified Person in accordance with this Preferred
Securities Guarantee, except that no Indemnified Person shall be entitled to be
indemnified in respect of any loss, damage or claim incurred by such Indemnified
Person by reason of negligence or willful misconduct with respect to such acts
or omissions.

          (b)  To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, expenses
(including legal fees and expenses) incurred by an Indemnified Person in
defending any claim, demand, ac  tion, suit or proceeding (whether such claim,
demand, action, suit or proceeding arises between the parties hereto or results
from suits involving third parties) shall, from time to time, be ad  vanced by
the Guarantor prior to the final disposition of such claim, demand, action, suit
or proceeding upon receipt by the Guarantor of an undertaking by or on behalf of
the Indemnified Person to repay such amount if it shall be determined that the
Indemnified Person is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized in Section
8.2(a).

          (c)  The provisions of this Section 8.2 shall survive the termination
of this Preferred Securities Guarantee.


                                  ARTICLE IX
                                 MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 9.1   Successors and Assigns
              ----------------------

          All guarantees and agreements contained in this Preferred Securities
Guarantee shall bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and
representatives of the Guarantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Holders
of the Preferred Securities then outstanding.

SECTION 9.2   Amendments
              ----------

          Except with respect to any changes that do not adversely affect the
rights of Holders (in which case no consent of Holders will be required), this
Preferred Securities Guarantee may only be amended with the prior approval of
the Holders of at least a Majority in liquidation amount of the Preferred
Securities.  The provisions of Section 12.2 of the Declaration with respect to
meetings of Holders of the Securities apply to the giving of such approval.

                                      17
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 9.3   Notices
              -------

          All notices provided for in this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall
be in writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be
delivered, telecopied or mailed by first class mail, as follows:

          (a)  If given to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, at the Preferred
Guarantee Trustee's mailing address set forth below (or such other address as
the Preferred Guarantee Trustee may give notice of to the Holders of the
Preferred Securities):

                         The Bank of New York                             
                         101 Barclay Street, Floor 21 West                
                         New York, New York 10256                         
                         Attention:  Corporate Trust Trustee Administration

          (b)  If given to the Guarantor, at the Guarantor's mailing address set
forth below (or such other address as the Guarantor may give notice of to the
Holders of the Preferred Securities):

                         TCI Communications, Inc.          
                         5619 DTC Parkway                  
                         Englewood, Colorado  80111-3000   
                         Attention:  Chief Financial Officer

          (c)  If given to any Holder of Preferred Securities, at the address
set forth on the books and records of the Issuer.

          All such notices shall be deemed to have been given when received in
person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class mail,
postage prepaid, except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery
or cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was
given, such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on
the date of such refusal or inability to deliver.

SECTION 9.4    Benefit
               -------

          This Preferred Securities Guarantee is solely for the benefit of the
Holders of the Preferred Securities and, subject to Section 3.1(a), is not
separately transferable from the Preferred Securities.

                                      18
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 9.5   Governing Law
              -------------

          THIS PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND
CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK,
WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES.

 SECTION 9.6   No Recourse Against Certain Persons.
               ----------------------------------- 

          No past, present or future director, officer, employee or stockholder,
as such, of the Guarantor or any successor thereof shall have any liability for
any obligations of the Guarantor under this Preferred Securities Guarantee or
for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or
their creation and all such liability is hereby waived and released.  Such
waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of this Preferred
Securities Guarantee and the Preferred Securities.

          THIS PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE is executed as of the day and year
first above written.

                                   TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC., as   
                                       Guarantor                  
                                                                  
                                                                  
                                                                  
                                   By:_________________________
                                   Name:                          
                                   Title:                         
                                                                  
                                                                  
                                   THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as       
                                      Preferred Guarantee Trustee 
                                                                  
                                                                  
                                                                  
                                   By:_________________________ 
                                   Name:                          
                                   Title:                          


                                      19

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.18

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


                   PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT


                           TCI Communications, Inc.


                         Dated as of _________, 199_


                     ====================================
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
                               -----------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      Page
                                                                                      ----
<S>                                                                                   <C>
ARTICLE I      
     DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

     SECTION 1.1  Definitions and Interpretation.........................................2
                  ------------------------------

ARTICLE II
     TRUST INDENTURE ACT

     SECTION 2.1  Trust Indenture Act; Application.......................................5
                  --------------------------------
     SECTION 2.2  Lists of Holders of Securities.........................................5
                  ------------------------------
     SECTION 2.3  Reports by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee.............................5
                  ------------------------------------------
     SECTION 2.4  Periodic Reports to Preferred Guarantee Trustee........................6
                  -----------------------------------------------
     SECTION 2.5  Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent.......................6
                  ------------------------------------------------
     SECTION 2.6  Events of Default; Waiver..............................................6
                  -------------------------
     SECTION 2.7  Events of Default; Notice..............................................6
                  -------------------------
     SECTION 2.8  Conflicting Interests..................................................7
                  ---------------------
ARTICLE III
     POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF
     PREFERRED GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

     SECTION 3.1  Powers and Duties of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee...................7
                  ----------------------------------------------------
     SECTION 3.2  Certain Rights of Preferred Guarantee Trustee..........................9
                  ---------------------------------------------
     SECTION 3.3. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Guarantee.................11
                  -----------------------------------------------------

ARTICLE IV
     PREFERRED GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

     SECTION 4.1  Preferred Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility..............................11
                  ----------------------------------------
     SECTION 4.2  Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Preferred Guarantee Trustees..11
                  --------------------------------------------------------------------

ARTICLE V
     GUARANTEE

     SECTION 5.1  Guarantee.............................................................12
                  ---------
     SECTION 5.2  Waiver of Notice and Demand...........................................12
                  ---------------------------
     SECTION 5.3  Obligations Not Affected..............................................13
                  ------------------------
     SECTION 5.4  Rights of Holders.....................................................14
                  -----------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      Page
                                                                                      ----
<S>                                                                                   <C>
     SECTION 5.5  Guarantee of Payment..................................................14
                  --------------------
     SECTION 5.6  Subrogation...........................................................14
                  -----------
     SECTION 5.7  Independent Obligations...............................................14
                  -----------------------

ARTICLE VI
     LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION

     SECTION 6.1  Limitation of Transactions............................................15
                  --------------------------
     SECTION 6.2  Ranking...............................................................15
                  -------

ARTICLE VII
     TERMINATION

     SECTION 7.1  Termination...........................................................16
                  -----------

ARTICLE VIII
     INDEMNIFICATION


     SECTION 8.1  Exculpation...........................................................16
                  -----------
     SECTION 8.2  Indemnification.......................................................17
                  ---------------

ARTICLE IX
     MISCELLANEOUS

     SECTION 9.1  Successors and Assigns................................................17
                  ----------------------
     SECTION 9.2  Amendments............................................................17
                  ----------
     SECTION 9.3  Notices...............................................................18
                  -------
     SECTION 9.4  Benefit...............................................................18
                  -------
     SECTION 9.5  Governing Law.........................................................19
                  -------------
     SECTION 9.6  No Recourse Against Certain Persons...................................19
                  -----------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                      ii
<PAGE>
 
                    PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT


          This GUARANTEE AGREEMENT (the "Preferred Securities Guarantee"), dated
as of _________, 199_, is executed and delivered by TCI Communications, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Guarantor"), and The Bank of New York, a New York
banking corporation, as trustee (the "Preferred Guarantee Trustee"), for the
benefit of the Holders (as defined herein) from time to time of the Preferred
Securities (as defined herein) of TCI Communications Financing VI, a Delaware
statutory business trust (the "Issuer").

                                  WITNESSETH:
                                  -----------

          WHEREAS, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (the
"Declaration"), dated as of _________, 199_, among the trustees of the Issuer
named therein, the Guarantor, as sponsor, and the holders from time to time of
undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer, the Issuer is
issuing on the date hereof ___________ preferred securities, having an aggregate
liquidation amount of $_________, designated the ___% Trust Originated Preferred
Securities (the "Preferred Securities");

          WHEREAS, as incentive for the Holders to purchase the Preferred
Securities, the Guarantor desires irrevocably and unconditionally to agree, to
the extent set forth in this Preferred Securities Guarantee, to pay to the
Holders of the Preferred Securities the Guarantee Payments (as defined herein)
and to make certain other payments on the terms and conditions set forth herein;

          WHEREAS, the Guarantor is also executing and delivering a guarantee
agreement (the "Common Securities Guarantee") with substantially identical terms
as this Preferred Secur  ities Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of the
Common Securities (as defined herein), except that if an Indenture Event of
Default (as defined herein), has occurred and is continuing, the rights of
holders of the Common Securities to receive Guarantee Payments under the Common
Securities Guarantee are subordinated to the rights of Holders of Preferred
Securities to receive Guarantee Payments under this Preferred Securities
Guarantee.

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase by each Holder of
Preferred Securities, which purchase the Guarantor hereby agrees shall benefit
the Guarantor, the Guarantor executes and delivers this Preferred Securities
Guarantee for the benefit of the Holders.
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE I
                        DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

SECTION 1.1  Definitions and Interpretation
             ------------------------------

          In this Preferred Securities Guarantee, unless the context otherwise
requires:

          (a)    Capitalized terms used in this Preferred Securities Guarantee
                 but not defined in the preamble above have the respective
                 meanings assigned to them in this Section 1.1;

          (b)    a term defined anywhere in this Preferred Securities Guarantee
                 has the same meaning throughout;

          (c)    all references to "the Preferred Securities Guarantee" or "this
                 Preferred Securities Guarantee" are to this Preferred
                 Securities Guarantee as modified, supplemented or amended from
                 time to time;

          (d)    all references in this Preferred Securities Guarantee to
                 Articles and Sections are to Articles and Sections of this
                 Preferred Securities Guarantee, unless otherwise specified;

          (e)    a term defined in the Trust Indenture Act has the same meaning
                 when used in this Preferred Securities Guarantee, unless
                 otherwise defined in this Preferred Securities Guarantee or
                 unless the context otherwise requires; and

          (f)    a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice versa.

          "Affiliate" has the same meaning as given to that term in Rule 405 of
           ---------                                                           
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor rule thereunder.

          "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other
           ------------                                                      
day on which banking institutions in The City of New York, New York are
authorized or required by any applicable law to close.

          "Common Securities" means the securities representing common undivided
           -----------------                                                    
beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer.

          "Covered Person" means any Holder or beneficial owner of Preferred
           --------------                                                   
Securities.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
          "Event of Default" means a default by the Guarantor on any of its
           ----------------                                                
payment or other obligations under this Preferred Securities Guarantee.

          "Guarantee Payments" means the following payments or distributions,
           ------------------                                                
without duplication, with respect to the Preferred Securities, to the extent not
paid or made by the Issuer: (i) any accrued and unpaid Distributions (as defined
in the Declaration) that are required to be paid on such Preferred Securities to
the extent the Issuer has funds available therefore, (ii) the redemption price,
including all accrued and unpaid Distributions to the date of redemption (the
"Redemption Price"), to the extent the Issuer has funds available therefor, with
respect to any Preferred Securities called for redemption by the Issuer, and
(iii) upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or termination of
the Issuer (other than in connection with the distribu  tion of Subordinated
Notes to the Holders in exchange for Preferred Securities as provided in the
Declaration), the lesser of (a) the aggregate of the liquidation amount and all
accrued and unpaid Distributions on the Preferred Securities to the date of
payment, to the extent the Issuer shall have funds available therefor, and (b)
the amount of assets of the Issuer remaining available for distribution to
Holders in liquidation of the Issuer (in either case, the "Liquidation
Distribution"). If an Indenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing,
the rights of holders of the Common Securities to receive payments under the
Common Securities Guarantee Agreement are subordinated to the rights of Holders
of Preferred Securities to receive Guarantee Payments.

          "Holder" shall mean any holder, as registered on the books and records
           ------                                                               
of the Issuer, of any Preferred Securities; provided, however, that, in
                                            --------  -------          
determining whether the holders of the requisite percentage of Preferred
Securities have given any request, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, "Holder"
shall not include the Guarantor or any Affiliate of the Guarantor.

          "Indemnified Person" means the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, any
           ------------------                                            
Affiliate of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, or any officers, directors,
shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives or agents of the
Preferred Guarantee Trustee.

          "Indenture" means the Indenture dated as of January 29, 1996, among
           ---------                                                         
the Guarantor and The Bank of New York, as trustee, and the _______ Supplemental
Indenture thereto pursuant to which certain subordinated debt securities of the
Guarantor are to be issued to the Property Trustee (as defined in the
Declaration).

          "Indenture Event of Default" has the same meaning as that given to the
           --------------------------                                           
term "Event of Default" in the Indenture.

          "Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities" means, except as
           ------------------------------------------------                  
provided by the Trust Indenture Act, a vote by Holder(s) of Preferred
Securities, voting separately as a class, of more than 50% of the liquidation
amount (including the stated amount that would be paid on redemption,
liquidation or otherwise, plus accrued and unpaid Distributions to the date upon
which the voting percentages are determined) of all Preferred Securities
outstanding as of the date of determination.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
          "Officers' Certificate" means, with respect to any Person, a
           ---------------------                                      
certificate signed by two Authorized Officers (as defined in the Declaration) of
such Person.  Any Officers' Certificate delivered with respect to compliance
with a condition or covenant provided for in this Preferred Securities Guarantee
shall include:

          (a)    a statement that each officer signing the Officers' Certificate
     has read the covenant or condition and the definition relating thereto;

          (b)    a brief statement of the nature and scope of the examination or
     investigation undertaken by each officer in rendering the Officers'
     Certificate;

          (c)    a statement that each such officer has made such examination or
     investigation as, in such officer's opinion, is necessary to enable such
     officer to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant
     or condition has been complied with; and

          (d)    a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such officer,
     such condition or covenant has been complied with.

          "Person" means a legal person, including any individual, corporation,
           ------                                                              
estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, limited
liability company, trust, unincorporated association, or government or any
agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity of whatever nature.

          "Preferred Guarantee Trustee" means The Bank of New York, until a
           ---------------------------                                     
Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such
appointment pursuant to the terms of this Preferred Securities Guarantee and
thereafter means each such Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee.

          "Responsible Officer" means, with respect to the Preferred Guarantee
           -------------------                                                
Trustee, any vice president, any assistant vice president, the secretary, any
assistant secretary, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer, any trust officer
or assistant trust officer or any other officer of the corporate trust
department of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee customarily performing functions
similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also
means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to
whom such matter is referred because of that officer's knowledge of and
familiarity with the particular subject.

          "Subordinated Notes" means the series of subordinated debt securities
           ------------------                                                  
of the Guarantor, designated the ____% Subordinated Deferrable Interest Notes
due ________, 20__, held by the Property Trustee.

          "Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee" means a successor Preferred
           -------------------------------------                             
Guarantee Trustee possessing the qualifications to act as Preferred Guarantee
Trustee under Section 4.1.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
             "TCI" means Tele-Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
              ---                                                          
 
             "Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
             -------------------                                           
amended.


                                  ARTICLE II
                              TRUST INDENTURE ACT

SECTION 2.1  Trust Indenture Act; Application
             --------------------------------

             (a)    This Preferred Securities Guarantee is subject to the
provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of this
Preferred Securities Guarantee and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed
by such provisions; and

             (b)    if and to the extent that any provision of this Preferred
Securities Guarantee limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by
Sections 310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties
shall control.

SECTION 2.2  Lists of Holders of Securities
             ------------------------------

         (a) The Guarantor shall provide the Preferred Guarantee Trustee
with a list, in such form as the Preferred Guarantee Trustee may reasonably
require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of the Preferred Securities
("List of Holders") (i) as of January 1 and June 30 of each year, within one
Business Day thereafter, and (ii) at any other time within 30 days of receipt by
the Guarantor of a written request from the Preferred Guarantee Trustee for a
List of Holders, which shall be as of a date no more than 14 days before such
List of Holders is given to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee; provided, that the
                                                             --------          
Guarantor shall not be obligated to provide such List of Holders at any time the
List of Holders does not differ from the most recent List of Holders given to
the Preferred Guarantee Trustee by the Guarantor. The Preferred Guarantee
Trustee may destroy any List of Holders previously given to it on receipt of a
new List of Holders.

             (b)    The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall comply with its
obligations under Section 311(a), 311(b) and Section 312(b) of the Trust
Indenture Act.

SECTION 2.3  Reports by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee
             ------------------------------------------

             Within 60 days after May 15 of each year, the Preferred Guarantee
Trustee shall provide to the Holders of the Preferred Securities such reports as
are required by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act, if any, in the form and
in the manner provided by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act.  The Preferred
Guarantee Trustee shall also comply with the requirements of Section 313(d) of
the Trust Indenture Act.

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 2.4  Periodic Reports to Preferred Guarantee Trustee
             -----------------------------------------------

             The Guarantor shall provide to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee such
documents, reports and information as required by Section 314 (if any) and the
compliance certificate required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act in the
form, in the manner and at the times required by Section 314 of the Trust
Indenture Act.

SECTION 2.5  Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent
             ------------------------------------------------

             The Guarantor shall provide to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee such
evidence of compliance with any conditions precedent, if any, provided for in
this Preferred Securities Guarantee that relate to any of the matters set forth
in Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any certificate or opinion
required to be given by an officer pursuant to Section 314(c)(1) may be given in
the form of an Officers' Certificate.

SECTION 2.6  Events of Default; Waiver
             -------------------------

             The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of Preferred
Securities may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Preferred
Securities, waive any past Event of Default and its consequences.  Upon such
waiver, any such Event of Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default
arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this
Preferred Securities Guarantee, but no such waiver shall extend to any
subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent
thereon.

SECTION 2.7  Events of Default; Notice
             -------------------------

             (a)    The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall, within 90 days after
the occurrence of an Event of Default, transmit by mail, first class postage
prepaid, to the Holders of the Preferred Securities, notices of all Events of
Default known to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, unless such defaults have been
cured before the giving of such notice; provided, that the Preferred Guarantee
                                        --------
Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the
board of directors, the executive committee, or a trust committee of directors
and/or Responsible Officers of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee in good faith
determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the
Holders of the Preferred Securities.

             (b)    The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be deemed to have
knowledge of any Event of Default unless the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall
have received written notice, or a Responsible Officer charged with the
administration of the Declaration shall have obtained written notice, of such
Event of Default.

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 2.8  Conflicting Interests
             ---------------------

             The Declaration shall be deemed to be specifically described in
this Preferred Securities Guarantee for the purposes of clause (i) of the first
proviso contained in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.


                                  ARTICLE III
                         POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF
                          PREFERRED GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

SECTION 3.1  Powers and Duties of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee
             ----------------------------------------------------

             (a)  This Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be held by the
Preferred Guarantee Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Preferred
Securities, and the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not transfer this
Preferred Securities Guarantee to any Person except a Holder of Preferred
Securities exercising his or her rights pursuant to Section 5.4(b) or to a
Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee on acceptance by such Successor Preferred
Guarantee Trustee of its appointment to act as Successor Preferred Guarantee
Trustee.  The right, title and interest of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall
automatically vest in any Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee, and such
vesting (and cessation as to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee) of title shall be
effective whether or not conveyancing documents have been executed and delivered
pursuant to the appointment of such Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee.

             (b)  If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the
Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall enforce this Preferred Securities Guarantee
for the benefit of the Holders of the Preferred Securities.

             (c)  The Preferred Guarantee Trustee, before the occurrence of any
Event of Default and after the curing of all Events of Default that may have
occurred, shall undertake to perform only such duties as are specifically set
forth in this Preferred Securities Guarantee, and no implied covenants shall be
read into this Preferred Securities Guarantee against the Preferred Guarantee
Trustee.  In case an Event of Default has occurred (that has not been cured or
waived pursuant to Section 2.6), the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall exercise
such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Preferred Securities
Guarantee, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise thereof, as
a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of
his or her own affairs.

             (d)  No provision of this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be
construed to relieve the Preferred Guarantee Trustee from liability for its own
negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful
misconduct, except that:

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
          (i)    prior to the occurrence of any Event of Default and after the
     curing or waiving of all such Events of Default that may have occurred:

                 (A)  the duties and obligations of the Preferred Guarantee
          Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this
          Preferred Securities Guarantee, and the Preferred Guarantee Trustee
          shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and
          obligations as are specifically set forth in this Preferred Securities
          Guarantee, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into
          this Preferred Securities Guarantee against the Preferred Guarantee
          Trustee; and

                 (B)  in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Preferred
          Guarantee Trustee, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee may conclusively
          rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the
          opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions
          furnished to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee and conform ing to the
          requirements of this Preferred Securities Guarantee; but in the case
          of any such certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof are
          specifically required to be furnished to the Preferred Guarantee
          Trustee, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be under a duty to
          examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the
          requirements of this Preferred Securities Guarantee;

          (ii)   the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for any
     error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the
     Preferred Guarantee Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Preferred
     Guarantee Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts upon
     which such judgment was made;

          (iii)  the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable with
     respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in
     accordance with the direction of the Holders of not less than a Majority in
     liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities relating to the time, method
     and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the
     Preferred Guarantee Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred
     upon the Preferred Guarantee Trustee under this Preferred Securities
     Guarantee; and

          (iv)   no provision of this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall
     require the Preferred Guarantee Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or
     otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of
     its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if the
     Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall have reasonable grounds for believing
     that the repayment of such funds or liability is not reasonably assured to
     it under the terms of this Preferred Securities Guarantee or adequate
     indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 3.2  Certain Rights of Preferred Guarantee Trustee
             ---------------------------------------------

             (a)    Subject to the provisions of Section 3.1:

             (i)    The Preferred Guarantee Trustee may rely, and shall be fully
protected in acting or refraining from acting upon, any resolution, certificate,
statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent,
order, bond, debenture, note, other evi dence of indebtedness or other paper or
document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or presented
by the proper party or parties.

             (ii)   Any direction or act of the Guarantor contemplated by this
Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Direction
(as defined in the Declaration) or an Officers' Certificate.

             (iii)  Whenever, in the administration of this Preferred Securities
Guarantee, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter
be proved or established before taking, suffering or omitting any action
hereunder, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee (unless other evidence is herein
specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, request
and rely upon an Officers' Certificate which, upon receipt of such request,
shall be promptly delivered by the Guarantor.

             (iv)   The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall have no duty to see to
any recording, filing or registration of any instrument (or any rerecording,
refiling or reregis tration thereof).

             (v)    The Preferred Guarantee Trustee may consult with counsel of
its selection, and the advice or opinion of such counsel with respect to legal
matters shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of
any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in
accordance with such advice or opinion. Such counsel may be counsel to the
Guarantor or any of its Affiliates and may include any of its employees. The
Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall have the right at any time to seek
instructions concerning the administration of this Preferred Securities
Guarantee from any court of competent jurisdiction.

             (vi)   The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be under no obligation
to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Preferred
Securities Guarantee at the request or direction of any Holder, unless such
Holder shall have provided to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee such adequate
security and indemnity as would satisfy a reasonable person in the position of
the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, against the costs, expenses (including
attorneys' fees and expenses) and liabilities that might be incurred by it in
complying with such request or direction, including such reasonable advances as
may be requested by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee; provided that, nothing
                                                     --------
contained in
                                                            

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
     this Section 3.2(a)(vi) shall be taken to relieve the Preferred Guarantee
     Trustee, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, of its obligation to
     exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Preferred Securities
     Guarantee.

          (vii)  The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be bound to make any
     investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution,
     certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request,
     direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of
     indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Preferred Guarantee
     Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation
     into such facts or matters as it may see fit.

          (viii) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee may execute any of the trusts
     or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by
     or through agents or attor neys, and the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall
     not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any
     agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder.

          (ix)   Any action taken by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee or its
     agents hereun der shall bind the Holders of the Preferred Securities, and
     the signature of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee or its agents alone shall
     be sufficient and effective to perform any such action. No third party
     shall be required to inquire as to the authority of the Preferred Guarantee
     Trustee to so act or as to its compliance with any of the terms and
     provisions of this Preferred Securities Guarantee, both of which shall be
     conclusively evidenced by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee's or its agent's
     taking such action.

          (x)    Whenever in the administration of this Preferred Securities
     Guarantee the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable to
     receive instructions with respect to enforcing any remedy or right or
     taking any other action hereunder, the Preferred Guaran tee Trustee (i) may
     request instructions from the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount
     of the Preferred Securities, (ii) may refrain from enforcing such remedy or
     right or taking such other action until such instructions are received, and
     (iii) shall be protected in acting in accordance with such instructions.

          (b) No provision of this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be
deemed to impose any duty or obligation on the Preferred Guarantee Trustee to
perform any act or acts or exercise any right, power, duty or obligation
conferred or imposed on it in any jurisdiction in which it shall be illegal, or
in which the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be unqualified or incompetent in
accordance with applicable law, to perform any such act or acts or to exercise
any such right, power, duty or obligation.  No permissive power or authority
available to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be construed to be a duty.

                                      10
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 3.3. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Guarantee
             -----------------------------------------------------

          The recitals contained in this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be
taken as the statements of the Guarantor, and the Preferred Guarantee Trustee
does not assume any responsibility for their correctness.  The Preferred
Guarantee Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of
this Preferred Securities Guarantee.


                                  ARTICLE IV
                          PREFERRED GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

SECTION 4.1  Preferred Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility
             ----------------------------------------

             (a)    There shall at all times be a Preferred Guarantee Trustee
which shall:

             (i)    not be an Affiliate of the Guarantor; and

             (ii)   be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws
     of the United States of America or any State or Territory thereof or of the
     District of Columbia, or a corporation or Person permitted by the
     Securities and Exchange Commission to act as an institutional trustee under
     the Trust Indenture Act, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate
     trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least 50 million
     U.S. dollars ($50,000,000), and subject to supervision or examination by
     Federal, State, Territorial or District of Columbia authority. If such
     corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to
     law or to the requirements of the supervising or examining authority
     referred to above, then, for the purposes of this Section 4.1(a)(ii), the
     combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its
     combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of
     condition so published.

          (b)    If at any time the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall cease to
be eligible to so act under Section 4.1(a), the Preferred Guarantee Trustee
shall immediately resign in the manner and with the effect set out in Section
4.2(c).

          (c)    If the Preferred Guarantee Trustee has or shall acquire any
"conflicting interest" within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust
Indenture Act, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee and Guarantor shall in all
respects comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture
Act.

SECTION 4.2  Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Preferred Guarantee       
             -----------------------------------------------------------
Trustees
- --------

          (a)    Subject to Section 4.2(b), the Preferred Guarantee Trustee may
be appointed or removed without cause at any time by the Guarantor.

                                      11
<PAGE>
 
          (b)    The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be removed in
accordance with Section 4.2(a) until a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee has
been appointed and has accepted such appointment by written instrument executed
by such Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor.

          (c)    The Preferred Guarantee Trustee appointed to office shall hold
office until a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed
or until its removal or resignation.  The Preferred Guarantee Trustee may
resign from office (without need for prior or subse  quent accounting) by an
instrument in writing executed by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee and delivered
to the Guarantor, which resignation shall not take effect until a Successor
Preferred Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment
by instrument in writing executed by such Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee
and delivered to the Guarantor and the resigning Preferred Guarantee Trustee.

          (d)    If no Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall have been
appointed and accepted appointment as provided in this Section 4.2 within 60
days after delivery to the Guarantor of an instrument of resignation, the
resigning Preferred Guarantee Trustee may petition any court of competent
jurisdiction for appointment of a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee. Such
court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem
proper, appoint a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee.


                                   ARTICLE V
                                   GUARANTEE

SECTION 5.1  Guarantee
             ---------

             The Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to pay in full
to the Holders the Guarantee Payments (without duplication of amounts
theretofore paid by the Issuer), as and when due, regardless of any defense,
right of set-off or counterclaim that the Issuer may have or assert. The
Guarantor's obligation to make a Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct
payment of the required amounts by the Guarantor to the Holders or by causing
the Issuer to pay such amounts to the Holders.

SECTION 5.2  Waiver of Notice and Demand
             ---------------------------

             The Guarantor hereby waives notice of acceptance of this Preferred
Securities Guarantee and of any liability to which it applies or may apply,
presentment, demand for payment, any right to require a proceeding first against
the Issuer or any other Person before proceeding against the Guarantor, protest,
notice of nonpayment, notice of dishonor, notice of redemption and all other
notices and demands.

                                      12
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 5.3  Obligations Not Affected
             ------------------------

             The obligations, covenants, agreements and duties of the Guarantor
under this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall in no way be affected or
impaired by reason of the happening from time to time of any of the following:

             (a)  the release or waiver, by operation of law or otherwise, of
the performance or observance by the Issuer of any express or implied agreement,
covenant, term or condition relating to the Preferred Securities to be performed
or observed by the Issuer;

             (b)  the extension of time for the payment by the Issuer of all or
any portion of the Distributions, Redemption Price, Liquidation Distribution or
any other sums payable under the terms of the Preferred Securities or the
extension of time for the performance of any other obligation under, arising out
of, or in connection with, the Preferred Securities (other than an extension of
time for payment of Distributions or other sum payable that results from the
extension of any interest payment period on the Subordinated Notes permitted by
the Indenture);

             (c)  any failure, omission, delay or lack of diligence on the part
of the Holders to enforce, assert or exercise any right, privilege, power or
remedy conferred on the Holders pursuant to the terms of the Preferred
Securities, or any action on the part of the Issuer granting indulgence or
extension of any kind;

             (d)  the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale of
any collateral, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit
of creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or readjustment of debt
of, or other similar proceedings affecting, the Issuer or any of the assets of
the Issuer;

             (e)  any invalidity of, or defect or deficiency in, the Preferred
Securities;

             (f)  the settlement or compromise of any obligation guaranteed
hereby or hereby incurred; or

             (g)  any other circumstance whatsoever that might otherwise
constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor, it being
the intent of this Section 5.3 that the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder
shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances.

             There shall be no obligation of the Holders to give notice to, or
obtain consent of, the Guarantor with respect to the happening of any of the
foregoing.

                                      13
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 5.4  Rights of Holders
             -----------------

             (a)  The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the
Preferred Securities have the right to direct the time, method and place of
conducting of any proceeding for any remedy available to the Preferred Guarantee
Trustee in respect of this Preferred Securities Guarantee or exercising any
trust or power conferred upon the Preferred Guarantee Trustee under this
Preferred Securities Guarantee.

             (b)  If the Preferred Guarantee Trustee fails to enforce this
Preferred Securities Guarantee, any Holder of Preferred Securities may institute
a legal proceeding directly against the Guarantor to enforce its rights under
this Preferred Securities Guarantee, without first insti tuting a legal
proceeding against the Issuer, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee or any other
Person.

             (c)  Notwithstanding subsection 5.4(b), any Holder of Preferred
Securities may directly institute proceedings against the Guarantor to obtain
Guarantee Payments in respect of the Preferred Securities owned by such Holder,
without first waiting to determine if the Preferred Guarantee Trustee has
enforced this Preferred Securities Guarantee or first instituting a legal
proceeding against the Issuer, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee or any other
Person.

SECTION 5.5  Guarantee of Payment
             --------------------

             This Preferred Securities Guarantee creates a guarantee of payment
and not of collection.

SECTION 5.6  Subrogation
             -----------

             The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all (if any) rights of the
Holders of Preferred Securities against the Issuer in respect of any amounts
paid to such Holders by the Guarantor under this Preferred Securities Guarantee;
provided, however, that the Guarantor shall not (except to the extent required
- --------  -------                                                             
by mandatory provisions of law) be entitled to enforce or exercise any right
that it may acquire by way of subrogation or any indemnity, reimbursement or
other agreement, in all cases as a result of payment under this Preferred
Securities Guarantee, if, at the time of any such payment, any amounts are due
and unpaid under this Preferred Securities Guarantee.  If any amount shall be
paid to the Guarantor in violation of the preceding sentence, the Guarantor
agrees to hold such amount in trust for the Holders and to pay over such amount
to the Holders.

SECTION 5.7  Independent Obligations
             -----------------------

             The Guarantor acknowledges that its obligations hereunder are
independent of the obligations of the Issuer with respect to the Preferred
Securities, and that the Guarantor shall be liable as principal and as debtor
hereunder to make Guarantee Payments pursuant to the terms of

                                      14
<PAGE>
 
this Preferred Securities Guarantee notwithstanding the occurrence of any event
referred to in subsections (a) through (g), inclusive, of Section 5.3 hereof.


                                  ARTICLE VI
                   LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION

 SECTION 6.1   Limitation of Transactions
               --------------------------

               (a)  So long as any Preferred Securities remain outstanding, if
there shall have occurred an Event of Default or Indenture Event of Default,
then (a) the Guarantor shall not de clare or pay any dividend on, or make any
distribution with respect to, or redeem, purchase, ac quire or make a
liquidation payment with respect to, any of its capital stock, (b) the Guarantor
shall not make any payment of interest, principal or premium, if any, on or
repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities issued by the Guarantor which
rank pari passu with or junior to the Subordinated Notes and (c) the Guarantor
shall not make any guarantee payments with respect to any of the foregoing. 

               (b)  Notwithstanding subsection 6.1(a) or any other language to
the contrary contained in this Preferred Securities Guarantee, nothing shall
prevent the Guarantor from: (i) de claring or paying any dividend on, or making
any distribution with respect to, or redeeming or making a liquidation or
guarantee payment with respect to, any of its capital stock in or with (x)
securities of the Guarantor (including capital stock) that rank junior to such
capital stock or (y) securities (including capital stock) of TCI or (ii) paying
any interest, principal or premium on, repaying or redeeming, or making any
guarantee payment with respect to any debt securities issued by the Guarantor
which rank pari passu with or junior to the Subordinated Notes, with (x)
securities of the Guarantor (including capital stock) that rank junior to such
debt securities or (y) securities (including capital stock) of TCI.

SECTION 6.2    Ranking
               -------

               This Preferred Securities Guarantee constitutes an unsecured
obligation of the Guarantor and will rank (i) subordinate and junior in right of
payment to all other liabilities of the Guarantor, (ii) pari passu with the most
senior preferred or preference stock issued by the Guarantor from time to time
and with any guarantee now or hereafter entered into by the Guarantor in respect
of any preferred or preference stock of any subsidiary or Affiliate of the
Guarantor, and (iii) senior to the Guarantor's common stock.

                                      15
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE VII
                                  TERMINATION

SECTION 7.1  Termination
             -----------

             This Preferred Securities Guarantee shall terminate upon the
earliest to occur of (i) the full payment of the Redemption Price of all
Preferred Securities, (ii) the distribution of Subordinated Notes to the
Holder's of all of the Preferred Securities or (iii) full payment of the amounts
payable in accordance with the Declaration upon liquidation of the Issuer.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Preferred Securities Guarantee will continue
to be effective or will be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any
Holder of Preferred Securities must restore payment of any sums paid under the
Preferred Securities or under this Preferred Securities Guarantee.


                                 ARTICLE VIII
                                INDEMNIFICATION

SECTION 8.1  Exculpation
             -----------

          (a)    No Indemnified Person shall be liable, responsible or
accountable in damages or otherwise to the Guarantor or any Covered Person for
any loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or
omitted by such Indemnified Person in good faith in accordance with this
Preferred Securities Guarantee and in a manner that such Indemnified Person
reasonably believed to be within the scope of the authority conferred on such
Indemnified Person by this Preferred Securities Guarantee or by law, except that
an Indemnified Person shall be liable for any such loss, damage or claim
incurred by reason of such Indemnified Person's negligence or willful misconduct
with respect to such acts or omission.

          (b)    An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in relying in
good faith upon the records of the Guarantor and upon such information,
opinions, reports or statements presented to the Guarantor by any Person as to
matters the Indemnified Person reasonably believes are within such other
Person's professional or expert competence and who has been selected with
reasonable care by or on behalf of the Guarantor, including information,
opinions, reports or statements as to the value and amount of the assets,
liabilities, profits, losses, or any other facts pertinent to the existence and
amount of assets from which Distributions, the Redemption Price or the
Liquidation Distribution to Holders of Preferred Securities might properly be
paid.

          (c)    The provisions of this Section 8.1 shall survive the
termination of this Preferred Securities Guarantee.

                                      16
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 8.2  Indemnification
             ---------------

             (a)    To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the
Guarantor shall indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnified Person from and
against any loss, damage or claim incurred by such Indemnified Person by reason
of any act or omission performed or omitted by such Indemnified Person in good
faith in accordance with this Preferred Securities Guarantee and in a manner
such Indemnified Person reasonably believed to be within the scope of authority
conferred on such Indemnified Person in accordance with this Preferred
Securities Guarantee, except that no Indemnified Person shall be entitled to be
indemnified in respect of any loss, damage or claim incurred by such Indemnified
Person by reason of negligence or willful misconduct with respect to such acts
or omissions.

             (b)    To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, expenses
(including legal fees and expenses) incurred by an Indemnified Person in
defending any claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding (whether such claim,
demand, action, suit or proceeding arises between the parties hereto or results
from suits involving third parties) shall, from time to time, be advanced by the
Guarantor prior to the final disposition of such claim, demand, action, suit or
proceeding upon receipt by the Guarantor of an undertaking by or on behalf of
the Indemnified Person to repay such amount if it shall be determined that the
Indemnified Person is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized in Section
8.2(a).

             (c)    The provisions of this Section 8.2 shall survive the
termination of this Preferred Securities Guarantee.


                                  ARTICLE IX
                                 MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 9.1  Successors and Assigns
             ----------------------

             All guarantees and agreements contained in this Preferred
Securities Guarantee shall bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and
representatives of the Guarantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Holders
of the Preferred Securities then outstanding.

SECTION 9.2  Amendments
             ----------

             Except with respect to any changes that do not adversely affect the
rights of Holders (in which case no consent of Holders will be required), this
Preferred Securities Guarantee may only be amended with the prior approval of
the Holders of at least a Majority in liquidation amount of the Preferred
Securities.  The provisions of Section 12.2 of the Declaration with respect to
meetings of Holders of the Securities apply to the giving of such approval.

                                      17
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 9.3  Notices
             -------

          All notices provided for in this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall
be in writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be
delivered, telecopied or mailed by first class mail, as follows:

     (a)  If given to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, at the Preferred
Guarantee Trustee's mailing address set forth below (or such other address as
the Preferred Guarantee Trustee may give notice of to the Holders of the
Preferred Securities):

               The Bank of New York
               101 Barclay Street, Floor 21 West
               New York, New York 10256
               Attention:  Corporate Trust Trustee Administration

          (b)  If given to the Guarantor, at the Guarantor's mailing address
set forth below (or such other address as the Guarantor may give notice of to
the Holders of the Preferred Securities):

               TCI Communications, Inc.
               5619 DTC Parkway
               Englewood, Colorado  80111-3000
               Attention:  Chief Financial Officer

          (c)  If given to any Holder of Preferred Securities, at the address
set forth on the books and records of the Issuer.

             All such notices shall be deemed to have been given when received
in person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class mail,
postage prepaid, except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery
or cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was
given, such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on
the date of such refusal or inability to deliver.

SECTION 9.4  Benefit
             -------

             This Preferred Securities Guarantee is solely for the benefit of
the Holders of the Preferred Securities and, subject to Section 3.1(a), is not
separately transferable from the Preferred Securities.

                                      18
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 9.5  Governing Law
             -------------

             THIS PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND
CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK,
WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES.

SECTION 9.6  No Recourse Against Certain Persons.
             ----------------------------------- 

             No past, present or future director, officer, employee or
stockholder, as such, of the Guarantor or any successor thereof shall have any
liability for any obligations of the Guarantor under this Preferred Securities
Guarantee or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such
obligations or their creation and all such liability is hereby waived and
released. Such waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of
this Preferred Securities Guarantee and the Preferred Securities.

             THIS PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE is executed as of the day and
year first above written.

                                       TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC., as     
                                           Guarantor                    
                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
                                       By:_____________________________
                                       Name:                            
                                       Title:                           
                                                                        
                                                                        
                                       THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as         
                                          Preferred Guarantee Trustee   
                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
                                       By:_____________________________
                                       Name:                            
                                       Title:                            

                                      19

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.21
                      ___________________________________


                     COMMON SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT

                           TCI Communications, Inc.

                          Dated as of _________, 199_


                      ___________________________________
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
                               -----------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                         <C>
ARTICLE I   DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION.................................... 1
     SECTION 1.1  Definitions Interpretation.................................. 1
                  --------------------------

ARTICLE II  GUARANTEE......................................................... 3
     SECTION 2.1  Guarantee................................................... 3
                  ---------
     SECTION 2.2  Waiver of Notice and Demand................................. 3
                  ---------------------------
     SECTION 2.3  Obligations Not Affected.................................... 3
                  ------------------------
     SECTION 2.4  Rights of Holders........................................... 4
                  -----------------
     SECTION 2.5  Guarantee of Payment........................................ 4
                  --------------------
     SECTION 2.6  Subrogation................................................. 4
                  -----------
     SECTION 2.7  Independent Obligations..................................... 5
                  -----------------------

ARTICLE III LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION......................... 5
     SECTION 3.1  Limitation of Transactions.................................. 5
                  --------------------------
     SECTION 3.2  Ranking..................................................... 5
                  -------

ARTICLE IV  TERMINATION....................................................... 6
     SECTION 4.1  Termination................................................. 6
                  -----------

ARTICLE V   MISCELLANEOUS..................................................... 6
     SECTION 5.1  Successors and Assigns...................................... 6
                  ----------------------
     SECTION 5.2  Amendments.................................................. 6
                  ----------
     SECTION 5.3  Notices..................................................... 7
                  -------
     SECTION 5.4  Benefit..................................................... 7
                  -------
     SECTION 5.5  Governing Law............................................... 8
                  -------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
                     COMMON SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT


          This GUARANTEE AGREEMENT (this "Common Securities Guarantee"), dated
as of __________, 199_, is executed and delivered by TCI Communications, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Guarantor"), for the benefit of the Holders (as
defined herein) from time to time of the Common Securities (as defined herein)
of TCI Communications Financing V, a Delaware business trust (the "Issuer").

          WHEREAS, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (the
"Declaration"), dated as of __________, 199_, among the Trustees of the Issuer
named therein, the Guarantor, as sponsor, and the holders from time to time of
undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer, the Issuer is
issuing on the date hereof ________ common securities, having an aggregate
stated liquidation amount of $__________ designated the ____% Trust Originated
Common Securities (the "Common Securities");

          WHEREAS, as incentive for the Holders to purchase the Common
Securities, the Guarantor desires to irrevocably and unconditionally agree, to
the extent set forth in this Common Securities Guarantee, to pay to the Holders
of the Common Securities the Guarantee Payments (as defined herein) and to make
certain other payments on the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

          WHEREAS, the Guarantor is also executing and delivering a guarantee
agreement (the "Preferred Securities Guarantee") in substantially identical
terms to this Common Securities Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of the
Preferred Securities (as defined herein), except that if an Event of Default (as
such term is defined in the Indenture) has occurred and is continuing, the
rights of Holders of the Common Securities to receive Guarantee Payments under
this Common Securities Guarantee are subordinated to the rights of holders of
Preferred Securities to receive Guarantee Payments under the Preferred
Securities Guarantee.

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase by each Holder of
Common Securities, which purchase the Guarantor hereby agrees shall benefit the
Guarantor, the Guarantor executes and delivers this Common Securities Guarantee
for the benefit of the Holders.


                                   ARTICLE I
                        DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

SECTION 1.1 Definitions Interpretation
            --------------------------

            In this Common Securities Guarantee, unless the context otherwise
requires:
<PAGE>
 
               (a)  Capitalized terms used in this Common Securities Guarantee
          but not defined in the preamble above have the respective meanings
          assigned to them in this Section 1.1;--

               (b)  Terms defined in the Declaration as of the date of execution
          of this Common Securities Guarantee have the same meaning when used in
          this Common Securities Guarantee unless otherwise defined in this
          Common Securities Guarantee;

               (c)  a term defined anywhere in this Common Securities Guarantee
          has the same meaning throughout;

               (d)  all references to "the Common Securities Guarantee" or "this
          Common Securities Guarantee" are to this Common Securities Guarantee
          as modified, supplemented or amended from time to time;

               (e)  all references in this Common Securities Guarantee to
          Articles and Sections are to Articles and Sections of this Common
          Securities Guarantee unless otherwise specified; and

               (f)  a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice
          versa.

          "Guarantee Payments" shall mean the following payments or
distributions, without duplication, with respect to the Common Securities, to
the extent not paid or made by the Issuer: (i) any accrued and unpaid
Distributions that are required to be paid on such Common Securities, to the
extent the Issuer has funds available therefor, (ii) the redemption price,
including all accrued and unpaid Distributions to the date of redemption (the
"Redemption Price"), to the extent the Issuer has funds available therefor, with
respect to any Common Securities called for redemption by the Issuer, and (iii)
upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or termination of the
Issuer (other than in connection with the distribution of Subordinated Notes to
the Holders in exchange for Common Securities as provided in the Declaration),
the lesser of (a) the aggregate of the liquidation amount and all accrued and
unpaid Distributions on the Common Securities to the date of payment, to the
extent the Issuer has funds available therefor, and (b) the amount of assets of
the Issuer remaining available for distribution to Holders in liquidation of the
Issuer (in either case, the "Liquidation Distribution").  If an Event of Default
(as defined in the Indenture) has occurred and is continuing, the rights of
Holders of the Common Securities to receive Guarantee Payments under this Common
Securities Guarantee are subordinated to the rights of holders of Preferred
Securities to receive Guarantee Payments.

          "Holder" shall mean any holder, as registered on the books and records
of the Issuer, of any Common Securities.

          "Preferred Securities" shall mean the securities representing
preferred undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
            "TCI" shall mean Tele-Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation.


                                  ARTICLE II
                                   GUARANTEE

SECTION 2.1 Guarantee
            ---------

            The Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to pay in full
to the Holders the Guarantee Payments (without duplication of amounts
theretofore paid by the Issuer), as and when due, regardless of any defense,
right of set-off or counterclaim which the Issuer may have or assert. The
Guarantor's obligation to make a Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct
payment of the required amounts by the Guarantor to the Holders or by causing
the Issuer to pay such amounts to the Holders.

SECTION 2.2 Waiver of Notice and Demand
            ---------------------------

            The Guarantor hereby waives notice of acceptance of this Common
Securities Guarantee and of any liability to which it applies or may apply,
presentment, demand for payment, any right to require a proceeding first against
the Issuer or any other Person before proceeding against the Guarantor, protest,
notice of nonpayment, notice of dishonor, notice of redemption and all other
notices and demands.

SECTION 2.3 Obligations Not Affected
            ------------------------

            The obligations, covenants, agreements and duties of the Guarantor
under this Common Securities Guarantee shall in no way be affected or impaired
by reason of the happening from time to time of any of the following:

               (a)  the release or waiver, by operation of law or otherwise, of
            the performance or observance by the Issuer of any express or
            implied agreement, covenant, term or condition relating to the
            Common Securities to be performed or observed by the Issuer;

               (b)  the extension of time for the payment by the Issuer of all
            or any portion of the Distributions, Redemption Price, Liquidation
            Distribution or any other sums payable under the terms of the Common
            Securities or the extension of time for the performance of any other
            obligation under, arising out of, or in connection with, the Common
            Securities (other than an extension of time for payment of
            Distributions or other sum payable that results from the extension
            of any interest payment period on the Subordinated Notes permitted
            by the Indenture);

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
               (c)  any failure, omission, delay or lack of diligence on the
            part of the Holders to enforce, assert or exercise any right,
            privilege, power or remedy conferred on the Holders pursuant to the
            terms of the Common Securities, or any action on the part of the
            Issuer granting indulgence or extension of any kind;

               (d)  the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale
            of any collateral, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment
            for the benefit of creditors, reorganization, arrangement,
            composition or readjustment of debt of, or other similar proceedings
            affecting, the Issuer or any of the assets of the Issuer;

               (e)  any invalidity of, or defect or deficiency in, the Common
            Securities;

               (f)  the settlement or compromise of any obligation guaranteed
            hereby or hereby incurred; or

               (g)  any other circumstance whatsoever that might otherwise
            constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor,
            it being the intent of this Section 2.3 that the obligations of the
            Guarantor hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional under any
            and all circumstances.

There shall be no obligation of the Holders to give notice to, or obtain consent
of, the Guarantor with respect to the happening of any of the foregoing.

SECTION 2.4 Rights of Holders
            -----------------

            The Guarantor expressly acknowledges that any Holder of Common
Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Guarantor to
enforce its rights under this Common Securities Guarantee, without first
instituting a legal proceeding against the Issuer or any other Person.

SECTION 2.5 Guarantee of Payment
            --------------------

            This Common Securities Guarantee creates a guarantee of payment and
not of collection.

SECTION 2.6 Subrogation
            -----------

            The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all (if any) rights of the
Holders of Common Securities against the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid
to such Holders by the Guarantor under this Common Securities Guarantee;
provided, however, that the Guarantor shall not (except to the extent required
- --------  -------                                                             
by mandatory provisions of law) be entitled to enforce or exercise any rights
which it may acquire by way of subrogation or any indemnity, reimbursement or
other agreement, in all cases as a result of payment under this Common
Securities Guarantee, if, at the time of any such

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
payment, any amounts are due and unpaid under this Common Securities Guarantee.
If any amount shall be paid to the Guarantor in violation of the preceding
sentence, the Guarantor agrees to hold such amount in trust for the Holders and
to pay over such amount to the Holders.

SECTION 2.7 Independent Obligations
            -----------------------

            The Guarantor acknowledges that its obligations hereunder are
independent of the obligations of the Issuer with respect to the Common
Securities and that the Guarantor shall be liable as principal and as debtor
hereunder to make Guarantee Payments pursuant to the terms of this Common
Securities Guarantee notwithstanding the occurrence of any event referred to in
subsections (a) through (g), inclusive, of Section 2.3 hereof.


                                  ARTICLE III
                   LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION

SECTION 3.1 Limitation of Transactions
            --------------------------

            (a)  So long as any Common Securities remain outstanding, if (i) the
Guarantor shall be in default with respect to its Guarantee Payments or other
obligations hereunder, or (ii) there shall have occurred any Event of Default
then (a) the Guarantor shall not declare or pay any dividend on, or make any
distributions with respect to, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a
liquidation payment with respect to, any of its capital stock, (b) the Guarantor
shall not make any payment of interest, principal or premium, if any, on or
repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities issued by the Guarantor which
rank pari passu with or junior to the Subordinated Notes and (c) the Guarantor
shall not make any guarantee payments with respect to any of the foregoing.

            (b)  Notwithstanding subsection 3.1(a) or any other language to the
contrary contained in this Common Securities Guarantee, nothing shall prevent
the Guarantor from: (i) declaring or paying any dividend on, or making any
distribution with respect to, or redeeming or making a liquidation or guarantee
payment with respect to, any of its capital stock in or with (x) securities of
the Guarantor (including capital stock) that rank junior to such capital stock
or (y) securities (including capital stock) of TCI or (ii) paying any interest,
principal or premium on, or repaying redeeming, or making any guarantee payment
with respect to any debt securities issued by the Guarantor which rank pari
passu with or junior to the Subordinated Notes, with (x) securities of the
Guarantor (including capital stock) that rank junior to such debt securities or
(y) securities (including capital stock) of TCI.

SECTION 3.2 Ranking
            -------

            This Common Securities Guarantee will constitute an unsecured
obligation of the Guarantor and will rank (i) subordinate and junior in right of
payment to all other liabilities of the Guarantor, including the Subordinated
Notes and the Preferred Securities Guarantee, except those

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
liabilities of the Guarantor made pari passu or subordinate by their terms, (ii)
pari passu with the most senior preferred stock issued from time to time by the
Guarantor and with any guarantee now or hereafter entered into by the Guarantor
in respect of any preferred stock of any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the
Guarantor, except the Preferred Securities Guarantee, and (iii) senior to the
Guarantor's common stock.


                                  ARTICLE IV
                                  TERMINATION

SECTION 4.1 Termination
            -----------

            This Common Securities Guarantee shall terminate upon the first to
occur of (i) full payment of the Redemption Price of all Common Securities, (ii)
the distribution of Subordinated Notes to the Holders of all of the Common
Securities or (iii) the full payment of the amounts payable in accordance with
the Declaration upon liquidation of the Issuer.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,
this Common Securities Guarantee will continue to be effective or will be
reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any Holder of Common Securities
must restore payment of any sums paid under the Common Securities or under this
Common Securities Guarantee.


                                   ARTICLE V
                                 MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 5.1 Successors and Assigns
            ----------------------

            All guarantees and agreements contained in this Common Securities
Guarantee shall bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and
representatives of the Guarantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Holders
of the Common Securities then outstanding.

SECTION 5.2 Amendments
            ----------

            Except with respect to any changes which do not adversely affect the
rights of Holders (in which case no consent of Holders will be required), this
Common Securities Guarantee may only be amended with the prior approval of the
Holders of at least a majority in liquidation amount of all the outstanding
Common Securities.  The provisions of Section 12.2 of the Declaration with
respect to meetings of Holders of the Securities apply to the giving of such
approval.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 5.3 Notices
            -------

            All notices provided for in this Common Securities Guarantee shall
be in writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be
delivered, telecopied or mailed by registered or certified mail, as follows:

               (a)  if given to the Issuer, in care of the Regular Trustees at
            the Issuer's mailing address set forth below (or such other address
            as the Issuer may give notice of to the Holders of the Common
            Securities):

                    c/o TCI Communications Financing V
                    Terrace Tower II
                    5619 DTC Parkway
                    Englewood, Colorado  80111-3000
                    Attention: Stephen M. Brett

               (b)  if given to the Guarantor, at the Guarantor's mailing
            address set forth below (or such other address as the Guarantor may
            give notice of to the Holders of the Common Securities):

                    TCI Communications, Inc.
                    Terrace Tower II
                    5619 DTC Parkway
                    Englewood, Colorado  80111-3000
                    Attention:  Chief Financial Officer

               (c)  if given to any Holder of Common Securities, at the address
            set forth on the books and records of the Issuer.

            All such notices shall be deemed to have been given when received in
person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class mail,
postage prepaid except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery or
cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was given,
such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date
of such refusal or inability to deliver.

SECTION 5.4 Benefit
            -------

            This Common Securities Guarantee is solely for the benefit of the
Holders of the Common Securities and is not separately transferable from the
Common Securities.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 5.5 Governing Law
            -------------

            THIS COMMON SECURITIES GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED
AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT
GIVING EFFECT TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES.

            This Common Securities Guarantee is executed as of the day and year
first above written.


                                             TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
 
 
                                             By:________________________________
                                                Name:
                                                Title:

                                      -8-

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.22


                        ______________________________


                     COMMON SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT

                           TCI Communications, Inc.

                          Dated as of _________, 199_

                        ______________________________
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
                               -----------------

                                                                      Page
                                                                      ----
ARTICLE I    DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION...........................  1
     SECTION 1.1 Definitions Interpretation...........................  1
                 --------------------------

ARTICLE II   GUARANTEE................................................  3
     SECTION 2.1 Guarantee............................................  3
                 ---------
     SECTION 2.2 Waiver of Notice and Demand..........................  3
                 ---------------------------
     SECTION 2.3 Obligations Not Affected.............................  3
                 ------------------------
     SECTION 2.4 Rights of Holders....................................  4
                 -----------------
     SECTION 2.5 Guarantee of Payment.................................  4
                 --------------------
     SECTION 2.6 Subrogation..........................................  4
                 -----------
     SECTION 2.7 Independent Obligations..............................  5
                 -----------------------

ARTICLE III  LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION................  5
     SECTION 3.1 Limitation of Transactions...........................  5
                 --------------------------
     SECTION 3.2 Ranking..............................................  5
                 -------

ARTICLE IV   TERMINATION..............................................  6
     SECTION 4.1 Termination..........................................  6
                 -----------

ARTICLE V    MISCELLANEOUS............................................  6
     SECTION 5.1 Successors and Assigns...............................  6
                 ----------------------
     SECTION 5.2 Amendments...........................................  6
                 ----------
     SECTION 5.3 Notices..............................................  7
                 -------
     SECTION 5.4 Benefit..............................................  7
                 -------
     SECTION 5.5 Governing Law........................................  8
                 -------------
<PAGE>
 
                     COMMON SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT


          This GUARANTEE AGREEMENT (this "Common Securities Guarantee"), dated
as of __________, 199_, is executed and delivered by TCI Communications, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Guarantor"), for the benefit of the Holders (as
defined herein) from time to time of the Common Securities (as defined herein)
of TCI Communications Financing VI, a Delaware business trust (the "Issuer").

          WHEREAS, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (the
"Declaration"), dated as of __________, 199_, among the Trustees of the Issuer
named therein, the Guarantor, as sponsor, and the holders from time to time of
undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer, the Issuer is
issuing on the date hereof ________ common securities, having an aggregate
stated liquidation amount of $__________ designated the ____% Trust Originated
Common Securities (the "Common Securities");

          WHEREAS, as incentive for the Holders to purchase the Common
Securities, the Guarantor desires to irrevocably and unconditionally agree, to
the extent set forth in this Common Securities Guarantee, to pay to the Holders
of the Common Securities the Guarantee Payments (as defined herein) and to make
certain other payments on the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

          WHEREAS, the Guarantor is also executing and delivering a guarantee
agreement (the "Preferred Securities Guarantee") in substantially identical
terms to this Common Securities Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of the
Preferred Securities (as defined herein), except that if an Event of Default (as
such term is defined in the Indenture) has occurred and is continuing, the
rights of Holders of the Common Securities to receive Guarantee Payments under
this Common Securities Guarantee are subordinated to the rights of holders of
Preferred Securities to receive Guarantee Payments under the Preferred
Securities Guarantee.

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase by each Holder of
Common Securities, which purchase the Guarantor hereby agrees shall benefit the
Guarantor, the Guarantor executes and delivers this Common Securities Guarantee
for the benefit of the Holders.


                                   ARTICLE I
                        DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

 SECTION 1.1  Definitions Interpretation
              --------------------------

          In this Common Securities Guarantee, unless the context otherwise
requires:
<PAGE>
 
               (a)  Capitalized terms used in this Common Securities Guarantee
          but not defined in the preamble above have the respective meanings
          assigned to them in this Section 1.1;

               (b)  Terms defined in the Declaration as of the date of execution
          of this Common Securities Guarantee have the same meaning when used in
          this Common Securities Guarantee unless otherwise defined in this
          Common Securities Guarantee;

               (c)  a term defined anywhere in this Common Securities Guarantee
          has the same meaning throughout;

               (d)  all references to "the Common Securities Guarantee" or "this
          Common Securities Guarantee" are to this Common Securities Guarantee
          as modified, supplemented or amended from time to time;

               (e)  all references in this Common Securities Guarantee to
          Articles and Sections are to Articles and Sections of this Common
          Securities Guarantee unless otherwise specified; and

               (f)  a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice
          versa.

          "Guarantee Payments" shall mean the following payments or
distributions, without duplication, with respect to the Common Securities, to
the extent not paid or made by the Issuer: (i) any accrued and unpaid
Distributions that are required to be paid on such Common Securities, to the
extent the Issuer has funds available therefor, (ii) the redemption price,
including all accrued and unpaid Distributions to the date of redemption (the
"Redemption Price"), to the extent the Issuer has funds available therefor, with
respect to any Common Securities called for redemption by the Issuer, and (iii)
upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or termination of the
Issuer (other than in connection with the distribution of Subordinated Notes to
the Holders in exchange for Common Securities as provided in the Declaration),
the lesser of (a) the aggregate of the liquidation amount and all accrued and
unpaid Distributions on the Common Securities to the date of payment, to the
extent the Issuer has funds available therefor, and (b) the amount of assets of
the Issuer remaining available for distribution to Holders in liquidation of the
Issuer (in either case, the "Liquidation Distribution").  If an Event of Default
(as defined in the Indenture) has occurred and is continuing, the rights of
Holders of the Common Securities to receive Guarantee Payments under this Common
Securities Guarantee are subordinated to the rights of holders of Preferred
Securities to receive Guarantee Payments.

          "Holder" shall mean any holder, as registered on the books and records
of the Issuer, of any Common Securities.

          "Preferred Securities" shall mean the securities representing
preferred undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
          "TCI" shall mean Tele-Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation.


                                  ARTICLE II
                                   GUARANTEE

 SECTION 2.1  Guarantee
              ---------

          The Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to pay in full to
the Holders the Guarantee Payments (without duplication of amounts theretofore
paid by the Issuer), as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of set-
off or counterclaim which the Issuer may have or assert. The Guarantor's
obligation to make a Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct payment of the
required amounts by the Guarantor to the Holders or by causing the Issuer to pay
such amounts to the Holders.

 SECTION 2.2  Waiver of Notice and Demand
              ---------------------------

          The Guarantor hereby waives notice of acceptance of this Common
Securities Guarantee and of any liability to which it applies or may apply,
presentment, demand for payment, any right to require a proceeding first against
the Issuer or any other Person before proceeding against the Guarantor, protest,
notice of nonpayment, notice of dishonor, notice of redemption and all other
notices and demands.

 SECTION 2.3  Obligations Not Affected
              ------------------------

          The obligations, covenants, agreements and duties of the Guarantor
under this Common Securities Guarantee shall in no way be affected or impaired
by reason of the happening from time to time of any of the following:

               (a)  the release or waiver, by operation of law or otherwise, of
          the performance or observance by the Issuer of any express or implied
          agreement, covenant, term or condition relating to the Common
          Securities to be performed or observed by the Issuer;

               (b)  the extension of time for the payment by the Issuer of all
          or any portion of the Distributions, Redemption Price, Liquidation
          Distribution or any other sums payable under the terms of the Common
          Securities or the extension of time for the performance of any other
          obligation under, arising out of, or in connection with, the Common
          Securities (other than an extension of time for payment of
          Distributions or other sum payable that results from the extension of
          any interest payment period on the Subordinated Notes permitted by the
          Indenture);

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
               (c)  any failure, omission, delay or lack of diligence on the
          part of the Holders to enforce, assert or exercise any right,
          privilege, power or remedy conferred on the Holders pursuant to the
          terms of the Common Securities, or any action on the part of the
          Issuer granting indulgence or extension of any kind;

               (d)  the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale
          of any collateral, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment
          for the benefit of creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition
          or readjustment of debt of, or other similar proceedings affecting,
          the Issuer or any of the assets of the Issuer;

               (e)  any invalidity of, or defect or deficiency in, the Common
          Securities;

               (f)  the settlement or compromise of any obligation guaranteed
          hereby or hereby incurred; or

               (g)  any other circumstance whatsoever that might otherwise
          constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor,
          it being the intent of this Section 2.3 that the obligations of the
          Guarantor hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional under any and
          all circumstances.

There shall be no obligation of the Holders to give notice to, or obtain consent
of, the Guarantor with respect to the happening of any of the foregoing.

 SECTION 2.4  Rights of Holders
              -----------------

          The Guarantor expressly acknowledges that any Holder of Common
Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Guarantor to
enforce its rights under this Common Securities Guarantee, without first
instituting a legal proceeding against the Issuer or any other Person.

 SECTION 2.5  Guarantee of Payment
              --------------------

          This Common Securities Guarantee creates a guarantee of payment and
not of collection.

 SECTION 2.6  Subrogation
              -----------

          The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all (if any) rights of the
Holders of Common Securities against the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid
to such Holders by the Guarantor under this Common Securities Guarantee;
provided, however, that the Guarantor shall not (except to the extent required
- --------  -------                                                             
by mandatory provisions of law) be entitled to enforce or exercise any rights
which it may acquire by way of subrogation or any indemnity, reimbursement or
other agreement, in all cases as a result of payment under this Common
Securities Guarantee, if, at the time of any such

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
payment, any amounts are due and unpaid under this Common Securities Guarantee.
If any amount shall be paid to the Guarantor in violation of the preceding
sentence, the Guarantor agrees to hold such amount in trust for the Holders and
to pay over such amount to the Holders.

 SECTION 2.7  Independent Obligations
              -----------------------

          The Guarantor acknowledges that its obligations hereunder are
independent of the obligations of the Issuer with respect to the Common
Securities and that the Guarantor shall be liable as principal and as debtor
hereunder to make Guarantee Payments pursuant to the terms of this Common
Securities Guarantee notwithstanding the occurrence of any event referred to in
subsections (a) through (g), inclusive, of Section 2.3 hereof.


                                  ARTICLE III
                   LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION

 SECTION 3.1  Limitation of Transactions
              --------------------------

          (a)  So long as any Common Securities remain outstanding, if (i) the
Guarantor shall be in default with respect to its Guarantee Payments or other
obligations hereunder, or (ii) there shall have occurred any Event of Default
then (a) the Guarantor shall not declare or pay any dividend on, or make any
distributions with respect to, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a
liquidation payment with respect to, any of its capital stock, (b) the Guarantor
shall not make any payment of interest, principal or premium, if any, on or
repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities issued by the Guarantor which
rank pari passu with or junior to the Subordinated Notes and (c) the Guarantor
shall not make any guarantee payments with respect to any of the foregoing.

          (b)  Notwithstanding subsection 3.1(a) or any other language to the
contrary contained in this Common Securities Guarantee, nothing shall prevent
the Guarantor from: (i) declaring or paying any dividend on, or making any
distribution with respect to, or redeeming or making a liquidation or guarantee
payment with respect to, any of its capital stock in or with (x) securities of
the Guarantor (including capital stock) that rank junior to such capital stock
or (y) securities (including capital stock) of TCI or (ii) paying any interest,
principal or premium on, or repaying redeeming, or making any guarantee payment
with respect to any debt securities issued by the Guarantor which rank pari
passu with or junior to the Subordinated Notes, with (x) securities of the
Guarantor (including capital stock) that rank junior to such debt securities or
(y) securities (including capital stock) of TCI.

 SECTION 3.2  Ranking
              -------

          This Common Securities Guarantee will constitute an unsecured
obligation of the Guarantor and will rank (i) subordinate and junior in right of
payment to all other liabilities of the Guarantor, including the Subordinated
Notes and the Preferred Securities Guarantee, except those

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
liabilities of the Guarantor made pari passu or subordinate by their terms, (ii)
pari passu with the most senior preferred stock issued from time to time by the
Guarantor and with any guarantee now or hereafter entered into by the Guarantor
in respect of any preferred stock of any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the
Guarantor, except the Preferred Securities Guarantee, and (iii) senior to the
Guarantor's common stock.


                                  ARTICLE IV
                                  TERMINATION

 SECTION 4.1  Termination
              -----------

          This Common Securities Guarantee shall terminate upon the first to
occur of (i) full payment of the Redemption Price of all Common Securities, (ii)
the distribution of Subordinated Notes to the Holders of all of the Common
Securities or (iii) the full payment of the amounts payable in accordance with
the Declaration upon liquidation of the Issuer.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,
this Common Securities Guarantee will continue to be effective or will be
reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any Holder of Common Securities
must restore payment of any sums paid under the Common Securities or under this
Common Securities Guarantee.


                                   ARTICLE V
                                 MISCELLANEOUS

 SECTION 5.1  Successors and Assigns
              ----------------------

          All guarantees and agreements contained in this Common Securities
Guarantee shall bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and
representatives of the Guarantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Holders
of the Common Securities then outstanding.

 SECTION 5.2  Amendments
              ----------

          Except with respect to any changes which do not adversely affect the
rights of Holders (in which case no consent of Holders will be required), this
Common Securities Guarantee may only be amended with the prior approval of the
Holders of at least a majority in liquidation amount of all the outstanding
Common Securities.  The provisions of Section 12.2 of the Declaration with
respect to meetings of Holders of the Securities apply to the giving of such
approval.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
 SECTION 5.3  Notices
              -------

          All notices provided for in this Common Securities Guarantee shall be
in writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be delivered,
telecopied or mailed by registered or certified mail, as follows:

               (a)  if given to the Issuer, in care of the Regular Trustees at
          the Issuer's mailing address set forth below (or such other address as
          the Issuer may give notice of to the Holders of the Common
          Securities):

                    c/o TCI Communications Financing VI
                    Terrace Tower II
                    5619 DTC Parkway
                    Englewood, Colorado  80111-3000
                    Attention: Stephen M. Brett

               (b)  if given to the Guarantor, at the Guarantor's mailing
          address set forth below (or such other address as the Guarantor may
          give notice of to the Holders of the Common Securities):

                    TCI Communications, Inc.
                    Terrace Tower II
                    5619 DTC Parkway
                    Englewood, Colorado  80111-3000
                    Attention:  Chief Financial Officer

               (c)  if given to any Holder of Common Securities, at the address
          set forth on the books and records of the Issuer.

          All such notices shall be deemed to have been given when received in
person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class mail,
postage prepaid except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery or
cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was given,
such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date
of such refusal or inability to deliver.

 SECTION 5.4  Benefit
              -------

          This Common Securities Guarantee is solely for the benefit of the
Holders of the Common Securities and is not separately transferable from the
Common Securities.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
 SECTION 5.5  Governing Law
              -------------

          THIS COMMON SECURITIES GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED
AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT
GIVING EFFECT TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES.

          This Common Securities Guarantee is executed as of the day and year
first above written.

                                        TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
 
 
                                        By:_____________________________________
                                        Name:
                                        Title:

                                      -8-

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 12
 
                           TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
                         AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
   CALCULATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED
                                STOCK DIVIDENDS
                   (AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT FOR RATIOS)
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   NINE MONTHS
                                                                      ENDED
                                                                    SEPTEMBER
                                  YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,              30,
                           --------------------------------------- -------------
                            1995   1994(B) 1993(B) 1992(B) 1991(B) 1996  1995(B)
                           ------  ------- ------- ------- ------- ----  -------
<S>                        <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>   <C>
Earnings (losses) before
 income taxes............  $ (169)    226    164       47    (107) (353)   (75)
Add:
Interest on debt.........     971     784    738      815     928   770    720
Interest portion of
 rentals.................      35      25     23       22      23    34     26
Amortization of debt
 expense.................      14      12     12        9       6    11     10
Distributions from and
 losses of less than 50%-
 owned affiliates with
 debt not guaranteed by
 TCIC....................      33     (35)    23      (12)    (28)   39     26
Minority interests in
 (earnings) losses of
 consolidated
 subsidiaries............     (11)     12     13      277      24    43    --
Elimination of preferred
 stock dividend
 requirements of
 consolidated
 subsidiaries to 50%-
 owned affiliates........     --      --     --      (250)    (42)  --     --
Preferred stock dividend
 requirements of 50%-
 owned affiliates, other
 than amounts to TCIC....     --      --     --       175      23   --     --
                           ------   -----   ----    -----   -----  ----    ---
Earnings available for
 fixed charges...........  $  873   1,024    973    1,083     827   544    707
                           ======   =====   ====    =====   =====  ====    ===
Fixed charges:
Interest on debt:
TCIC and consolidated
 subsidiaries............     962     777    731      718     826   760    713
Less than 50%-owned
 affiliates with debt
 guaranteed by TCIC......       9       7    --       --      --     10    --
Elimination of interest
 of consolidated
 subsidiaries to 50%-
 owned affiliates........     --      --     --       (36)    (47)  --       7
TCIC's proportionate
 share of interest of
 50%-owned affiliates....     --      --       7      133     149   --     --
                           ------   -----   ----    -----   -----  ----    ---
                              971     784    738      815     928   770    720
Interest portion of
 rentals.................      35      25     23       22      23    34     26
Amortization of debt
 expense.................      14      12     12        9       6    11     10
Preferred stock dividend
 requirements of
 consolidated
 subsidiaries (a)........      10      10     14      281      61    96      7
Preferred stock dividend
 requirements of
 TCIC(a).................     --      --       3       25     --     12    --
Elimination of preferred
 stock dividend
 requirements of
 consolidated
 subsidiaries to 50%-
 owned affiliates........     --      --     --      (250)    (42)  --     --
Preferred stock dividend
 requirements of 50%-
 owned affiliates, other
 than amounts to TCIC....     --      --     --       175      23   --     --
Capitalized interest.....      13      15      9        6       5     9      7
                           ------   -----   ----    -----   -----  ----    ---
Total fixed charges......  $1,043     846    799    1,083   1,004   932    770
                           ======   =====   ====    =====   =====  ====    ===
Ratio of earnings to
 fixed charges...........     --     1.21   1.22     1.00     --    --     --
Deficiency...............  $ (170)    --     --       --     (177) (388)   (63)
</TABLE>
- --------
(a) Preferred Stock dividend requirements have been increased to an amount
    representing the pretax earnings which would be required to cover such
    dividend requirements. The effective income tax rate utilized for purposes
    of increasing preferred stock dividend requirements in 1993 has been
    adjusted to exclude the effect of the federal income tax rate change in
    the third quarter of 1993.
(b) Amounts have been restated for the effect of the change in ownership
    percentages of methods of accounting for certain investments.
<PAGE>

 
                            TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
                         AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
CALCULATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK
                                   DIVIDENDS
                    (AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT FOR RATIOS)
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
  Fixed charges related to interest on debt of less than 50%-owned affiliates
or unaffiliated persons guaranteed by TCIC have not been included in fixed
charges as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
     <S>                                                                     <C>
     1995...................................................................   5
     1994...................................................................   5
     1993...................................................................  14
     1992...................................................................   3
     1991...................................................................   1
<CAPTION>
     NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
     <S>                                                                     <C>
     1996...................................................................   3
     1995...................................................................   3
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
The Board of Directors and Stockholder
TCI Communications, Inc.:
 
  We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement
on Form S-3 of TCI Communications, Inc. of our reports, dated March 18, 1996,
relating to the consolidated balance sheets of TCI Communications, Inc. and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, and the related consolidated
statements of operations, stockholder's(s') equity, and cash flows for each of
the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1995, and all related
financial statement schedules, which reports appear in the December 31, 1995
Annual Report on Form 10-K of TCI Communications, Inc. and to the reference to
our firm under the heading "Experts" in the registration statement.
 
                                          /s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
                                          KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
Denver, Colorado
November 26, 1996

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 23.2
 
                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
of Tele-Communications International, Inc.:
 
  We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statement
on Form S-3 of TCI Communications, Inc. of our report, dated March 24, 1995,
relating to the combined balance sheets of Cablevision (A combination of
certain cable television assets of Cablevision S.A., Televisora Belgrano S.A.,
Construred S.A. and Univent's S.A.) as of December 31, 1994 and 1993, and the
related combined statements of operations and deficit and cash flows for each
of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1994, which report
appears in the Current Report on Form 8-K of TCI Communications, Inc., dated
April 20, 1995, as amended, and to the reference to our firm under the heading
"Experts" in the registration statement.
 
KPMG Finsterbusch Pickenhayn Sibille
 
/s/ Juan Carlos Pickenhayn
Juan Carlos Pickenhayn
Partner
 
Buenos Aires, Argentina
November 26, 1996

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 23.3
 
                      CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus
constituting part of the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of TCI
Communications, Inc. of our report dated February 14, 1996, relating to the
combined financial statements of VII Cable which appears in the Current Report
on Form 8-K of Tele-Communications, Inc. dated June 19, 1996. We also consent
to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in such Prospectus.
 
/s/ Price Waterhouse LLP
PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
 
San Jose, California
November 26, 1996

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 25.1

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


                                   FORM T-1

                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C.  20549

                           STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
                  UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A
                   CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

                     CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE
                     ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO
                       SECTION 305(b)(2)           |__|

                            ______________________

                              THE BANK OF NEW YORK
              (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)


New York                                                13-5160382
(State of incorporation                                 (I.R.S. employer
if not a U.S. national bank)                            identification no.)

48 Wall Street, New York, N.Y.                          10286
(Address of principal executive offices)                (Zip code)


                            ______________________


                            TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
              (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)


Delaware                                                84-0588868
(State or other jurisdiction of                         (I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization)                          identification no.)

Terrace Tower II
5619 DTC Parkway
Englewood, Colorado                                     80111-3000
(Address of principal executive offices)                (Zip code)

                             ______________________

                          Subordinated Debt Securities
                      (Title of the indenture securities)


================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
1.   GENERAL INFORMATION.  FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO THE TRUSTEE:

     (A)  NAME AND ADDRESS OF EACH EXAMINING OR SUPERVISING AUTHORITY TO WHICH
          IT IS SUBJECT.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Name                                        Address
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Superintendent of Banks of the State of       2 Rector Street, New York,
     New York                                      N.Y.  10006, and Albany, N.Y.
                                                   12203

     Federal Reserve Bank of New York              33 Liberty Plaza, New York,
                                                   N.Y.  10045

     Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation         Washington, D.C.  20429

     New York Clearing House Association           New York, New York

     (B) WHETHER IT IS AUTHORIZED TO EXERCISE CORPORATE TRUST POWERS.

     Yes.

2.   AFFILIATIONS WITH OBLIGOR.

     IF THE OBLIGOR IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE TRUSTEE, DESCRIBE EACH SUCH
     AFFILIATION.

     None.  (See Note on page 3.)

16.  LIST OF EXHIBITS.

     EXHIBITS IDENTIFIED IN PARENTHESES BELOW, ON FILE WITH THE COMMISSION, ARE
     INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE AS AN EXHIBIT HERETO, PURSUANT TO RULE 7A-
     29 UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 (THE "ACT") AND RULE 24 OF THE
     COMMISSION'S RULES OF PRACTICE.

     1.   A copy of the Organization Certificate of The Bank of New York
          (formerly Irving Trust Company) as now in effect, which contains the
          authority to commence business and a grant of powers to exercise
          corporate trust powers. (Exhibit 1 to Amendment No. 1 to Form T-1
          filed with Registration Statement No. 33-6215, Exhibits 1a and 1b to
          Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-21672 and Exhibit 1
          to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-29637.)

     4.   A copy of the existing By-laws of the Trustee.  (Exhibit 4 to Form T-1
          filed with Registration Statement No. 33-31019.)

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
     6.   The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act.
          (Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-
          44051.)

     7.   A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee published
          pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining
          authority.


                                      NOTE


     Inasmuch as this Form T-1 is filed prior to the ascertainment by the
Trustee of all facts on which to base a responsive answer to Item 2, the answer
to said Item is based on incomplete information.

     Item 2 may, however, be considered as correct unless amended by an
amendment to this Form T-1.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURE


     Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, the Trustee, The Bank of New York,
a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York,
has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in The City of New York, and State
of New York, on the 4th day of November, 1996.


                                         THE BANK OF NEW YORK



                                         By:   /S/STEPHEN J. GIURLANDO
                                            -------------------------------
                                            Name:  STEPHEN J. GIURLANDO
                                            Title: ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       Exhibit 7

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

                      Consolidated Report of Condition of

                             THE BANK OF NEW YORK

                    of 48 Wall Street, New York, N.Y. 10286

     And Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries, a member of the Federal Reserve
System, at the close of business March 31, 1996, published in accordance with a
call made by the Federal Reserve Bank of this District pursuant to the
provisions of the Federal Reserve Act.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            Dollar Amounts
ASSETS                                      in Thousands
<S>                                         <C>
Cash and balances due from depos-
  itory institutions:
  Noninterest-bearing balances and
  currency and coin......................     $ 2,461,550
  Interest-bearing balances..............         835,563
Securities:
  Held-to-maturity securities............         802,064
  Available-for-sale securities..........       2,051,263
Federal funds sold in domestic offices
of the bank:
Federal funds sold.......................       3,885,475
Loans and lease financing
  receivables:
  Loans and leases, net of unearned
    income ..............................      27,820,159
  LESS: Allowance for loan and
    lease losses ........................         509,817
  LESS: Allocated transfer risk
    reserve..............................           1,000
    Loans and leases, net of unearned
    income, allowance, and reserve.......      27,309,342
Assets held in trading accounts..........         837,118
Premises and fixed assets (including
  capitalized leases)....................         614,567
Other real estate owned..................          51,631
Investments in unconsolidated
  subsidiaries and associated
  companies..............................         225,158
Customers' liability to this bank on
  acceptances outstanding................         800,375
Intangible assets........................         436,668
Other assets.............................       1,247,908
                                              -----------
Total assets.............................     $41,558,682
                                              ===========

LIABILITIES
Deposits:
  In domestic offices....................     $18,851,327
  Noninterest-bearing....................       7,102,645
  Interest-bearing.......................      11,748,682
  In foreign offices, Edge and
  Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs.......      10,965,604
  Noninterest-bearing....................          37,855
  Interest-bearing.......................      10,927,749
Federal funds purchased and securities
  sold under agreements to repurchase in
  domestic offices of the bank and of its
  Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and in
  IBFs:
  Federal funds purchased................       1,224,886
  Securities sold under agreements
    to repurchase........................          29,728
Demand notes issued to the U.S.
  Treasury...............................         118,870
Trading liabilities......................         673,944
Other borrowed money:
  With original maturity of one year
    or less..............................       2,713,248
  With original maturity of more than
    one year.............................          20,780
Bank's liability on acceptances exe-
  cuted and outstanding..................         803,292
Subordinated notes and debentures........       1,022,860
Other liabilities........................       1,590,564
                                              -----------
Total liabilities........................      38,015,103
                                              -----------

EQUITY CAPITAL
Common stock.............................         942,284
Surplus..................................         525,666
Undivided profits and capital
  reserves...............................       2,078,197
Net unrealized holding gains
  (losses) on available-for-sale
  securities.............................           3,197
Cumulative foreign currency translation
  adjustments............................      (    5,765)
                                              -----------
Total equity capital.....................       3,543,579
                                              -----------
Total liabilities and equity
  capital................................     $41,558,682
                                              ===========
</TABLE>

   I, Robert E. Keilman, Senior Vice President and Comptroller of the above-
named bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has been prepared in
conformance with the instructions issued by the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System and is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

                                                            Robert E. Keilman

   We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this Report of
Condition and declare that it has been examined by us and to the best of our
knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions
issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and is true and
correct.

             
   J. Carter Bacot     }
   Thomas A. Renyi     }     Directors
   Alan R. Griffith    }
             
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 25.2


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


                                   FORM T-1

                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C.  20549

                           STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
                  UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A
                   CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

                     CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE
                     ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO
                       SECTION 305(b)(2)           |__|

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

                             THE BANK OF NEW YORK
              (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)


New York                                                13-5160382
(State of incorporation                                 (I.R.S. employer
if not a U.S. national bank)                            identification no.)

48 Wall Street, New York, N.Y.                          10286
(Address of principal executive offices)                (Zip code)


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


                       TCI COMMUNICATIONS FINANCING III
              (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)


Delaware                                                84-6289177
(State or other jurisdiction of                         (I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization)                          identification no.)

Terrace Tower II
5619 DTC Parkway
Englewood, Colorado                                     80111-3000
(Address of principal executive offices)                (Zip code)

                            ______________________

                             Preferred Securities
                      (Title of the indenture securities)


================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
1.   GENERAL INFORMATION.  FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO THE TRUSTEE:

     (A)  NAME AND ADDRESS OF EACH EXAMINING OR SUPERVISING AUTHORITY TO WHICH
          IT IS SUBJECT.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Name                                        Address
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Superintendent of Banks of the State of       2 Rector Street, New York,
     New York                                      N.Y.  10006, and Albany, N.Y.
                                                   12203

     Federal Reserve Bank of New York              33 Liberty Plaza, New York,
                                                   N.Y.  10045

     Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation         Washington, D.C.  20429

     New York Clearing House Association           New York, New York

     (B)  WHETHER IT IS AUTHORIZED TO EXERCISE CORPORATE TRUST POWERS.

     Yes.

2.   AFFILIATIONS WITH OBLIGOR.

     IF THE OBLIGOR IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE TRUSTEE, DESCRIBE EACH SUCH
     AFFILIATION.

     None.  (See Note on page 3.)

16.  LIST OF EXHIBITS.

     EXHIBITS IDENTIFIED IN PARENTHESES BELOW, ON FILE WITH THE COMMISSION, ARE
     INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE AS AN EXHIBIT HERETO, PURSUANT TO RULE 7A-
     29 UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 (THE "ACT") AND RULE 24 OF THE
     COMMISSION'S RULES OF PRACTICE.

     1.   A copy of the Organization Certificate of The Bank of New York
          (formerly Irving Trust Company) as now in effect, which contains the
          authority to commence business and a grant of powers to exercise
          corporate trust powers. (Exhibit 1 to Amendment No. 1 to Form T-1
          filed with Registration Statement No. 33-6215, Exhibits 1a and 1b to
          Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-21672 and Exhibit 1
          to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-29637.)

     4.   A copy of the existing By-laws of the Trustee.  (Exhibit 4 to Form T-1
          filed with Registration Statement No. 33-31019.)

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
     6.   The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act.
          (Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 
          33-44051.)

     7.   A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee published
          pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining
          authority.



                                     NOTE


     Inasmuch as this Form T-1 is filed prior to the ascertainment by the
Trustee of all facts on which to base a responsive answer to Item 2, the answer
to said Item is based on incomplete information.

     Item 2 may, however, be considered as correct unless amended by an
amendment to this Form T-1.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURE



     Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, the Trustee, The Bank of New York,
a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York,
has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in The City of New York, and State
of New York, on the 4th day of November, 1996.


                                         THE BANK OF NEW YORK



                                         By:     /S/STEPHEN J. GIURLANDO
                                             ---------------------------
                                            Name:  STEPHEN J. GIURLANDO
                                            Title: ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       Exhibit 7

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

                      Consolidated Report of Condition of

                             THE BANK OF NEW YORK

                    of 48 Wall Street, New York, N.Y. 10286

     And Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries, a member of the Federal Reserve
System, at the close of business March 31, 1996, published in accordance with a
call made by the Federal Reserve Bank of this District pursuant to the
provisions of the Federal Reserve Act.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            Dollar Amounts
ASSETS                                      in Thousands
<S>                                         <C>
Cash and balances due from depos-
  itory institutions:
  Noninterest-bearing balances and
  currency and coin......................     $ 2,461,550
  Interest-bearing balances..............         835,563
Securities:
  Held-to-maturity securities............         802,064
  Available-for-sale securities..........       2,051,263
Federal funds sold in domestic offices
of the bank:
Federal funds sold.......................       3,885,475
Loans and lease financing
  receivables:
  Loans and leases, net of unearned
    income ..............................      27,820,159
  LESS: Allowance for loan and
    lease losses ........................         509,817
  LESS: Allocated transfer risk
    reserve..............................           1,000
    Loans and leases, net of unearned
    income, allowance, and reserve.......      27,309,342
Assets held in trading accounts..........         837,118
Premises and fixed assets (including
  capitalized leases)....................         614,567
Other real estate owned..................          51,631
Investments in unconsolidated
  subsidiaries and associated
  companies..............................         225,158
Customers' liability to this bank on
  acceptances outstanding................         800,375
Intangible assets........................         436,668
Other assets.............................       1,247,908
                                              -----------
Total assets.............................     $41,558,682
                                              ===========

LIABILITIES
Deposits:
  In domestic offices....................     $18,851,327
  Noninterest-bearing....................       7,102,645
  Interest-bearing.......................      11,748,682
  In foreign offices, Edge and
  Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs.......      10,965,604
  Noninterest-bearing....................          37,855
  Interest-bearing.......................      10,927,749
Federal funds purchased and securities
  sold under agreements to repurchase in
  domestic offices of the bank and of its
  Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and in
  IBFs:
  Federal funds purchased................       1,224,886
  Securities sold under agreements
    to repurchase........................          29,728
Demand notes issued to the U.S.
  Treasury...............................         118,870
Trading liabilities......................         673,944
Other borrowed money:
  With original maturity of one year
    or less..............................       2,713,248
  With original maturity of more than
    one year.............................          20,780
Bank's liability on acceptances exe-
  cuted and outstanding..................         803,292
Subordinated notes and debentures........       1,022,860
Other liabilities........................       1,590,564
                                              -----------
Total liabilities........................      38,015,103
                                              -----------

EQUITY CAPITAL
Common stock.............................         942,284
Surplus..................................         525,666
Undivided profits and capital
  reserves...............................       2,078,197
Net unrealized holding gains
  (losses) on available-for-sale
  securities.............................           3,197
Cumulative foreign currency translation
  adjustments............................      (    5,765)
                                              -----------
Total equity capital.....................       3,543,579
                                              -----------
Total liabilities and equity
  capital................................     $41,558,682
                                              ===========
</TABLE>

   I, Robert E. Keilman, Senior Vice President and Comptroller of the above-
named bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has been prepared in
conformance with the instructions issued by the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System and is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

                                                            Robert E. Keilman

   We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this Report of
Condition and declare that it has been examined by us and to the best of our
knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions
issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and is true and
correct.

             
   J. Carter Bacot     }
   Thomas A. Renyi     }     Directors
   Alan R. Griffith    }
             
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 25.3

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


                                   FORM T-1

                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C.  20549

                           STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
                  UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A
                   CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

                     CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE
                     ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO
                       SECTION 305(b)(2)           |__|

                            ______________________

                              THE BANK OF NEW YORK
              (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)


New York                                                13-5160382
(State of incorporation                                 (I.R.S. employer
if not a U.S. national bank)                            identification no.)

48 Wall Street, New York, N.Y.                          10286
(Address of principal executive offices)                (Zip code)


                             ______________________


                        TCI COMMUNICATIONS FINANCING IV
              (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)


Delaware                                                84-6289178
(State or other jurisdiction of                         (I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization)                          identification no.)

Terrace Tower II
5619 DTC Parkway
Englewood, Colorado                                     80111-3000
(Address of principal executive offices)                (Zip code)

                             ______________________

                              Preferred Securities
                      (Title of the indenture securities)


================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
1.   GENERAL INFORMATION.  FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO THE TRUSTEE:

     (A)  NAME AND ADDRESS OF EACH EXAMINING OR SUPERVISING AUTHORITY TO WHICH
          IT IS SUBJECT.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Name                                        Address
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Superintendent of Banks of the State of       2 Rector Street, New York,
     New York                                      N.Y.  10006, and Albany, N.Y.
                                                   12203

     Federal Reserve Bank of New York              33 Liberty Plaza, New York,
                                                   N.Y.  10045

     Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation         Washington, D.C.  20429

     New York Clearing House Association           New York, New York

     (B)  WHETHER IT IS AUTHORIZED TO EXERCISE CORPORATE TRUST POWERS.

     Yes.

2.   AFFILIATIONS WITH OBLIGOR.

     If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such 
     affiliation.

     None.  (See Note on page 3.)

16.  LIST OF EXHIBITS.

     EXHIBITS IDENTIFIED IN PARENTHESES BELOW, ON FILE WITH THE COMMISSION, ARE
     INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE AS AN EXHIBIT HERETO, PURSUANT TO RULE 7A-
     29 UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 (THE "ACT") AND RULE 24 OF THE
     COMMISSION'S RULES OF PRACTICE.

     1.   A copy of the Organization Certificate of The Bank of New York
          (formerly Irving Trust Company) as now in effect, which contains the
          authority to commence business and a grant of powers to exercise
          corporate trust powers. (Exhibit 1 to Amendment No. 1 to Form T-1
          filed with Registration Statement No. 33-6215, Exhibits 1a and 1b to
          Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-21672 and Exhibit 1
          to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-29637.)

     4.   A copy of the existing By-laws of the Trustee.  (Exhibit 4 to Form T-1
          filed with Registration Statement No. 33-31019.)

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
     6.   The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act.
          (Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-
          44051.)

     7.   A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee published
          pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining
          authority.


                                      NOTE


     Inasmuch as this Form T-1 is filed prior to the ascertainment by the
Trustee of all facts on which to base a responsive answer to Item 2, the answer
to said Item is based on incomplete information.

     Item 2 may, however, be considered as correct unless amended by an
amendment to this Form T-1.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURE



     Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, the Trustee, The Bank of New York,
a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York,
has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in The City of New York, and State
of New York, on the 4th day of November, 1996.


                                         THE BANK OF NEW YORK

                                         By:    /S/ STEPHEN J. GIURLANDO 
                                             ------------------------------
                                             Name:  STEPHEN J. GIURLANDO
                                             Title: ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       Exhibit 7

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

                      Consolidated Report of Condition of

                             THE BANK OF NEW YORK

                    of 48 Wall Street, New York, N.Y. 10286

     And Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries, a member of the Federal Reserve
System, at the close of business March 31, 1996, published in accordance with a
call made by the Federal Reserve Bank of this District pursuant to the
provisions of the Federal Reserve Act.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            Dollar Amounts
ASSETS                                      in Thousands
<S>                                         <C>
Cash and balances due from depos-
  itory institutions:
  Noninterest-bearing balances and
  currency and coin......................     $ 2,461,550
  Interest-bearing balances..............         835,563
Securities:
  Held-to-maturity securities............         802,064
  Available-for-sale securities..........       2,051,263
Federal funds sold in domestic offices
of the bank:
Federal funds sold.......................       3,885,475
Loans and lease financing
  receivables:
  Loans and leases, net of unearned
    income ..............................      27,820,159
  LESS: Allowance for loan and
    lease losses ........................         509,817
  LESS: Allocated transfer risk
    reserve..............................           1,000
    Loans and leases, net of unearned
    income, allowance, and reserve.......      27,309,342
Assets held in trading accounts..........         837,118
Premises and fixed assets (including
  capitalized leases)....................         614,567
Other real estate owned..................          51,631
Investments in unconsolidated
  subsidiaries and associated
  companies..............................         225,158
Customers' liability to this bank on
  acceptances outstanding................         800,375
Intangible assets........................         436,668
Other assets.............................       1,247,908
                                              -----------
Total assets.............................     $41,558,682
                                              ===========

LIABILITIES
Deposits:
  In domestic offices....................     $18,851,327
  Noninterest-bearing....................       7,102,645
  Interest-bearing.......................      11,748,682
  In foreign offices, Edge and
  Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs.......      10,965,604
  Noninterest-bearing....................          37,855
  Interest-bearing.......................      10,927,749
Federal funds purchased and securities
  sold under agreements to repurchase in
  domestic offices of the bank and of its
  Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and in
  IBFs:
  Federal funds purchased................       1,224,886
  Securities sold under agreements
    to repurchase........................          29,728
Demand notes issued to the U.S.
  Treasury...............................         118,870
Trading liabilities......................         673,944
Other borrowed money:
  With original maturity of one year
    or less..............................       2,713,248
  With original maturity of more than
    one year.............................          20,780
Bank's liability on acceptances exe-
  cuted and outstanding..................         803,292
Subordinated notes and debentures........       1,022,860
Other liabilities........................       1,590,564
                                              -----------
Total liabilities........................      38,015,103
                                              -----------

EQUITY CAPITAL
Common stock.............................         942,284
Surplus..................................         525,666
Undivided profits and capital
  reserves...............................       2,078,197
Net unrealized holding gains
  (losses) on available-for-sale
  securities.............................           3,197
Cumulative foreign currency translation
  adjustments............................      (    5,765)
                                              -----------
Total equity capital.....................       3,543,579
                                              -----------
Total liabilities and equity
  capital................................     $41,558,682
                                              ===========
</TABLE>

   I, Robert E. Keilman, Senior Vice President and Comptroller of the above-
named bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has been prepared in
conformance with the instructions issued by the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System and is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

                                                            Robert E. Keilman

   We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this Report of
Condition and declare that it has been examined by us and to the best of our
knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions
issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and is true and
correct.

             
   J. Carter Bacot     }
   Thomas A. Renyi     }     Directors
   Alan R. Griffith    }
             
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 25.4

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


                                   FORM T-1

                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C.  20549

                           STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
                  UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A
                   CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

                     CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE
                     ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO
                       SECTION 305(b)(2)           [__]

                            ______________________

                             THE BANK OF NEW YORK
              (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)


New York                                                13-5160382
(State of incorporation                                 (I.R.S. employer
if not a U.S. national bank)                            identification no.)

48 Wall Street, New York, N.Y.                          10286
(Address of principal executive offices)                (Zip code)



                            ______________________


                        TCI COMMUNICATIONS FINANCING V
              (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)


Delaware                                                Applied For
(State or other jurisdiction of                         (I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization)                          identification no.)

Terrace Tower II
5619 DTC Parkway
Englewood, Colorado                                     80111-3000
(Address of principal executive offices)                (Zip code)


                            ______________________

                             Preferred Securities
                      (Title of the indenture securities)


================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
1.   GENERAL INFORMATION.  FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO THE TRUSTEE:

     (A)  NAME AND ADDRESS OF EACH EXAMINING OR SUPERVISING AUTHORITY TO WHICH
          IT IS SUBJECT.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Name                                        Address
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Superintendent of Banks of the State of       2 Rector Street, New York,
     New York                                      N.Y.  10006, and Albany, N.Y.
                                                   12203

     Federal Reserve Bank of New York              33 Liberty Plaza, New York,
                                                   N.Y.  10045

     Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation         Washington, D.C.  20429

     New York Clearing House Association           New York, New York

     (B) WHETHER IT IS AUTHORIZED TO EXERCISE CORPORATE TRUST POWERS.

     Yes.

2.   AFFILIATIONS WITH OBLIGOR.

     IF THE OBLIGOR IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE TRUSTEE, DESCRIBE EACH SUCH
     AFFILIATION.

     None.  (See Note on page 3.)

16.  LIST OF EXHIBITS.

     EXHIBITS IDENTIFIED IN PARENTHESES BELOW, ON FILE WITH THE COMMISSION, ARE
     INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE AS AN EXHIBIT HERETO, PURSUANT TO RULE 7A-
     29 UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 (THE "ACT") AND RULE 24 OF THE
     COMMISSION'S RULES OF PRACTICE.

     1.   A copy of the Organization Certificate of The Bank of New York
          (formerly Irving Trust Company) as now in effect, which contains the
          authority to commence business and a grant of powers to exercise
          corporate trust powers. (Exhibit 1 to Amendment No. 1 to Form T-1
          filed with Registration Statement No. 33-6215, Exhibits 1a and 1b to
          Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-21672 and Exhibit 1
          to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-29637.)

     4.   A copy of the existing By-laws of the Trustee.  (Exhibit 4 to Form T-1
          filed with Registration Statement No. 33-31019.)

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
     6.   The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act.
          (Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-
          44051.)

     7.   A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee published
          pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining
          authority.



                                     NOTE


     Inasmuch as this Form T-1 is filed prior to the ascertainment by the
Trustee of all facts on which to base a responsive answer to Item 2, the answer
to said Item is based on incomplete information.

     Item 2 may, however, be considered as correct unless amended by an
amendment to this Form T-1.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURE



     Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, the Trustee, The Bank of New York,
a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York,
has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in The City of New York, and State
of New York, on the 4th day of November, 1996.


                                         THE BANK OF NEW YORK



                                         By: /S/ WALTER N. GITLIN
                                             -------------------------
                                             NAME:  WALTER N. GITLIN
                                             TITLE: VICE PRESIDENT

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       Exhibit 7

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

                      Consolidated Report of Condition of

                             THE BANK OF NEW YORK

                    of 48 Wall Street, New York, N.Y. 10286

     And Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries, a member of the Federal Reserve
System, at the close of business March 31, 1996, published in accordance with a
call made by the Federal Reserve Bank of this District pursuant to the
provisions of the Federal Reserve Act.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            Dollar Amounts
ASSETS                                      in Thousands
<S>                                         <C>
Cash and balances due from depos-
  itory institutions:
  Noninterest-bearing balances and
  currency and coin......................     $ 2,461,550
  Interest-bearing balances..............         835,563
Securities:
  Held-to-maturity securities............         802,064
  Available-for-sale securities..........       2,051,263
Federal funds sold in domestic offices
of the bank:
Federal funds sold.......................       3,885,475
Loans and lease financing
  receivables:
  Loans and leases, net of unearned
    income ..............................      27,820,159
  LESS: Allowance for loan and
    lease losses ........................         509,817
  LESS: Allocated transfer risk
    reserve..............................           1,000
    Loans and leases, net of unearned
    income, allowance, and reserve.......      27,309,342
Assets held in trading accounts..........         837,118
Premises and fixed assets (including
  capitalized leases)....................         614,567
Other real estate owned..................          51,631
Investments in unconsolidated
  subsidiaries and associated
  companies..............................         225,158
Customers' liability to this bank on
  acceptances outstanding................         800,375
Intangible assets........................         436,668
Other assets.............................       1,247,908
                                              -----------
Total assets.............................     $41,558,682
                                              ===========

LIABILITIES
Deposits:
  In domestic offices....................     $18,851,327
  Noninterest-bearing....................       7,102,645
  Interest-bearing.......................      11,748,682
  In foreign offices, Edge and
  Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs.......      10,965,604
  Noninterest-bearing....................          37,855
  Interest-bearing.......................      10,927,749
Federal funds purchased and securities
  sold under agreements to repurchase in
  domestic offices of the bank and of its
  Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and in
  IBFs:
  Federal funds purchased................       1,224,886
  Securities sold under agreements
    to repurchase........................          29,728
Demand notes issued to the U.S.
  Treasury...............................         118,870
Trading liabilities......................         673,944
Other borrowed money:
  With original maturity of one year
    or less..............................       2,713,248
  With original maturity of more than
    one year.............................          20,780
Bank's liability on acceptances exe-
  cuted and outstanding..................         803,292
Subordinated notes and debentures........       1,022,860
Other liabilities........................       1,590,564
                                              -----------
Total liabilities........................      38,015,103
                                              -----------

EQUITY CAPITAL
Common stock.............................         942,284
Surplus..................................         525,666
Undivided profits and capital
  reserves...............................       2,078,197
Net unrealized holding gains
  (losses) on available-for-sale
  securities.............................           3,197
Cumulative foreign currency translation
  adjustments............................      (    5,765)
                                              -----------
Total equity capital.....................       3,543,579
                                              -----------
Total liabilities and equity
  capital................................     $41,558,682
                                              ===========
</TABLE>

   I, Robert E. Keilman, Senior Vice President and Comptroller of the above-
named bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has been prepared in
conformance with the instructions issued by the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System and is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

                                                            Robert E. Keilman

   We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this Report of
Condition and declare that it has been examined by us and to the best of our
knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions
issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and is true and
correct.

             
   J. Carter Bacot     }
   Thomas A. Renyi     }     Directors
   Alan R. Griffith    }
             
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 25.5


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


                                   FORM T-1

                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C.  20549

                           STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
                  UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A
                   CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

                     CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE
                     ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO
                       SECTION 305(b)(2)           |__|

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

                             THE BANK OF NEW YORK
              (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)


New York                                                13-5160382
(State of incorporation                                 (I.R.S. employer
if not a U.S. national bank)                            identification no.)

48 Wall Street, New York, N.Y.                          10286
(Address of principal executive offices)                (Zip code)


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


                        TCI COMMUNICATIONS FINANCING VI
              (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)


Delaware                                                Applied For
(State or other jurisdiction of                         (I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization)                          identification no.)

Terrace Tower II
5619 DTC Parkway
Englewood, Colorado                                     80111-3000
(Address of principal executive offices)                (Zip code)

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

                              Preferred Securities
                      (Title of the indenture securities)


================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
1.   GENERAL INFORMATION.  FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO THE TRUSTEE:

     (A) NAME AND ADDRESS OF EACH EXAMINING OR SUPERVISING AUTHORITY TO WHICH IT
         IS SUBJECT.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Name                                        Address
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Superintendent of Banks of the State of       2 Rector Street, New York,
     New York                                      N.Y.  10006, and Albany, N.Y.
                                                   12203

     Federal Reserve Bank of New York              33 Liberty Plaza, New York,
                                                   N.Y.  10045

     Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation         Washington, D.C.  20429

     New York Clearing House Association           New York, New York

     (B) WHETHER IT IS AUTHORIZED TO EXERCISE CORPORATE TRUST POWERS.

     Yes.

2.   AFFILIATIONS WITH OBLIGOR.

     IF THE OBLIGOR IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE TRUSTEE, DESCRIBE EACH SUCH
     AFFILIATION.

     None.  (See Note on page 3.)

16.  LIST OF EXHIBITS.

     EXHIBITS IDENTIFIED IN PARENTHESES BELOW, ON FILE WITH THE COMMISSION, ARE
     INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE AS AN EXHIBIT HERETO, PURSUANT TO RULE 7A-
     29 UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 (THE "ACT") AND RULE 24 OF THE
     COMMISSION'S RULES OF PRACTICE.

     1. A copy of the Organization Certificate of The Bank of New York (formerly
        Irving Trust Company) as now in effect, which contains the authority to
        commence business and a grant of powers to exercise corporate trust
        powers. (Exhibit 1 to Amendment No. 1 to Form T-1 filed with
        Registration Statement No. 33-6215, Exhibits 1a and 1b to Form T-1 filed
        with Registration Statement No. 33-21672 and Exhibit 1 to Form T-1 filed
        with Registration Statement No. 33-29637.)

     4. A copy of the existing By-laws of the Trustee.  (Exhibit 4 to Form T-1
        filed with Registration Statement No. 33-31019.)

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
     6. The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act.
        (Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-44051.)

     7. A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee published
        pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining
        authority.



                                      NOTE


     Inasmuch as this Form T-1 is filed prior to the ascertainment by the
Trustee of all facts on which to base a responsive answer to Item 2, the answer
to said Item is based on incomplete information.

     Item 2 may, however, be considered as correct unless amended by an
amendment to this Form T-1.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURE



     Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, the Trustee, The Bank of New York,
a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York,
has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in The City of New York, and State
of New York, on the 4th day of November, 1996.


                                         THE BANK OF NEW YORK



                                         By:  /S/WALTER N. GILTIN
                                            -------------------------
                                            Name:  WALTER N. GITLIN
                                            Title: VICE PRESIDENT

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       Exhibit 7

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

                      Consolidated Report of Condition of

                             THE BANK OF NEW YORK

                    of 48 Wall Street, New York, N.Y. 10286

     And Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries, a member of the Federal Reserve
System, at the close of business March 31, 1996, published in accordance with a
call made by the Federal Reserve Bank of this District pursuant to the
provisions of the Federal Reserve Act.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            Dollar Amounts
ASSETS                                      in Thousands
<S>                                         <C>
Cash and balances due from depos-
  itory institutions:
  Noninterest-bearing balances and
  currency and coin......................     $ 2,461,550
  Interest-bearing balances..............         835,563
Securities:
  Held-to-maturity securities............         802,064
  Available-for-sale securities..........       2,051,263
Federal funds sold in domestic offices
of the bank:
Federal funds sold.......................       3,885,475
Loans and lease financing
  receivables:
  Loans and leases, net of unearned
    income ..............................      27,820,159
  LESS: Allowance for loan and
    lease losses ........................         509,817
  LESS: Allocated transfer risk
    reserve..............................           1,000
    Loans and leases, net of unearned
    income, allowance, and reserve.......      27,309,342
Assets held in trading accounts..........         837,118
Premises and fixed assets (including
  capitalized leases)....................         614,567
Other real estate owned..................          51,631
Investments in unconsolidated
  subsidiaries and associated
  companies..............................         225,158
Customers' liability to this bank on
  acceptances outstanding................         800,375
Intangible assets........................         436,668
Other assets.............................       1,247,908
                                              -----------
Total assets.............................     $41,558,682
                                              ===========

LIABILITIES
Deposits:
  In domestic offices....................     $18,851,327
  Noninterest-bearing....................       7,102,645
  Interest-bearing.......................      11,748,682
  In foreign offices, Edge and
  Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs.......      10,965,604
  Noninterest-bearing....................          37,855
  Interest-bearing.......................      10,927,749
Federal funds purchased and securities
  sold under agreements to repurchase in
  domestic offices of the bank and of its
  Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and in
  IBFs:
  Federal funds purchased................       1,224,886
  Securities sold under agreements
    to repurchase........................          29,728
Demand notes issued to the U.S.
  Treasury...............................         118,870
Trading liabilities......................         673,944
Other borrowed money:
  With original maturity of one year
    or less..............................       2,713,248
  With original maturity of more than
    one year.............................          20,780
Bank's liability on acceptances exe-
  cuted and outstanding..................         803,292
Subordinated notes and debentures........       1,022,860
Other liabilities........................       1,590,564
                                              -----------
Total liabilities........................      38,015,103
                                              -----------

EQUITY CAPITAL
Common stock.............................         942,284
Surplus..................................         525,666
Undivided profits and capital
  reserves...............................       2,078,197
Net unrealized holding gains
  (losses) on available-for-sale
  securities.............................           3,197
Cumulative foreign currency translation
  adjustments............................      (    5,765)
                                              -----------
Total equity capital.....................       3,543,579
                                              -----------
Total liabilities and equity
  capital................................     $41,558,682
                                              ===========
</TABLE>

   I, Robert E. Keilman, Senior Vice President and Comptroller of the above-
named bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has been prepared in
conformance with the instructions issued by the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System and is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

                                                            Robert E. Keilman

   We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this Report of
Condition and declare that it has been examined by us and to the best of our
knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions
issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and is true and
correct.

             
   J. Carter Bacot     }
   Thomas A. Renyi     }     Directors
   Alan R. Griffith    }
             
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 25.6

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


                                    FORM T-1

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C.  20549

                            STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
                   UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A
                    CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

                      CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE
                      ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO
                        SECTION 305(b)(2)           |__|

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

                              THE BANK OF NEW YORK
              (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)


New York                                                13-5160382
(State of incorporation                                 (I.R.S. employer
if not a U.S. national bank)                            identification no.)

48 Wall Street, New York, N.Y.                          10286
(Address of principal executive offices)                (Zip code)


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


                            TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
              (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)


Delaware                                                84-0588868
(State or other jurisdiction of                         (I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization)                          identification no.)

Terrace Tower II
5619 DTC Parkway
Englewood, Colorado                                     80111-3000
(Address of principal executive offices)                (Zip code)

                             ______________________

                      Guarantee of Preferred Securities of
                        TCI Communications Financing III
                      (Title of the indenture securities)


================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
1.   GENERAL INFORMATION.  FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO THE TRUSTEE:

     (A)  NAME AND ADDRESS OF EACH EXAMINING OR SUPERVISING AUTHORITY TO WHICH
          IT IS SUBJECT.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Name                                        Address
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Superintendent of Banks of the State of       2 Rector Street, New York,
     New York                                      N.Y.  10006, and Albany, N.Y.
                                                   12203

     Federal Reserve Bank of New York              33 Liberty Plaza, New York,
                                                   N.Y.  10045

     Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation         Washington, D.C.  20429

     New York Clearing House Association           New York, New York

     (B) WHETHER IT IS AUTHORIZED TO EXERCISE CORPORATE TRUST POWERS.

     Yes.

2.   AFFILIATIONS WITH OBLIGOR.

     IF THE OBLIGOR IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE TRUSTEE, DESCRIBE EACH SUCH
     AFFILIATION.

     None.  (See Note on page 3.)

16.  LIST OF EXHIBITS.

     EXHIBITS IDENTIFIED IN PARENTHESES BELOW, ON FILE WITH THE COMMISSION, ARE
     INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE AS AN EXHIBIT HERETO, PURSUANT TO RULE 7A-
     29 UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 (THE "ACT") AND RULE 24 OF THE
     COMMISSION'S RULES OF PRACTICE.

     1.   A copy of the Organization Certificate of The Bank of New York
          (formerly Irving Trust Company) as now in effect, which contains the
          authority to commence business and a grant of powers to exercise
          corporate trust powers. (Exhibit 1 to Amendment No. 1 to Form T-1
          filed with Registration Statement No. 33-6215, Exhibits 1a and 1b to
          Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-21672 and Exhibit 1
          to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-29637.)

     4.   A copy of the existing By-laws of the Trustee.  (Exhibit 4 to Form T-1
          filed with Registration Statement No. 33-31019.)

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
     6.   The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act.
          (Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-
          44051.)

     7.   A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee published
          pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining
          authority.


                                      NOTE


     Inasmuch as this Form T-1 is filed prior to the ascertainment by the
Trustee of all facts on which to base a responsive answer to Item 2, the answer
to said Item is based on incomplete information.

     Item 2 may, however, be considered as correct unless amended by an
amendment to this Form T-1.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURE



     Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, the Trustee, The Bank of New York,
a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York,
has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in The City of New York, and State
of New York, on the 4th day of November, 1996.


                                         THE BANK OF NEW YORK



                                         By:     /S/WALTER N. GILTIN  
                                            --------------------------
                                            Name:  WALTER N. GITLIN 
                                            Title: VICE PRESIDENT

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       Exhibit 7

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

                      Consolidated Report of Condition of

                             THE BANK OF NEW YORK

                    of 48 Wall Street, New York, N.Y. 10286

     And Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries, a member of the Federal Reserve
System, at the close of business March 31, 1996, published in accordance with a
call made by the Federal Reserve Bank of this District pursuant to the
provisions of the Federal Reserve Act.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            Dollar Amounts
ASSETS                                      in Thousands
<S>                                         <C>
Cash and balances due from depos-
  itory institutions:
  Noninterest-bearing balances and
  currency and coin......................     $ 2,461,550
  Interest-bearing balances..............         835,563
Securities:
  Held-to-maturity securities............         802,064
  Available-for-sale securities..........       2,051,263
Federal funds sold in domestic offices
of the bank:
Federal funds sold.......................       3,885,475
Loans and lease financing
  receivables:
  Loans and leases, net of unearned
    income ..............................      27,820,159
  LESS: Allowance for loan and
    lease losses ........................         509,817
  LESS: Allocated transfer risk
    reserve..............................           1,000
    Loans and leases, net of unearned
    income, allowance, and reserve.......      27,309,342
Assets held in trading accounts..........         837,118
Premises and fixed assets (including
  capitalized leases)....................         614,567
Other real estate owned..................          51,631
Investments in unconsolidated
  subsidiaries and associated
  companies..............................         225,158
Customers' liability to this bank on
  acceptances outstanding................         800,375
Intangible assets........................         436,668
Other assets.............................       1,247,908
                                              -----------
Total assets.............................     $41,558,682
                                              ===========

LIABILITIES
Deposits:
  In domestic offices....................     $18,851,327
  Noninterest-bearing....................       7,102,645
  Interest-bearing.......................      11,748,682
  In foreign offices, Edge and
  Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs.......      10,965,604
  Noninterest-bearing....................          37,855
  Interest-bearing.......................      10,927,749
Federal funds purchased and securities
  sold under agreements to repurchase in
  domestic offices of the bank and of its
  Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and in
  IBFs:
  Federal funds purchased................       1,224,886
  Securities sold under agreements
    to repurchase........................          29,728
Demand notes issued to the U.S.
  Treasury...............................         118,870
Trading liabilities......................         673,944
Other borrowed money:
  With original maturity of one year
    or less..............................       2,713,248
  With original maturity of more than
    one year.............................          20,780
Bank's liability on acceptances exe-
  cuted and outstanding..................         803,292
Subordinated notes and debentures........       1,022,860
Other liabilities........................       1,590,564
                                              -----------
Total liabilities........................      38,015,103
                                              -----------

EQUITY CAPITAL
Common stock.............................         942,284
Surplus..................................         525,666
Undivided profits and capital
  reserves...............................       2,078,197
Net unrealized holding gains
  (losses) on available-for-sale
  securities.............................           3,197
Cumulative foreign currency translation
  adjustments............................      (    5,765)
                                              -----------
Total equity capital.....................       3,543,579
                                              -----------
Total liabilities and equity
  capital................................     $41,558,682
                                              ===========
</TABLE>

   I, Robert E. Keilman, Senior Vice President and Comptroller of the above-
named bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has been prepared in
conformance with the instructions issued by the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System and is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

                                                            Robert E. Keilman

   We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this Report of
Condition and declare that it has been examined by us and to the best of our
knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions
issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and is true and
correct.

             
   J. Carter Bacot     }
   Thomas A. Renyi     }     Directors
   Alan R. Griffith    }
             
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 25.7

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


                                   FORM T-1

                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C.  20549

                           STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
                  UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A
                   CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

                     CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE
                     ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO
                       SECTION 305(b)(2)           |__|

                            ______________________

                             THE BANK OF NEW YORK
              (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)


New York                                                13-5160382
(State of incorporation                                 (I.R.S. employer
if not a U.S. national bank)                            identification no.)

48 Wall Street, New York, N.Y.                          10286
(Address of principal executive offices)                (Zip code)


                            ______________________


                           TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
              (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)


Delaware                                                84-0588868
(State or other jurisdiction of                         (I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization)                          identification no.)

Terrace Tower II
5619 DTC Parkway
Englewood, Colorado                                     80111-3000
(Address of principal executive offices)                (Zip code)

                            ______________________

                     Guarantee of Preferred Securities of
                        TCI Communications Financing IV
                      (Title of the indenture securities)


================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
1.   GENERAL INFORMATION.  FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO THE TRUSTEE:

     (A)  NAME AND ADDRESS OF EACH EXAMINING OR SUPERVISING AUTHORITY TO WHICH
          IT IS SUBJECT.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Name                                        Address
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Superintendent of Banks of the State of       2 Rector Street, New York,
     New York                                      N.Y.  10006, and Albany, N.Y.
                                                   12203

     Federal Reserve Bank of New York              33 Liberty Plaza, New York,
                                                   N.Y.  10045

     Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation         Washington, D.C.  20429

     New York Clearing House Association           New York, New York

     (B)  WHETHER IT IS AUTHORIZED TO EXERCISE CORPORATE TRUST POWERS.

     Yes.

2.   AFFILIATIONS WITH OBLIGOR.

     IF THE OBLIGOR IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE TRUSTEE, DESCRIBE EACH SUCH
     AFFILIATION.

     None.  (See Note on page 3.)

16.  LIST OF EXHIBITS.

     EXHIBITS IDENTIFIED IN PARENTHESES BELOW, ON FILE WITH THE COMMISSION, ARE
     INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE AS AN EXHIBIT HERETO, PURSUANT TO RULE 7A-
     29 UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 (THE "ACT") AND RULE 24 OF THE
     COMMISSION'S RULES OF PRACTICE.

     1.   A copy of the Organization Certificate of The Bank of New York
          (formerly Irving Trust Company) as now in effect, which contains the
          authority to commence business and a grant of powers to exercise
          corporate trust powers. (Exhibit 1 to Amendment No. 1 to Form T-1
          filed with Registration Statement No. 33-6215, Exhibits 1a and 1b to
          Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-21672 and Exhibit 1
          to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-29637.)

     4.   A copy of the existing By-laws of the Trustee.  (Exhibit 4 to Form T-1
          filed with Registration Statement No. 33-31019.)

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
     6.   The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act.
          (Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 
          33-44051.)

     7.   A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee published
          pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining
          authority.



                                     NOTE


     Inasmuch as this Form T-1 is filed prior to the ascertainment by the
Trustee of all facts on which to base a responsive answer to Item 2, the answer
to said Item is based on incomplete information.

     Item 2 may, however, be considered as correct unless amended by an
amendment to this Form T-1.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURE



     Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, the Trustee, The Bank of New York,
a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York,
has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in The City of New York, and State
of New York, on the 4th day of November, 1996.


                                         THE BANK OF NEW YORK



                                         By: /S/PAUL J. SCHMALZEL
                                            --------------------------
                                            Name:  PAUL J. SCHMALZEL
                                            Title: ASSISTANT TREASURER

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       Exhibit 7

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

                      Consolidated Report of Condition of

                             THE BANK OF NEW YORK

                    of 48 Wall Street, New York, N.Y. 10286

     And Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries, a member of the Federal Reserve
System, at the close of business March 31, 1996, published in accordance with a
call made by the Federal Reserve Bank of this District pursuant to the
provisions of the Federal Reserve Act.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            Dollar Amounts
ASSETS                                      in Thousands
<S>                                         <C>
Cash and balances due from depos-
  itory institutions:
  Noninterest-bearing balances and
  currency and coin......................     $ 2,461,550
  Interest-bearing balances..............         835,563
Securities:
  Held-to-maturity securities............         802,064
  Available-for-sale securities..........       2,051,263
Federal funds sold in domestic offices
of the bank:
Federal funds sold.......................       3,885,475
Loans and lease financing
  receivables:
  Loans and leases, net of unearned
    income ..............................      27,820,159
  LESS: Allowance for loan and
    lease losses ........................         509,817
  LESS: Allocated transfer risk
    reserve..............................           1,000
    Loans and leases, net of unearned
    income, allowance, and reserve.......      27,309,342
Assets held in trading accounts..........         837,118
Premises and fixed assets (including
  capitalized leases)....................         614,567
Other real estate owned..................          51,631
Investments in unconsolidated
  subsidiaries and associated
  companies..............................         225,158
Customers' liability to this bank on
  acceptances outstanding................         800,375
Intangible assets........................         436,668
Other assets.............................       1,247,908
                                              -----------
Total assets.............................     $41,558,682
                                              ===========

LIABILITIES
Deposits:
  In domestic offices....................     $18,851,327
  Noninterest-bearing....................       7,102,645
  Interest-bearing.......................      11,748,682
  In foreign offices, Edge and
  Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs.......      10,965,604
  Noninterest-bearing....................          37,855
  Interest-bearing.......................      10,927,749
Federal funds purchased and securities
  sold under agreements to repurchase in
  domestic offices of the bank and of its
  Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and in
  IBFs:
  Federal funds purchased................       1,224,886
  Securities sold under agreements
    to repurchase........................          29,728
Demand notes issued to the U.S.
  Treasury...............................         118,870
Trading liabilities......................         673,944
Other borrowed money:
  With original maturity of one year
    or less..............................       2,713,248
  With original maturity of more than
    one year.............................          20,780
Bank's liability on acceptances exe-
  cuted and outstanding..................         803,292
Subordinated notes and debentures........       1,022,860
Other liabilities........................       1,590,564
                                              -----------
Total liabilities........................      38,015,103
                                              -----------

EQUITY CAPITAL
Common stock.............................         942,284
Surplus..................................         525,666
Undivided profits and capital
  reserves...............................       2,078,197
Net unrealized holding gains
  (losses) on available-for-sale
  securities.............................           3,197
Cumulative foreign currency translation
  adjustments............................      (    5,765)
                                              -----------
Total equity capital.....................       3,543,579
                                              -----------
Total liabilities and equity
  capital................................     $41,558,682
                                              ===========
</TABLE>

   I, Robert E. Keilman, Senior Vice President and Comptroller of the above-
named bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has been prepared in
conformance with the instructions issued by the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System and is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

                                                            Robert E. Keilman

   We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this Report of
Condition and declare that it has been examined by us and to the best of our
knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions
issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and is true and
correct.

             
   J. Carter Bacot     }
   Thomas A. Renyi     }     Directors
   Alan R. Griffith    }
             
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 25.8

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


                                    FORM T-1

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C.  20549

                            STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
                   UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A
                    CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

                      CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE
                      ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO
                        SECTION 305(b)(2)           |__|

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

                              THE BANK OF NEW YORK
              (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)


New York                                                13-5160382
(State of incorporation                                 (I.R.S. employer
if not a U.S. national bank)                            identification no.)

48 Wall Street, New York, N.Y.                          10286
(Address of principal executive offices)                (Zip code)


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


                            TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
              (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)


Delaware                                                84-0588868
(State or other jurisdiction of                         (I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization)                          identification no.)

Terrace Tower II
5619 DTC Parkway
Englewood, Colorado                                     80111-3000
(Address of principal executive offices)                (Zip code)

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

                      Guarantee of Preferred Securities of
                         TCI Communications Financing V
                      (Title of the indenture securities)


================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
1.   GENERAL INFORMATION.  FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO THE TRUSTEE:

     (A) NAME AND ADDRESS OF EACH EXAMINING OR SUPERVISING AUTHORITY TO WHICH IT
         IS SUBJECT.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Name                                        Address
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Superintendent of Banks of the State of       2 Rector Street, New York,
     New York                                      N.Y.  10006, and Albany, N.Y.
                                                   12203

     Federal Reserve Bank of New York              33 Liberty Plaza, New York,
                                                   N.Y.  10045

     Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation         Washington, D.C.  20429

     New York Clearing House Association           New York, New York

     (B) WHETHER IT IS AUTHORIZED TO EXERCISE CORPORATE TRUST POWERS.

     Yes.

2.   AFFILIATIONS WITH OBLIGOR.

     IF THE OBLIGOR IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE TRUSTEE, DESCRIBE EACH SUCH
     AFFILIATION.

     None.  (See Note on page 3.)

16.  LIST OF EXHIBITS.

     EXHIBITS IDENTIFIED IN PARENTHESES BELOW, ON FILE WITH THE COMMISSION, ARE
     INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE AS AN EXHIBIT HERETO, PURSUANT TO RULE 7A-
     29 UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 (THE "ACT") AND RULE 24 OF THE
     COMMISSION'S RULES OF PRACTICE.

     1.  A copy of the Organization Certificate of The Bank of New York
         (formerly Irving Trust Company) as now in effect, which contains the
         authority to commence business and a grant of powers to exercise
         corporate trust powers. (Exhibit 1 to Amendment No. 1 to Form T-1 filed
         with Registration Statement No. 33-6215, Exhibits 1a and 1b to Form T-1
         filed with Registration Statement No. 33-21672 and Exhibit 1 to Form T-
         1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-29637.)

     4.  A copy of the existing By-laws of the Trustee.  (Exhibit 4 to Form T-1
         filed with Registration Statement No. 33-31019.)

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
     6.  The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act.
         (Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-44051.)

     7.  A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee published
         pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining
         authority.



                                      NOTE


     Inasmuch as this Form T-1 is filed prior to the ascertainment by the
Trustee of all facts on which to base a responsive answer to Item 2, the answer
to said Item is based on incomplete information.

     Item 2 may, however, be considered as correct unless amended by an
amendment to this Form T-1.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURE



     Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, the Trustee, The Bank of New York,
a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York,
has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in The City of New York, and State
of New York, on the 4th day of November, 1996.


                                         THE BANK OF NEW YORK



                                         By:  /S/PAUL J. SCHMALZEL
                                            -------------------------
                                            Name:  PAUL J. SCHMALZEL
                                            Title: ASSISTANT TREASURER

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       Exhibit 7

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

                      Consolidated Report of Condition of

                             THE BANK OF NEW YORK

                    of 48 Wall Street, New York, N.Y. 10286

     And Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries, a member of the Federal Reserve
System, at the close of business March 31, 1996, published in accordance with a
call made by the Federal Reserve Bank of this District pursuant to the
provisions of the Federal Reserve Act.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            Dollar Amounts
ASSETS                                      in Thousands
<S>                                         <C>
Cash and balances due from depos-
  itory institutions:
  Noninterest-bearing balances and
  currency and coin......................     $ 2,461,550
  Interest-bearing balances..............         835,563
Securities:
  Held-to-maturity securities............         802,064
  Available-for-sale securities..........       2,051,263
Federal funds sold in domestic offices
of the bank:
Federal funds sold.......................       3,885,475
Loans and lease financing
  receivables:
  Loans and leases, net of unearned
    income ..............................      27,820,159
  LESS: Allowance for loan and
    lease losses ........................         509,817
  LESS: Allocated transfer risk
    reserve..............................           1,000
    Loans and leases, net of unearned
    income, allowance, and reserve.......      27,309,342
Assets held in trading accounts..........         837,118
Premises and fixed assets (including
  capitalized leases)....................         614,567
Other real estate owned..................          51,631
Investments in unconsolidated
  subsidiaries and associated
  companies..............................         225,158
Customers' liability to this bank on
  acceptances outstanding................         800,375
Intangible assets........................         436,668
Other assets.............................       1,247,908
                                              -----------
Total assets.............................     $41,558,682
                                              ===========

LIABILITIES
Deposits:
  In domestic offices....................     $18,851,327
  Noninterest-bearing....................       7,102,645
  Interest-bearing.......................      11,748,682
  In foreign offices, Edge and
  Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs.......      10,965,604
  Noninterest-bearing....................          37,855
  Interest-bearing.......................      10,927,749
Federal funds purchased and securities
  sold under agreements to repurchase in
  domestic offices of the bank and of its
  Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and in
  IBFs:
  Federal funds purchased................       1,224,886
  Securities sold under agreements
    to repurchase........................          29,728
Demand notes issued to the U.S.
  Treasury...............................         118,870
Trading liabilities......................         673,944
Other borrowed money:
  With original maturity of one year
    or less..............................       2,713,248
  With original maturity of more than
    one year.............................          20,780
Bank's liability on acceptances exe-
  cuted and outstanding..................         803,292
Subordinated notes and debentures........       1,022,860
Other liabilities........................       1,590,564
                                              -----------
Total liabilities........................      38,015,103
                                              -----------

EQUITY CAPITAL
Common stock.............................         942,284
Surplus..................................         525,666
Undivided profits and capital
  reserves...............................       2,078,197
Net unrealized holding gains
  (losses) on available-for-sale
  securities.............................           3,197
Cumulative foreign currency translation
  adjustments............................      (    5,765)
                                              -----------
Total equity capital.....................       3,543,579
                                              -----------
Total liabilities and equity
  capital................................     $41,558,682
                                              ===========
</TABLE>

   I, Robert E. Keilman, Senior Vice President and Comptroller of the above-
named bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has been prepared in
conformance with the instructions issued by the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System and is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

                                                            Robert E. Keilman

   We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this Report of
Condition and declare that it has been examined by us and to the best of our
knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions
issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and is true and
correct.

             
   J. Carter Bacot     }
   Thomas A. Renyi     }     Directors
   Alan R. Griffith    }
             
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 25.9

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


                                    FORM T-1

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C.  20549

                            STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
                   UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A
                    CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

                      CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE
                      ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO
                        SECTION 305(b)(2)           |__|

                             ______________________

                              THE BANK OF NEW YORK
              (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)


New York                                                13-5160382
(State of incorporation                                 (I.R.S. employer
if not a U.S. national bank)                            identification no.)

48 Wall Street, New York, N.Y.                          10286
(Address of principal executive offices)                (Zip code)


                             ______________________


                            TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
              (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)


Delaware                                                84-0588868
(State or other jurisdiction of                         (I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization)                          identification no.)

Terrace Tower II
5619 DTC Parkway
Englewood, Colorado                                     80111-3000
(Address of principal executive offices)                (Zip code)

                             ______________________

                      Guarantee of Preferred Securities of
                        TCI Communications Financing VI
                      (Title of the indenture securities)


================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
1.   GENERAL INFORMATION.  FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO THE TRUSTEE:

     (A)  NAME AND ADDRESS OF EACH EXAMINING OR SUPERVISING AUTHORITY TO WHICH
          IT IS SUBJECT.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Name                                        Address
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Superintendent of Banks of the State of       2 Rector Street, New York,
     New York                                      N.Y.  10006, and Albany, N.Y.
          12203

     Federal Reserve Bank of New York              33 Liberty Plaza, New York,
                                                   N.Y.  10045

     Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation         Washington, D.C.  20429

     New York Clearing House Association           New York, New York

     (B) WHETHER IT IS AUTHORIZED TO EXERCISE CORPORATE TRUST POWERS.

     Yes.

2.   AFFILIATIONS WITH OBLIGOR.

     IF THE OBLIGOR IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE TRUSTEE, DESCRIBE EACH SUCH
     AFFILIATION.

     None.  (See Note on page 3.)

16.  LIST OF EXHIBITS.

     EXHIBITS IDENTIFIED IN PARENTHESES BELOW, ON FILE WITH THE COMMISSION, ARE
     INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE AS AN EXHIBIT HERETO, PURSUANT TO RULE 7A-
     29 UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 (THE "ACT") AND RULE 24 OF THE
     COMMISSION'S RULES OF PRACTICE.

     1.   A copy of the Organization Certificate of The Bank of New York
          (formerly Irving Trust Company) as now in effect, which contains the
          authority to commence business and a grant of powers to exercise
          corporate trust powers. (Exhibit 1 to Amendment No. 1 to Form T-1
          filed with Registration Statement No. 33-6215, Exhibits 1a and 1b to
          Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-21672 and Exhibit 1
          to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-29637.)

     4.   A copy of the existing By-laws of the Trustee.  (Exhibit 4 to Form T-1
          filed with Registration Statement No. 33-31019.)

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
     6.   The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act.
          (Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-
          44051.)

     7.   A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee published
          pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining
          authority.



                                      NOTE


     Inasmuch as this Form T-1 is filed prior to the ascertainment by the
Trustee of all facts on which to base a responsive answer to Item 2, the answer
to said Item is based on incomplete information.

     Item 2 may, however, be considered as correct unless amended by an
amendment to this Form T-1.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURE



     Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, the Trustee, The Bank of New York,
a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York,
has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in The City of New York, and State
of New York, on the 4th day of November, 1996.


                                         THE BANK OF NEW YORK



                                         By:    /S/ PAUL J. SCHMALZEL
                                             ---------------------------
                                             Name:  PAUL J. SCHMALZEL
                                             Title: ASSISTANT TREASURER

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       Exhibit 7

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

                      Consolidated Report of Condition of

                             THE BANK OF NEW YORK

                    of 48 Wall Street, New York, N.Y. 10286

     And Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries, a member of the Federal Reserve
System, at the close of business March 31, 1996, published in accordance with a
call made by the Federal Reserve Bank of this District pursuant to the
provisions of the Federal Reserve Act.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            Dollar Amounts
ASSETS                                      in Thousands
<S>                                         <C>
Cash and balances due from depos-
  itory institutions:
  Noninterest-bearing balances and
  currency and coin......................     $ 2,461,550
  Interest-bearing balances..............         835,563
Securities:
  Held-to-maturity securities............         802,064
  Available-for-sale securities..........       2,051,263
Federal funds sold in domestic offices
of the bank:
Federal funds sold.......................       3,885,475
Loans and lease financing
  receivables:
  Loans and leases, net of unearned
    income ..............................      27,820,159
  LESS: Allowance for loan and
    lease losses ........................         509,817
  LESS: Allocated transfer risk
    reserve..............................           1,000
    Loans and leases, net of unearned
    income, allowance, and reserve.......      27,309,342
Assets held in trading accounts..........         837,118
Premises and fixed assets (including
  capitalized leases)....................         614,567
Other real estate owned..................          51,631
Investments in unconsolidated
  subsidiaries and associated
  companies..............................         225,158
Customers' liability to this bank on
  acceptances outstanding................         800,375
Intangible assets........................         436,668
Other assets.............................       1,247,908
                                              -----------
Total assets.............................     $41,558,682
                                              ===========

LIABILITIES
Deposits:
  In domestic offices....................     $18,851,327
  Noninterest-bearing....................       7,102,645
  Interest-bearing.......................      11,748,682
  In foreign offices, Edge and
  Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs.......      10,965,604
  Noninterest-bearing....................          37,855
  Interest-bearing.......................      10,927,749
Federal funds purchased and securities
  sold under agreements to repurchase in
  domestic offices of the bank and of its
  Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and in
  IBFs:
  Federal funds purchased................       1,224,886
  Securities sold under agreements
    to repurchase........................          29,728
Demand notes issued to the U.S.
  Treasury...............................         118,870
Trading liabilities......................         673,944
Other borrowed money:
  With original maturity of one year
    or less..............................       2,713,248
  With original maturity of more than
    one year.............................          20,780
Bank's liability on acceptances exe-
  cuted and outstanding..................         803,292
Subordinated notes and debentures........       1,022,860
Other liabilities........................       1,590,564
                                              -----------
Total liabilities........................      38,015,103
                                              -----------

EQUITY CAPITAL
Common stock.............................         942,284
Surplus..................................         525,666
Undivided profits and capital
  reserves...............................       2,078,197
Net unrealized holding gains
  (losses) on available-for-sale
  securities.............................           3,197
Cumulative foreign currency translation
  adjustments............................      (    5,765)
                                              -----------
Total equity capital.....................       3,543,579
                                              -----------
Total liabilities and equity
  capital................................     $41,558,682
                                              ===========
</TABLE>

   I, Robert E. Keilman, Senior Vice President and Comptroller of the above-
named bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has been prepared in
conformance with the instructions issued by the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System and is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

                                                            Robert E. Keilman

   We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this Report of
Condition and declare that it has been examined by us and to the best of our
knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions
issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and is true and
correct.

             
   J. Carter Bacot     }
   Thomas A. Renyi     }     Directors
   Alan R. Griffith    }
             
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


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