TCI COMMUNICATIONS INC
8-K, 1996-02-14
CABLE & OTHER PAY TELEVISION SERVICES
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<PAGE>
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                            WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT


                      Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 of the
                        Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                       Date of Report:  February 14, 1996
               Date of Earliest Event Reported:  February 7, 1996



                            TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)

                                    DELAWARE
                 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

             0-5550                                         84-0588868
     (Commission File Number)               (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)


                                TERRACE TOWER II
                                5619 DTC Parkway
                        Englewood, Colorado  80111-3000
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

      Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (303) 267-5500
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 5.  OTHER EVENTS.
         ------------ 

     Pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 33-64329) (the
"Registration Statement") filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), and
declared effective by the Commission on December 15, 1995, the Registrant has
registered its senior, senior subordinated and subordinated debt securities (the
"Debt Securities"), for delayed or continuous offering to the public pursuant to
Rule 415 under the Act, for a maximum aggregate initial offering price of $1.16
billion (or the equivalent thereof denominated in one or more foreign
currencies, foreign currency units or composite currencies).  Reference is made
to the Registration Statement for further information concerning the terms of
the Debt Securities registered pursuant to the Registration Statement and the
offering thereof.

     On February 7, 1996, an underwriting agreement (the "Underwriting
Agreement"), substantially in the form of Exhibit 1.1 to the Registration
Statement, was executed by Salomon Brothers Inc., Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., CS
First Boston Corporation, Lehman Brothers, Inc., Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill
Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Morgan Stanley & Co.
Incorporated,  as representatives (the "Representatives") of the several
underwriters named therein (the "Underwriters"), providing for the sale by the
Registrant to, and the offering to the public by, the Underwriters of
$400,000,000 principal amount of the Registrant's 6 7/8% Senior Notes Due
February 15, 2006 (the "Notes") and $600,000,000 principal amount of the
Registrant's 7 7/8% Senior Debentures due February 15, 2026 (the "Debentures"),
each of which are a series of senior Debt Securities. The sale of the Notes and
the Debentures to the Underwriters pursuant to the

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
Underwriting Agreement was consummated on February 14, 1996.  The net proceeds
to the Registrant from the sale of the Notes and the Debentures was $990,814,000
before deducting expenses of the Registrant.  The Underwriting Agreement is
filed as Exhibit 1.1 hereto.  The Registrant has estimated that expenses of
$100,000 will be payable by it in connection with the sale of the Notes and
Debentures.

     The Notes and the Debentures were issued pursuant to an indenture, dated as
of December 20, 1995, in the form filed as Exhibit 4.10 to the Company's Current
Report on Form 8-K, dated December 21, 1995 (the "Indenture"), between the
Company and The Bank of New York, as Trustee.  The description of certain
provisions of the Indenture, the Notes and the Debentures, and information
concerning the terms of the purchase and offering to the public by the
Underwriters of the Notes and Debentures, are incorporated herein by reference
(i) to the section entitled "Description of Debt Securities -- Senior Debt
Securities" of the Prospectus, dated February 7, 1995 (the "Prospectus"), and
(ii) to the sections entitled "Description of Securities" and "Underwriting" in
the Prospectus Supplement thereto, dated February 7, 1995 (the "Prospectus
Supplement"), each of which has been filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule
424(b) under the Act.  The forms of Note and Debenture are filed as Exhibits 4.1
and Exhibit 4.2 hereto, respectively.

     Pursuant to Item 601(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the Commission
("Regulation S-K"), the Registrant filed as Exhibit 5 to the Registration
Statement an opinion, dated December 6, 1995, rendered to the Registrant by
Baker & Botts, L.L.P., counsel to the Registrant, as to the matters referred to
in Item 601(b)(5)(i) of Regulation S-K with respect to the Debt Securities
generally.  On February 14, 1996, Baker & Botts, L.L.P. rendered to the
Registrant an

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
opinion (the "Opinion") as to such matters specifically relating to the Notes
and Debentures.  A copy of the Opinion is filed as Exhibit 5.1 hereto and
includes the consent of Baker & Botts, L.L.P. (the "Consent") to the reference
to its name in the Prospectus Supplement.

     The Registrant is filing this Current Report on Form 8-K in order to cause
the Underwriting Agreement, the form of Note, the form of Debenture, the Opinion
and the Consent to be incorporated into the Registration Statement by reference.
By filing this Current Report on Form 8-K, however, the Registrant does not
believe that any of the Underwriting Agreement, the form of Note, the form of
Debenture, the Opinion, the Consent or the information set forth herein
represent, either individually or in the aggregate, a "fundamental change" (as
such term is used in Item 512(a)(1)(ii) of Regulation S-K) in the information
set forth in the Registration Statement.


 
ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS.

Exhibits
- --------
1.1        Underwriting Agreement, dated February 7, 1996 between the
           Representatives on behalf of the several Underwriters named in
           Exhibit B thereto and the Registrant.
4.1        Form of 6 7/8% Senior Note due February 15, 2006.
4.2        Form of 7 7/8% Senior Debenture due February 15, 2026.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
5.1        Opinion, dated February 14, 1996, of Baker & Botts, L.L.P., counsel
           to the Registrant, as to legality of the 6 7/8% Senior Notes due
           February 15, 2006 and 7 7/8% Senior Debentures due February 15, 2026.
23.1       Consent of Baker & Botts, L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1).

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURES
                                   ----------

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.



Dated:  February 14, 1996
                                    TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
                                    (Registrant)



                                    By:  /s/ Brendan R. Clouston
                                       ------------------------------
                                         Name:  Brendan R. Clouston
                                         Title: President

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
                                 -------------

 
 
Exhibits
- --------

1.1     Underwriting Agreement, dated February 7, 1996 between the
        Representatives on behalf of the several Underwriters named in
        Exhibit B thereto and the Registrant.
4.1     Form of 6 7/8% Senior Note due February 15, 2006.
4.2     Form of 7 7/8% Senior Debenture due February 15, 2026.
5.1     Opinion, dated February 14, 1996, of Baker & Botts, L.L.P., counsel
        to the Registrant, as to legality of the 6 7/8% Senior Notes due
        February 15, 2006 and 7 7/8% Senior Debentures due February 15, 2026.
23.1    Consent of Baker & Botts, L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1).
 

                                      -7-

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 1.1

                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

                                                                February 7, 1996

SALOMON BROTHERS INC
BEAR, STEARNS & CO. INC.
CS FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION
LEHMAN BROTHERS INC.
MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED
MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED

as Representatives of the several Underwriters
c/o SALOMON BROTHERS INC
 7 World Trade Center
 New York, New York  10048

Dear Sirs:

     TCI Communications, Inc. (the "Company") proposes to issue and sell
$400,000,000 principal amount of its 6 7/8% Senior Notes due February 15, 2006
(the "Senior Notes") and $600,000,000 principal amount of its 7 7/8% Senior
Debentures due February 15, 2026 (the "Senior Debentures" and, together with the
Senior Notes, the "Offered Debt Securities") pursuant to an indenture dated as
of December 20, 1995 (as the same may be amended or supplemented, the
"Indenture"), with The Bank of New York, as trustee (the "Trustee"). Each
Offered Debt Security will be issuable in the denominations and shall have the
terms set forth in Exhibit A. The term "Underwriters" as used herein will mean
and refer collectively to you and to the other several Underwriters named in
Exhibit B (and any substitute underwriter pursuant to Section 9 hereof), the
term "Underwriter" will refer to any of the several Underwriters named in
Exhibit B (and any substitute underwriter pursuant to Section 9 hereof), and the
term "Representatives" will refer to you in your capacity as the Representatives
of the several Underwriters. Any reference to you in this Agreement shall be
solely in your capacity as Representatives. The Company confirms as follows its
agreement with you and the Underwriters.

     1.  Registration Statement and Prospectus:  The Company has filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), in accordance with the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the
Commission promulgated thereunder (collectively called the "Act"), a shelf
registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 33-64329), including a prospectus,
relating to debt securities of the Company (the "Debt Securities") issuable from
time to time in one or more series, including the Offered Debt Securities, Class
A Common Stock Warrants of the Company issuable from time to time in one or more
series, and shares of Class A Common Stock, $1.00 par value per share, of the
Company (the "Common Stock") issuable from time to time upon conversion of
convertible Debt Securities or exercise of Class A Common Stock Warrants, which
has become effective under the Act, and will promptly file with the Commission a
prospectus supplement specifically relating to the Offered Debt Securities
pursuant to Rule 424 under the Act.  As used in this Agreement, the term
"Registration Statement" means such registration statement, including exhibits
and financial statements and schedules and documents incorporated by reference
therein, as amended or supplemented to the date hereof and, in the case of
references to the Registration Statement as of a date subsequent to the date
hereof, as amended or supplemented as of such date.  The term "Basic Prospectus"
means the prospectus dated February 7, 1996 to be filed with the Commission
pursuant to Rule 424 under the Act.  The term "Prospectus" means the Basic
Prospectus together with the prospectus supplement specifically relating to the
Offered Debt Securities as filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424 under
the Act.  The term "preliminary prospectus" means any preliminary prospectus
supplement specifically relating to the Offered Debt Securities together with
the Basic Prospectus.  Any reference herein to any preliminary prospectus or the
Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the documents incorporated by
reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the Act, as of the date
of such preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus, as the case may be, and any
reference herein to any amendment or supplement to any preliminary prospectus or
the Prospectus, except the reference in Section 4(c), shall be deemed to refer
to and include any
<PAGE>
 
documents filed after such date under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act"), and so incorporated by reference.

     2.  Agreements to Sell and Purchase:  The Company agrees to sell to the
Underwriters, and upon the basis of the representations, warranties and
agreements of the Company herein contained and subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement the Underwriters agree to purchase from the
Company, severally and not jointly, the principal amount of Offered Debt
Securities set forth opposite each Underwriter's respective name in Exhibit B,
(i) at a purchase price of 99.136% of the principal amount of the Notes plus
accrued interest, if any, from February 14, 1996, and (ii) at a purchase price
of 99.045% of the principal amount of the Debentures, plus accrued interest, if
any, from February 14, 1996.  The obligations of the several Underwriters to
purchase Offered Debt Securities pursuant to this Agreement are hereinafter
called their "underwriting obligations".

     With respect to any of the Offered Debt Securities purchased by an
Underwriter hereunder that such Underwriter continues to own or hold at any time
on or after the 90th day following the Closing Date (as defined in Section 3),
such Underwriter agrees that upon receipt of written notice by the
Representatives from the Company of the Company's intention to bid for or
purchase any Offered Debt Security or any security of the same class and series
as the Offered Debt Securities or to take any other action, directly or
indirectly, the taking of which would be proscribed by Rule 10b-6 promulgated by
the Commission under the Exchange Act (or any successor or equivalent rule or
regulation) during the distribution of the Offered Debt Securities, such
Underwriter will, and will cause its "affiliated purchasers" (as defined in said
Rule) to, cease distributing the Offered Debt Securities for such period of time
as the Company may deem necessary so that the action or actions proposed to be
taken, directly or indirectly, by it may be taken in full compliance with such
Rule (or any successor or equivalent rule or regulation).

     3.  Delivery and Payment:  Delivery of and payment for the Offered Debt
Securities shall be made at 10:00 A.M., New York time, on February 14, 1996
(such time and date are referred to herein as the "Closing Date"), at the office
of Baker & Botts, L.L.P., 885 Third Avenue, Suite 1900, New York, New York.  The
Closing Date and the place of delivery of and payment for the Offered Debt
Securities may be varied by agreement between you and the Company.

     Delivery of the Offered Debt Securities (in definitive form and registered
in such names and in such authorized denominations as you shall request at least
two business days prior to the Closing Date by written notice to the Company)
shall be made to you for the account of the respective Underwriters against
payment by you on behalf of the respective Underwriters of the purchase price
therefor by cashier or official bank check or checks payable to the order of the
Company in New York Clearing House (next day) funds.  For the purpose of
expediting the checking and packaging of the Offered Debt Securities, the
Company agrees to make the Offered Debt Securities available to you for
inspection at least 24 hours prior to the Closing Date or such shorter period of
time as you may agree to.

     4.  Agreements of the Company:  The Company agrees with you as follows:

          (a)  The Company will notify you promptly, and (if requested by you in
     writing) will confirm such advice in writing, (1) of the effectiveness of
     any amendment to the Registration Statement and of the filing of any
     supplement to the Prospectus, (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 or the initiation or threatening of any proceedings
     for that purpose, (4) of the receipt by the Company of any notification
     with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Offered Debt
     Securities for offer or sale in any jurisdiction or the 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

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
     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 Company will use its
     reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance of any order suspending the
     effectiveness of the Registration Statement or suspending the qualification
     of the Offered Debt Securities for offer or sale in any jurisdiction, and
     if any such order is issued, the Company will make every reasonable effort
     to obtain the withdrawal of such order at the earliest possible moment.

          (b)  The Company will furnish to each of you, without charge, one
     conformed 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 you) and will deliver to you for delivery to each Underwriter
     the number of conformed copies of the Registration Statement and any post-
     effective amendment thereto, excluding exhibits, as you may request.

          (c)  The Company will give you advance notice of its intention to file
     any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus
     with respect to the Offered Debt Securities, and will not file any such
     amendment or supplement to which you shall reasonably object in writing.

          (d)  During the period of time that the Prospectus is required by law
     to be delivered, the Company will deliver to you for delivery to each
     Underwriter, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus or any
     amendment or supplement thereto as you may reasonably request on behalf of
     the Underwriters.  The Company consents to the use of the Prospectus or any
     amendment or supplement thereto by the Underwriters and by all dealers to
     whom the Offered Debt Securities may be sold, both in connection with the
     offering or sale of the Offered Debt 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 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 Company will forthwith prepare and duly file with
     the Commission an appropriate supplement or amendment thereto, and
     forthwith file all reports and any definitive proxy statement or
     information statement required to be filed by the Company with the
     Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 14 of the Exchange Act subsequent to
     the date of the Prospectus, and will deliver to you, without charge, such
     number of copies thereof as you may reasonably request on behalf of the
     Underwriters.  If during such period of time any event shall occur which in
     your judgment should be so set forth (or incorporated by reference) in the
     Prospectus, or which in your judgment makes it necessary to so supplement
     or amend the Prospectus, the Company will consult with you concerning the
     necessity of filing with the Commission a supplement or an amendment to the
     Prospectus or a report pursuant to Section 13 or 14 of the Exchange Act.

          (e)  Prior to any public offering of the Offered Debt Securities by
     the Underwriters, the Company will cooperate with you and counsel retained
     by you on behalf of the Underwriters in connection with the registration or
     qualification of the Offered Debt Securities for offer and sale under the
     securities or Blue Sky laws of, and the determination of the eligibility of
     the Offered Debt Securities for investment under the laws of, such
     jurisdictions as you request; provided, that in no event shall the Company
     be obligated to qualify to do business as a foreign corporation or as a
     securities dealer in any jurisdiction 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 qualification of the Offered Debt Securities under
     such securities or Blue Sky laws and in connection with the determination
     of the eligibility of the Offered Debt Securities for investment under the
     laws of such jurisdictions as you may designate.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
     (f)  The Company will make generally available to its security holders and
     to you and to each Underwriter who may request the same consolidated
     earnings statements (which need not be audited) that satisfy the provisions
     of Section 11 (a) of the Act and Rule 158 thereunder.

          (g)  The Company will pay all expenses in connection with (1) the
     preparation, printing and filing of the Registration Statement, any
     preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus, any legal investment memorandum and
     Blue Sky memorandum as contemplated by Section 4(e), (2) the preparation,
     issuance and delivery of the Offered Debt Securities (other than transfer
     taxes) and the execution and delivery of the Indenture, (3) the printing of
     any Dealer Agreement, (4) 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 the Offered Debt Securities by
     dealers to whom Offered Debt Securities may be sold, and (5) any fees paid
     to rating agencies, if any, selected by the Company in connection with the
     rating of the Offered Debt Securities.

          (h)  If this Agreement is terminated by you because any condition to
     the obligations of you and the Underwriters set forth in Section 7 hereof
     is not satisfied or because of any failure or refusal on the part of the
     Company to comply with the terms hereof or if for any reason the Company
     shall be unable to perform its obligations hereunder, the Company will
     reimburse you on behalf of the Underwriters for all out-of-pocket expenses
     (including the fees and expenses of counsel retained by you on behalf of
     the Underwriters) reasonably incurred by you in connection herewith.  The
     Company will not in any event be liable to you or any of the Underwriters
     for damages on account of loss of anticipated profits.

          (i)  From the date hereof to and including the Closing Date, the
     Company will not offer or sell, or contract to sell, any debt securities of
     the Company with a maturity of more than one year, including additional
     Offered Debt Securities, pursuant to a public offering without your prior
     written consent.

     5.  Representations and Warranties of the Company:  The Company represents
and warrants to each Underwriter that:

          (a)  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 Exchange 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 Exchange 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;

          (b)  the Registration Statement, when declared effective by the
     Commission, complied in all material respects with the requirements of the
     Act; each preliminary prospectus, if any, relating to the Offered Debt
     Securities, filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Act, will comply when so
     filed in all material respects with the Act; and when the Prospectus is
     first filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424 and as of the Closing
     Date, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (as amended or
     supplemented, if applicable) will comply in all material respects with the
     requirements of the Act and the Indenture will comply in all material
     respects with the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
     amended (the "Trust Indenture Act").  When it was declared effective by the
     Commission, the Registration Statement

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
     did not, and as of the date the Prospectus is first filed with the
     Commission pursuant to Rule 424 and as of the Closing Date the Registration
     Statement (as amended or supplemented, if applicable) 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.  When the Prospectus is first filed with the Commission
     pursuant to Rule 424 and as of the Closing Date, the Prospectus (as amended
     or supplemented, if applicable) 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, in light of the
     circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.  Notwithstanding
     the foregoing, this representation and warranty does not apply to
     statements or omissions in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or
     any preliminary prospectus made in reliance upon information furnished to
     the Company in writing by the Underwriters through the Representatives
     expressly for use therein 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 trustees for the Debt Securities;

          (c)  the Offered Debt Securities and the Indenture have been duly
     authorized by the Company and will conform to the descriptions thereof in
     the Prospectus;

          (d)  the issuance and sale of the Offered Debt Securities and the
     fulfillment of the terms of this Agreement will not 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
     Regulation 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;

          (e)  KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, the Company's auditors, are independent
     accountants as required by the Act;

          (f)  so long as may be required for the distribution of the Offered
     Debt Securities by any Underwriter or by any dealers that participate in
     the distribution thereof, the Company will comply with all requirements
     under the Exchange Act relating to the timely filing with the Commission of
     its reports pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act and of its proxy
     statements pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act; and

          (g)  except to the extent set forth in the Prospectus, the Company has
     not received any notice of, nor does it have any actual knowledge of, any
     failure by it or any of its significant subsidiaries to be in substantial
     compliance with all existing statutes and regulations applicable to it or
     such subsidiaries, which failure would materially and adversely affect the
     conduct of the business of the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as
     a whole.

     6.  Indemnification:  The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless
each Underwriter, and each person, if any, who controls each 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 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 Company by an Underwriter through the
Representatives expressly for use therein; provided, however, the Company shall
not indemnify an Underwriter or any person who controls such Underwriter

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
from any such losses, claims, damages or liabilities alleged by any person who
purchased Offered Debt 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 Debt 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 Company advised the Representatives 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 Company to keep the same current and
effective has expired.  This indemnity will be in addition to any liability
which 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 an Underwriter or any person controlling an
Underwriter in respect of which indemnity may be sought from 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 you and the payment of all
expenses.  Any omission so to notify the Company shall not, however, relieve the
Company from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party otherwise
than under this Section 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 you 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 the Company, and such Underwriter or such
controlling person shall have been advised by your counsel that there may be a
conflict of interest between such Underwriter or such controlling person and the
Company in the conduct of the defense of such action (in which case, if such
Underwriter or such controlling person notifies the Company in writing that it
elects to employ separate counsel at the expense of the Company, the Company
shall not have the right to assume the defense of such action or proceeding on
behalf of such Underwriter or such controlling person), it being understood,
however, that the Company shall not, 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 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) at any time
for all indemnified parties, which firm shall be designated in writing by you.
The Company shall not 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 Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each 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 the
Company, its directors and each of its officers, and each person, if any, who
controls the Company within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Act or
Section 20 of the Exchange Act, to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity
from the Company to each 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 Company or its directors or officers or
any such controlling person, in respect of which indemnity may be sought against
one or more of the several Underwriters, such Underwriters acting through the
Representatives shall have the rights and

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
duties given to the Company, and the Company or its directors or officers or
such controlling person shall have the rights and duties given to you and the
several Underwriters, 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 Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the
other hand from the offering of the Offered Debt 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 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 Company on the one hand and the Underwriters
on the other in connection with the offering of the Offered Debt Securities
shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the
offering of the Offered Debt Securities received by the Company bear to the
total underwriting discounts received by the Underwriters in respect thereof.
The relative fault of 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 Company
or by the Underwriters through the Representatives 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.

     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, the Underwriters shall not be
required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total
price at which the Offered Debt Securities were offered to the public exceeds
the amount of any damages which the Underwriters have 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 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 any Underwriter or by or on behalf of the Company, (b)
acceptance of any of the Offered Debt Securities and payment therefor or (c) any
termination of this Agreement.

     7.  Conditions of the Obligations of You and the Underwriters:  The
obligations of you and the Underwriters hereunder are subject to the following
conditions:

          (a)  at the Closing Date, (i) no stop order suspending the
     effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued and no
     proceedings for that purpose shall be pending or threatened by the
     Commission; and the Representatives shall have received a certificate,
     dated the Closing Date and signed by the Chairman of the Board, the
     President, an Executive Vice President or the Senior Vice President-Finance
     and Treasurer of the Company (who may, as to threatened proceedings, rely
     upon the best of his information and belief), to that effect and to the
     effect set forth in clause (e) of this Section 7,

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
     and (ii) the rating assigned by either Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co. or
     its successor or by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or its successor to any
     debt securities of the Company as of the date of this Agreement shall not
     have been lowered since that date;

          (b)  the Representatives shall have received opinions, dated the
     Closing Date and reasonably satisfactory to counsel retained by the
     Representatives on behalf of the Underwriters, (A) 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, (B)
     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 existing and in good standing
          under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation and has 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 and to issue and sell
          the Offered Debt Securities as contemplated by this Agreement;

            (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 Offered Debt Securities and the
          sale of the Offered Debt Securities by the Company in accordance with
          the terms of 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 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 of this Agreement and the Indenture,
          the issuance of the Offered Debt Securities 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 charter or by-laws of
          the Company 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 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 or (ii) the Blue
          Sky or securities laws of any jurisdiction; and

            (vii)  to the best knowledge of such counsel, neither the
          Registration Statement nor 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 in the Registration Statement or Prospectus, as to which no
          opinion need be expressed), contained, as

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
          of the date the Prospectus was first filed with the Commission
          pursuant to Rule 424, 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.

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

            (i)  the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Indenture,
          the issuance of the Offered Debt Securities and the fulfillment of the
          terms herein and therein contained do not, to the best knowledge of
          such counsel, 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 its 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.

          and (D) from Baker & Botts, L.L.P., special counsel to the Company, or
     such other counsel to the Company as may be reasonably satisfactory to the
     Representatives, to the following effect and covering such additional
     matters as the Representatives may reasonably request:

            (i) this Agreement and the Indenture have been duly authorized,
          executed and delivered by the Company; 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) the Indenture has been duly qualified under, and complies in
          all material respects with the requirements of, the Trust Indenture
          Act;

            (iii)  the Offered Debt Securities, when executed and authenticated
          in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and delivered to and
          paid for by the Representatives on behalf of the Underwriters in
          accordance with this Agreement, 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 Registration Statement is effective under the Act and, to
          the best knowledge of such counsel, no stop order suspending the
          effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued and no
          proceeding for that purpose is pending or threatened by the
          Commission; and

            (v) the Offered Debt Securities and the Indenture conform in all
          material respects as to legal matters to the descriptions thereof in
          the Prospectus.

            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

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
          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 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 Debt Securities and the Indenture or relate to us.
          However, in connection with the preparation of the Registration
          Statement and the Prospectus, we had conferences with certain officers
          and other representatives of 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 officers and other
          representatives of 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 in the Registration Statement or
          Prospectus and (y) the documents incorporated or deemed to be
          incorporated by reference therein, as to which no opinion 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 officers of
          the Company, public officials and others, and (y) as to matters of law
          if other than the United States or Colorado (in the case of Messrs.
          Sherman & Howard 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 Company, provided that such counsel are
          satisfactory to the Representatives and counsel retained by the
          Representatives on behalf of the Underwriters;

          (c)  the Representatives shall have received on the Closing Date from
     Messrs.  Brown & Wood, counsel retained by the Representatives on behalf of
     the Underwriters, an opinion to the effect set forth in clauses (D)(i) and
     (iii) and to the effect 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 need be expressed) comply as to form in all material respects
     with the Act.  In addition, the Representatives shall have received on the
     Closing Date from Messrs.  Brown & Wood, or from other counsel acceptable
     to the Representatives, an opinion with respect to the Registration
     Statement and the Prospectus in the form customarily given by such firm;

          (d)  on the Closing Date the Representatives shall have received a
     letter addressed to the Representatives from KPMG Peat Marwick LLP,
     independent auditors for the Company, reasonably satisfactory to the
     Representatives;

          (e)  the representations and warranties of the Company in this
     Agreement shall be true and correct on and as of the Closing Date; 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

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
     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 Company and its subsidiaries, considered as a whole;
     and

          (f)  subsequent to the date of this Agreement, 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 Company and its subsidiaries, considered as a whole which, in the
     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 Debt Securities on the terms and in the manner contemplated
     by the Prospectus.

     8.  Termination of Agreement:  The obligation of the Underwriters to
purchase the Offered Debt Securities may be terminated at any time prior to the
Closing Date by notice to the Company from the Representatives, without
liability on the part of the Underwriters to 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 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 Debt Securities.

     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 Debt
Securities that it or they are obligated to purchase hereunder (the "Defaulted
Debt 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 Debt 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:

          (a)  if the principal amount of Defaulted Debt Securities does not
     exceed 10% of the aggregate principal amount of Offered Debt 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 Debt Securities exceeds 10%
     of the aggregate principal amount of Offered Debt 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 Debt Securities.

     In the event of any such default either the Representatives or 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 Debt Securities.

     If the principal amount of Defaulted Debt Securities exceeds 10% of the
aggregate principal amount of Offered Debt 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 Debt Securities, this
Agreement shall terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting
Underwriter to the Company except as provided in Section 6.

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
     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.

     10.  Miscellaneous:  Notice given pursuant to any of the provisions of this
Agreement shall be in writing and shall be mailed or delivered (a) to the
Company at its office, Terrace Tower II, 5619 DTC Parkway, Englewood, Colorado
80111-3000, attention:  Bernard W. Schotters, Senior Executive Vice President-
Finance, or (b) to you at Salomon Brothers Inc, 7 World Trade Center, New York,
New York 10048, attention:  Debt Syndicate.  Any notice under Section 8 hereof
may be made by telex or telephone, but if so made shall be subsequently
confirmed in writing.

     This Agreement has been and is made solely for the benefit of the
Underwriters and the Company and of the controlling persons, directors and
officers referred to in Section 6 hereof, and their respective successors and
assigns, and no other person shall acquire or have any right under or by virtue
of this Agreement.  The term "successors and assigns" as used in this Agreement
shall not include a purchaser, as such purchaser, of Offered Debt Securities
from any Underwriter.

     This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
internal laws of the State of New York.

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
     Please confirm that the foregoing correctly sets forth the agreement
between the Company and you and the Underwriters.

                              Very truly yours,


                              TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.


                              By: /s/ Gerald Sokol
                                 ------------------------------
                                 Name: Gerald Sokol
                                 Title:


Confirmed and Accepted,
as of the date first above written:

SALOMON BROTHERS INC
BEAR, STEARNS & CO. INC.
CS FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION
LEHMAN BROTHERS INC.
MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED
MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED


By:  SALOMON BROTHERS INC


By:   /s/ M. Ian G. Gilchrist
   --------------------------
Title:

For themselves and as Representatives of the
other Underwriters named in Exhibit B hereto.

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT A

                                DEBT SECURITIES


     NOTES:

     Designation:  Senior

     Dated Date:  February 14, 1996

     Maturity:  February 15, 2006

     Authorized Denominations:  $1,000 principal amount and any integral
     multiple thereof

     Interest rate:  6 7/8%

     Interest Payment Dates:  February 15 and August 15, commencing August 15,
     1996

     Record Dates:  February 1 and August 1

     Sinking Fund:  None

     Optional Redemption:  None

     DEBENTURES:

     Designation:  Senior

     Dated Date:  February 14, 1996

     Maturity:  February 15, 2026

     Authorized Denominations:  $1,000 principal amount and any integral
     multiple thereof

     Interest rate: 7 7/8%

     Interest Payment Dates:  February 15 and August 15, commencing August 15,
     1996

     Record Dates:  February 1 and August 1

     Sinking Fund:  None

     Optional Redemption:  None

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT B

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                    Principal Amount       Principal Amount
     Underwriter                                        of Notes             of Debentures
     -----------                                        --------             ------------- 
 
<S>                                                   <C>                     <C>  
Salomon Brothers Inc                                  $ 62,000,000            $ 92,500,000
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.                                61,600,000              92,500,000
CS First Boston Corporation                             61,600,000              92,500,000
Lehman Brothers Inc.                                    61,600,000              92,500,000
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated      61,600,000              92,500,000
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated                       61,600,000              92,500,000
Chemical Securities Inc.                                 6,000,000               9,000,000
Citicorp Securities, Inc.                                6,000,000               9,000,000
Credit Lyonnais Securities (USA) Inc.                    6,000,000               9,000,000
Deutsche Morgan Grenfell/C.J. Lawrence Inc.              6,000,000               9,000,000
Societe Generale                                         6,000,000               9,000,000
                                                                        
               Total                                  $400,000,000            $600,000,000
                                                      ============            ============
</TABLE> 
 
                                       15

<PAGE>

                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.1
 
REGISTERED                                                            REGISTERED


  NUMBER                                                                  $
[R       ]                  TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.                  [        ]

                    6 7/8 SENIOR NOTE DUE FEBRUARY 15, 2006
                                                               CUSIP 872287 AE 7


TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC., a Delaware corporation,


promises to pay to





or registered assigns
the principal sum of                               DOLLARS on February  15, 2006


INTEREST Payment Dates: February 15 and August 15, commencing August 15, 1996.
         Record Dates: February 1 and August 1.

DATED:

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION:                          TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

The undersigned certifies that this is one of the       BY /s/ Bob Magness
Securities of the series designated herein
referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.            CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
The Bank of New York
                        as Trustee
BY                                                        /s/ Stephen M. Brett

    AUTHORIZED OFFICER                                                SECRETARY
                           TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
                                   CORPORATE
                                     SEAL
                                   DELAWARE

            SECURITY-COLUMBIAN  UNITED STATES BANKNOTE CORPORATION
<PAGE>

                            TCI COMMUNICATION, INC.
                   6 7/8% SENIOR NOTE DUE FEBRUARY 15, 2006

     1. Interest.
     TCI Communications, Inc. (the "Company"), a Delaware corporation, promises
to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note (as defined below) at the
rate per annum shown above. The Company will pay interest semiannually on
February 15 and August 15 of each year, commencing August 15, 1996. Interest on
this Note will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid
or, if no interest has been paid, from February 14, 1996. Interest will be
computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

     2. Method of Payment.
     The Company will pay interest on this Note (except defaulted interest) to
the persons who are registered holders of this Note at the close of business on
the first day of the month in which such interest payment occurs. Holders must
surrender Notes to a Paying Agent to collect premium, if any, and principal
payments. The Company will pay principal, premium, if any, and interest in money
of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of
public and private debts. The Company may, however, pay principal, premium, if
any, and interest by its check payable in such money. It may mail an interest
check to a holder's registered address.

     3. Paying Agent and Registrar.
     Initially, The Bank of New York ("Trustee"), at 101 Barclay Street, New
York 10286, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may change any
Paying Agent, Registrar or co-Registrar without notice. The Company or any of
its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent, Registrar or co-Registrar.

     4. Indenture.
     This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of Securities of the Company
(the "Notes"), issued and to be issued in one or more series under an Indenture
dated as of December 20, 1995 (the "Indenture") between the Company and the
Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those
made part of the Indenture by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15
U.S. Code (S)(S)77aaa-77bbbb) (the "Act"). The Notes are subject to all such
terms, and Noteholders are referred to the Indenture and the Act for a statement
of them. All terms used in this Note which are defined in the Indenture shall
have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture. This Note is one of the
series designated on the face hereof. The Notes of this series are general
unsecured obligations of the Company limited to $400,000,000 in aggregate
principal amount.

     5. No Redemption.
     The Notes may not be redeemed by the Company prior to maturity, and are not
entitled to the benefits of a sinking fund.

     6. Change of Control.
     In the event that a Change of Control occurs on or before February 15, 
2006, and, during the period commencing 90 days prior to public disclosure of 
the occurrence of such Change of Control and ending 90 days after such public 
disclosure, two or more National Rating Agencies downgrade their respective 
ratings of the Notes from the ratings in effect at the beginning of such 180-day
period (unless a National Rating Agency downgrades its rating of the Notes 
during the 90-day period prior to such public disclosure and upgrades its rating
of the Notes by the close of business on the date of such public disclosure to 
at least the rating it had given to the Notes as of the beginning of such 
180-day period), the holder of this Note will have the right to put all or part 
of this Note to the Company for purchase at a purchase price of 100% of the 
principal amount hereof, plus interest accrued and unpaid to the date fixed for 
purchase, upon the terms and conditions specified in the Indenture.

     7. Denominations, Transfer, Exchange.
     The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $1,000
and integral multiples of $1,000. A holder may transfer or exchange Notes in 
accordance with the Indenture. The Registrar may require a holder, among other 
things, to furnish appropriate endorsement and transfer documents and to pay 
any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the indenture.

     8. Persons Deemed Owners.
     The registered holder of a Note may be treated as the owner of it for all 
purposes.

     9. Unclaimed Money.
     If money for the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest remains
unclaimed for two years, the Trustee or Paying Agent will pay the money back to 
the Company at its request. After that, holders entitled to the money must look 
to the Company for payment unless an abandoned property law designates another 
person.

     10. Amendment, Supplement, Waiver.
     Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture or the Securities of any
series may be amended or supplemented, and any past default or compliance with
any provision may be waived in so far as the Securities of any series are
concerned, with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of
the outstanding Securities of such series. Without the consent of any
Securityholder, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement the
Indenture or the Securities of any series to cure any ambiguity, defect, or
inconsistency or to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to
certificated Securities or to make certain other specified changes or any change
that does not materially adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder.

     11. Successor Corporation.
     When a successor corporation assumes all the obligations of its predecessor
under the Notes and the Indenture, the predecessor corporation will be released 
from those obligations.

     12. Defaults and Remedies.
     An Event of Default is: default for 30 days in payment of any interest on
any Note; default in payment of principal or premium, if any, on any Note;
failure by the Company, for 30 days after receipt of notice from the Trustee or
the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes, to
comply with any of its other agreements in the Indenture (other than an
agreement which has expressly been included in the Indenture solely for the
benefit of Securities of any series other than this series) of the Notes;
acceleration of Debt of the Company (including Securities of any other series)
representing in excess of five percent (5%) of the aggregate principal amount of
the Company's Funded Debt then outstanding unless, within 30 days after receipt
of notice by the Company from the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in
principal amount of the outstanding Notes, such acceleration has been rescinded
or annulled, such Debt has been paid or the Company shall have contested such
acceleration in good faith and by appropriate proceedings and have obtained and
thereafter maintained a stay of all consequences thereof that would have a
material adverse effect on the Company; and certain events of bankruptcy or
insolvency. If an Event of Default with respect to the Notes shall occur and be
continuing, the principal of, and the premium, if any, and accrued interest on
the Notes may be declared or may become due and payable in the manner and with
the effect provided in the Indenture. In the event of a declaration of
acceleration under the Indenture with respect to the Notes because an Event of
Default has occurred due to the acceleration of Debt of the Company representing
in excess of five percent (5%) of the aggregate principal amount of the
Company's Funded Debt, such declaration of acceleration under the Indenture
shall be automatically annulled if (a) as a result of the contest by the Company
in appropriate proceedings of the acceleration on such Debt such acceleration is
declared void ab initio, or (b) within 90 days of the declaration of
acceleration under the Indenture the declaration of acceleration of such Debt
has been rescinded or annulled in any manner authorized by the mortgage,
indenture, or instrument evidencing or creating such Debt and, in the case of
this clause (b), the annulment of the declaration of acceleration under the
Indenture would not conflict with any judgment or decree, and, in either case,
all other existing Events of Default (other than the non-payment of the
principal of and accrued interest, if any, on Securities of any series that have
become due solely by such acceleration) with respect to the Notes have been
cured or waived. Noteholders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except
as provided in the Indenture. The Trustee may require indemnity satisfactory to
it before it enforces the Indenture or the Notes. Subject to certain
limitations, holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes
of this series may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The
Trustee may withhold from Noteholders notice of any continuing default (except a
default in payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest) if it determines
that withholding notice is in their interests. The Company is required to file
periodic reports with the Trustee as to the absence of default.

     13. Trustee Dealings with Company.
     The Bank of New York, the Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or
any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform 
services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the 
Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not Trustee.

     14. No Recourse Against Others.
     A director, officer, employee, or stockholder, as such, of the Company or 
the Trustee shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company or 
the Trustee under the Notes or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in 
respect of, or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each Noteholder 
by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and 
release are part of the consideration for the issue of the Note.

     15. Authentication.
     This Note shall not be valid until the Trustee signs the certificate of 
authentication on the other side of this Note.

     16. Abbreviations.
     Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a holder of a Note or an
assignee, such as: TEN COM (=tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the 
entireties), JT TEN (=joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as 
tenants in common), CUST (=custodian) and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gifts to Minors 
Act). Additional abbreviations may be used though not in the above list.

     The Company will furnish to any holder a Note upon written request and 
without charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to: Bernard W. 
Schotters, Senior Vice President, TCI Communications, Inc., 5619 DTC Parkway, 
Englewood, Colorado 80111-3000.


                                ASSIGNMENT FORM

If you the holder want to assign this Note, fill in the form below and have your
signature guaranteed:

For value received, I or we assign and transfer this Note to

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

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Insert assignee's social security or tax ID number)

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

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

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            (Print or type assignee's name, address, and zip code)

and irrevocably appoint

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
agent to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may 
substitute another to act for him.

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

Dated:                    Your signature:
- -----------------------                  ---------------------------------------
                                         (Sign exactly as your name appears on
                                          the other side of this Note)

                          Signature Guarantee:
                                              ----------------------------------

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.2
 
REGISTERED                                                            REGISTERED


  NUMBER                                                                  $
[R       ]                  TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.                  [        ]

                 7 7/8 SENIOR DEBENTURE DUE FEBRUARY 15, 2026
                                                               CUSIP 872287 AF 4


TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC., a Delaware corporation,


promises to pay to





or registered assigns
the principal sum of                               DOLLARS on February 15, 2026


INTEREST Payment Dates: February 15 and August 15, commencing August 15, 1996.
         Record Dates: February 1 and August 1.

DATED:

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION:                          TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

The undersigned certifies that this is one of the       BY /s/ Bob Magness
Securities of the series designated herein
referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.            CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
The Bank of New York
                        as Trustee
BY                                                        /s/ Stephen M. Brett

    AUTHORIZED OFFICER                                                SECRETARY
                           TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
                                   CORPORATE
                                     SEAL
                                   DELAWARE

            SECURITY-COLUMBIAN  UNITED STATES BANKNOTE CORPORATION

<PAGE>
 
                            TCI COMMUNICATION, INC.
                 7 7/8% SENIOR DEBENTURE DUE FEBRUARY 15, 2026

     1. Interest.
     TCI Communications, Inc. (the "Company"), a Delaware corporation, promises
to pay interest on the principal amount of this Debenture (as defined below) at
the rate per annum shown above. The Company will pay interest semiannually on
February 15 and August 15 of each year, commencing August 15, 1996. Interest on
this Debenture will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been
paid or, if no interest has been paid, from February 14, 1996. Interest will be
computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

     2. Method of Payment.
     The Company will pay interest on this Debenture (except defaulted interest)
to the persons who are registered holders of this Debenture at the close of
business on the first day of the month in which such interest payment occurs.
Holders must surrender Debentures to a Paying Agent to collect premium, if any,
and principal payments. The Company will pay principal, premium, if any, and
interest in money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal
tender for payment of public and private debts. The Company may, however, pay
principal, premium, if any, and interest by its check payable in such money. It
may mail an interest check to a holder's registered address.

     3. Paying Agent and Registrar.
     Initially, The Bank of New York ("Trustee"), at 101 Barclay Street, New
York 10286, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may change any
Paying Agent, Registrar or co-Registrar without notice. The Company or any of
its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent, Registrar or co-Registrar.

     4. Indenture.
     This Debenture is one of a duly authorized issue of Securities of the
Company (the "Debentures"), issued and to be issued in one or more series under
an Indenture dated as of December 20, 1995 (the "Indenture") between the Company
and the Trustee. The terms of the Debentures include those stated in the
Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by the Trust Indenture Act of
1939, as amended (15 U.S. Code (S)(S)77aaa-77bbbb) (the "Act"). The Debentures
are subject to all such terms, and Debentureholders are referred to the
Indenture and the Act for a statement of them. All terms used in this Debenture
which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in
the Indenture. This Debenture is one of the series designated on the face
hereof. The Debenture of this series are general unsecured obligations of the
Company limited to $600,000,000 in aggregate principal amount.

     5. No Redemption.
     The Debentures may not be redeemed by the Company prior to maturity, and
are not entitled to the benefits of a sinking fund.

     6. Change of Control.
     In the event that a Change of Control occurs on or before February 15, 
2006, and, during the period commencing 90 days prior to public disclosure of 
the occurrence of such Change of Control and ending 90 days after such public 
disclosure, two or more National Rating Agencies downgrade their respective 
ratings of the Debentures from the ratings in effect at the beginning of such
180-day period (unless a National Rating Agency downgrades its rating of the
Debentures during the 90-day period prior to such public disclosure and upgrades
its rating of the Debentures by the close of business on the date of such public
disclosure to at least the rating it had given to the Debentures as of the
beginning of such 180-day period) the holder of this Debenture will have the
right to put all or part of this Debenture to the Company for purchase at a
purchase price of 100% of the principal amount hereof, plus interest accrued and
unpaid to the date fixed for purchase, upon the terms and conditions specified
in the Indenture.

     7. Denominations, Transfer, Exchange.
     The Debentures are in registered form without coupons in denominations of
$1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000. A holder may transfer or exchange
Debentures in accordance with the Indenture. The Registrar may require a holder,
among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsement and transfer documents
and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture.

     8. Persons Deemed Owners.
     The registered holder of a Debenture may be treated as the owner of it for
all purposes.

     9. Unclaimed Money.
     If money for the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest remains
unclaimed for two years, the Trustee or Paying Agent will pay the money back to 
the Company at its request. After that, holders entitled to the money must look 
to the Company for payment unless an abandoned property law designates another 
person.

     10. Amendment, Supplement, Waiver.
     Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture or the Securities of any
series may be amended or supplemented, and any past default or compliance with
any provision may be waived in so far as the Securities of any series are
concerned, with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of
the outstanding Securities of such series. Without the consent of any
Securityholder, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement the
Indenture or the Securities of any series to cure any ambiguity, defect, or
inconsistency or to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to
certificated Securities or to make certain other specified changes or any change
that does not materially adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder.

     11. Successor Corporation.
     When a successor corporation assumes all the obligations of its predecessor
under the Debentures and the Indenture, the predecessor corporation will be
released from those obligations.

     12. Defaults and Remedies.
     An Event of Default is: default for 30 days in payment of any interest on
any Debenture; default in payment of principal or premium, if any, on any
Debenture; failure by the Company, for 30 days after receipt of notice from the
Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding
Debentures, to comply with any of its other agreements in the Indenture (other
than an agreement which has expressly been included in the Indenture solely for
the benefit of Securities of any series other than this series) or the
Debentures; acceleration of Debt of the Company (including Securities of any
other series) representing in excess of five percent (5%) of the aggregate
principal amount of the Company's Funded Debt then outstanding unless, within 30
days after receipt of notice by the Company from the Trustee or the holders of
at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Debentures, such
acceleration has been rescinded or annulled, such Debt has been paid or the
Company shall have contested such acceleration in good faith and by appropriate
proceedings and have obtained and thereafter maintained a stay of all
consequences thereof that would have a material adverse effect on the Company;
and certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency. If an Event of Default with
respect to the Debentures shall occur and be continuing, the principal of, and
the premium, if any, and accrued interest on the Debentures may be declared or
may become due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the
Indenture. In the event of a declaration of acceleration under the Indenture
with respect to the Debentures because an Event of Default has occurred due to
the acceleration of Debt of the Company representing in excess of five percent
(5%) of the aggregate principal amount of the Company's Funded Debt, such
declaration of acceleration under the Indenture shall be automatically annulled
if (a) as a result of the contest by the Company in appropriate proceedings of
the acceleration on such Debt such acceleration is declared void ab initio, or
(b) within 90 days of the declaration of acceleration under the Indenture the
declaration of acceleration of such Debt has been rescinded or annulled in any
manner authorized by the mortgage, indenture, or instrument evidencing or
creating such Debt and, in the case of this clause (b), the annulment of the
declaration of acceleration under the Indenture would not conflict with any
judgment or decree, and, in either case, all other existing Events of Default
(other than the non-payment of the principal of and accrued interest, if any, on
Securities of any series that have become due solely by such acceleration) with
respect to the Debentures have been cured or waived. Debenture holders may not
enforce the Indenture or the Debentures except as provided in the Indenture. The
Trustee may require indemnity satisfactory to it before it enforces the
Indenture or the Debentures. Subject to certain limitations, holders of a
majority in principal amount of the outstanding Debentures of this series may
direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may
withhold from Debenture holders notice of any continuing default (except a
default in payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest) if it determines
that withholding notice is in their interests. The Company is required to file
periodic reports with the Trustee as to the absence of default.

     13. Trustee Dealings with Company.
     The Bank of New York, the Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or
any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform 
services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the 
Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not Trustee.

     14. No Recourse Against Others.
     A director, officer, employee, or stockholder, as such, of the Company or
the Trustee shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company or
the Trustee under the Debentures or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in
respect of, or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each Debenture-
holder by accepting a Debenture waives and releases all such liability. The
waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of the Debenture.

     15. Authentication.
     This Debenture shall not be valid until the Trustee signs the certificate
of authentication on the other side of this Debenture.

     16. Abbreviations.
     Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a holder of a Debenture
or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (=tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the
entireties), JT TEN (=joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as
tenants in common), CUST (=custodian) and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gifts to Minors
Act). Additional abbreviations may be used though not in the above list.

     The Company will furnish to any holder a Debenture upon written request and
without charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to: Bernard W.
Schotters, Senior Vice President, TCI Communications, Inc., 5619 DTC Parkway,
Englewood, Colorado 80111-3000.


                                ASSIGNMENT FORM

If you the holder want to assign this Debenture, fill in the form below and have
your signature guaranteed:

For value received, I or we assign and transfer this Debenture to

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

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Insert assignee's social security or tax ID number)

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

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

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            (Print or type assignee's name, address, and zip code)

and irrevocably appoint

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
agent to transfer this Debenture on the books of the Company. The agent may 
substitute another to act for him.

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

Dated:                    Your signature:
- -----------------------                  ---------------------------------------
                                         (Sign exactly as your name appears on
                                          the other side of this Debenture)

                          Signature Guarantee:
                                              ----------------------------------


<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1
                                                                     -----------

                          [BAKER & BOTTS LETTERHEAD]



                               February 14, 1996


TCI Communications, Inc.
Terrace Tower II
5619 DTC Parkway
Englewood, CO  80111

Gentlemen:

     Reference is made to the registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 33-
64329) (the "Registration Statement") filed by TCI Communications, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the proposed offering
from time to time by the Company of its senior, senior subordinated or
subordinated debt securities (the "Debt Securities").  As described in the
Registration Statement, the Company may, among other Debt Securities, offer
Senior Debt Securities to be issued under an Indenture, dated as of December 20,
1995 (the "Indenture"), between the Company and The Bank of New York, as Trustee
(the "Trustee").

     On February 7, 1996, the Company entered into an underwriting agreement
(the "Underwriting Agreement") with Salomon Brothers Inc, Bear, Stearns & Co.
Inc., CS First Boston Corporation, Lehman Brothers Inc., Merrill Lynch & Co.,
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Morgan Stanley & Co.
Incorporated, acting on behalf of the several underwriters named in Exhibit B
thereto (collectively, the "Underwriters") pursuant to which the Company agreed
to sell to the Underwriters, subject to the conditions stated in the
Underwriting Agreement, $400,000,000 aggregate principal amount of  a series of
the Company's Senior Debt Securities designated as its "6 7/8% Senior Notes due
February 15, 2006" (the "Notes") and $600,000,000 aggregate principal amount of
a series of the Company's Senior Debt Securities designated as its "7 7/8%
Senior Debentures due February 15, 2026" (the "Debentures", and together with
the Notes, the "Securities"). You have asked us to pass upon for you certain
legal matters in connection with the Securities.

     In connection therewith, we have examined, among other things, copies of
the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws of the Company, each as
amended; the Underwriting Agreement; the Indenture; copies of records of
proceedings of the Company's Board of Directors, including committees thereof;
and such other documents, records, certificates and questions of law as we
deemed necessary or appropriate for the purpose of this opinion.  In rendering
this opinion, we have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us
as originals and the conformity to
<PAGE>
 
BAKER & BOTTS
    L.L.P.


TCI Communications, Inc.
February 14, 1996
Page 2




authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified,
conformed or reproduction copies.  We have further assumed that the Indenture
and the Underwriting Agreement have been duly and validly authorized, executed
and delivered by, and constitute the valid and binding obligations of, the
parties thereto other than the Company.

     Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

     The Securities have been duly authorized and, when duly executed by the
proper officers of the Company, authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in
accordance with the Indenture and issued and sold to the Underwriters pursuant
to the terms of the Underwriting Agreement, they will be legally issued, 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 the rights of
creditors generally, and (B) that equitable remedies may not be available.

     We hereby consent to the reference to us under the heading "Validity of the
Securities" in the Prospectus Supplement dated February 7, 1996 to the
Prospectus dated February 7, 1996 forming a part of the Registration Statement
and to the incorporation of this opinion by reference into the Registration
Statement.  In giving the foregoing consent, we do not admit that we are in the
category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder.

 
                                       Very truly yours,
                                  
                                  
                                  
                                       BAKER & BOTTS, L.L.P.


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