EXHIBIT 10.1

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

                                PARENTS AGREEMENT

                                      among

                                  VIACOM INC.,

                            TELE-COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

                                       and

                            TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

                            Dated as of July 24, 1995

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




                                       1


                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
 
                                                                           Page
                                   ARTICLE I

                                  DEFINITIONS
                                                                      
Section 1.1    Definitions................................................    1
                                                                         
                                  ARTICLE II                             
                                                                         
                              THE EXCHANGE OFFER                         
                                                                         
Section 2.1    Exchange Offer.............................................    7
Section 2.2    Number of Shares of Class A Common Stock...................   10
Section 2.3    Exchange Offer Mechanics...................................   10
Section 2.4    Recapitalization...........................................   12
                                                                         
                                  ARTICLE III                            
                                                                         
                               OTHER AGREEMENTS                          
                                                                         
Section 3.1    Execution of Other Agreements..............................   12
Section 3.2    Amendments of Implementation Agreement.....................   12
Section 3.3    Designation of Agent for PCI Group.........................   12
Section 3.4    Prohibited Transactions....................................   13
Section 3.5    No Inconsistent Terms......................................   13
Section 3.6    Operation of the Business..................................   13
Section 3.7    Right of First Offer.......................................   13
                                                                         
                                  ARTICLE IV                             
                                                                         
                     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF VI                
                                                                         
Section 4.1    Corporate Existence and Power..............................   14
Section 4.2    Corporate Authorization....................................   14
Section 4.3    Governmental Authorization.................................   14
Section 4.4    Consents...................................................   14
Section 4.5    Non-Contravention..........................................   15
Section 4.6    Binding Effect.............................................   15
Section 4.7    Finders' Fees..............................................   15
Section 4.8    Exchange Offer.............................................   15


 
 
 
                                      ii

                                   ARTICLE V

               REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF TCI AND TCI SUB

                                                                       
Section 5.1   Corporate Existence and Power.............................      16
Section 5.2   Corporate Authorization...................................      16
Section 5.3   Governmental Authorization................................      16
Section 5.4   Consents..................................................      16
Section 5.5   Non-Contravention.........................................      16
Section 5.6   Binding Effect............................................      17
Section 5.7   Finders' Fees.............................................      17

                                  ARTICLE VI

                             CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

Section 6.1   Conditions to OBligations of VI...........................      17
Section 6.2   Further Condition.........................................      18

                                  ARTICLE VII

                                  TERMINATION

Section 7.1   Termination...............................................      19
Section 7.2   Effect of Termination.....................................      20

                                 ARTICLE VIII

                                 MISCELLANEOUS

Section 8.1   Expenses..................................................      20
Section 8.2   Headings..................................................      21
Section 8.3   Notices...................................................      21
Section 8.4   Assignment................................................      21
Section 8.5   Entire Agreement..........................................      22
Section 8.6   Amendment; Waiver.........................................      22
Section 8.7   Counterparts..............................................      22
Section 8.8   Governing Law.............................................      22
Section 8.9   Severability..............................................      22
Section 8.10  Consent to Jurisdiction...................................      22
Section 8.11  Third Person Beneficiaries................................      23
Section 8.12  Specific Performance......................................      23
Section 8.13  Survival..................................................      23

 


 
                                      iii

EXHIBITS

Exhibit A - Exchange Offer Conditions
Exhibit B - Implementation Agreement

SCHEDULES

Schedule 5.4 - Consents Required by Contracts of TCI and TCI Sub

 
                                PARENTS AGREEMENT


     Parents  Agreement,  dated as of July 24,  1995 (this  "Agreement"),  among
Viacom  Inc.,  a  Delaware  corporation  ("VI"),  Tele-Communications,  Inc.,  a
Delaware  corporation  ("TCI"),  and  TCI   Communications,   Inc.,  a  Delaware
corporation ("TCI Sub").

     WHEREAS, Viacom International Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Old VII"),  is
a wholly-owned subsidiary of VI; and

     WHEREAS, VI desires to make an exchange offer to its shareholders  pursuant
to which shares of VI Common  Stock would be exchanged  for Class A Common Stock
of Old VII; and

     WHEREAS,  it is the  intent  of VI that  prior to the  consummation  of the
Exchange  Offer Old VII will (i) convey all of the  Non-Cable  Assets to New VII
and (ii) distribute its shares in New VII to VI; and

     WHEREAS,  TCI Sub desires to purchase from Old VII shares of Class B Common
Stock of Old VII immediately following the Exchange Time; and

     NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the premises  and mutual  covenants
contained  herein  between the parties  referred  to above,  the parties  hereto
hereby agree as follows:


                                    ARTICLE I
                                    ---------

                                   DEFINITIONS

     Section 1.1  Definitions.  For  purposes of this  Agreement  the  following
terms,  when used in capitalized  form,  shall have the following  meanings (and
such meanings shall be equally  applicable to both the singular and plural forms
of the terms defined herein):

     "Affiliate"  shall  have  the  meaning  specified  in  the   Implementation
Agreement.

     "Aggregate  Loan  Amount"  shall  have the  meaning  set  forth in  Section
6.1(vi).

     "Agreement" shall mean this Parents  Agreement,  including the Exhibits and
Schedules hereto.

     "Amended and Restated  Certificate of Incorporation" shall have the meaning
specified in the Implementation Agreement.

     "Anticipated Commencement Date" shall have the meaning specified in Section
2.3(ii).

     "Assumption  of  Liabilities"  shall  have  the  meaning  specified  in the
Implementation Agreement.


                                       2

 
     "Bill of Sale"  shall  have the  meaning  specified  in the  Implementation
Agreement.

     "Business  Day"  shall have the  meaning  specified  in the  Implementation
Agreement.

     "Cable  Division  Subsidiary"  shall  have  the  meaning  specified  in the
Implementation Agreement.

     "Cash  Collateral   Account"  shall  have  the  meaning  specified  in  the
Subscription Agreement.

     "Class A Common Stock" shall mean the Class A Common Stock, par value $100,
of Old VII,  after  giving  effect to the  filing of the  Amended  and  Restated
Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of Delaware.

     "Communications Act" shall have the meaning specified in the Implementation
Agreement.

     "Consented   Subscribers"   shall  have  the  meaning   specified   in  the
Subscription Agreement.

     "Conversion Ratio" shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.3(ii).

     "Conversion  Ratio  Spread"  shall have the  meaning  specified  in Section
2.3(ii).

     "Conveyance   of  Assets"   shall  have  the  meaning   specified   in  the
Implementation Agreement.

     "Estimated   Asset  Value"   shall  have  the  meaning   specified  in  the
Implementation Agreement.

     "Estimated   Exchange  Date  Basic  Subscribers"  shall  have  the  meaning
specified in the Subscription Agreement.

     "Exchange Date" shall mean the date on which the Exchange Time occurs.

     "Exchange Offer" shall mean an offer by VI to exchange Class A Common Stock
for VI Common  Stock on the basis set forth in  Article  II and  subject  to the
Exchange Offer Conditions.

     "Exchange  Offer  Commencement  Date"  shall  mean the  date on  which  the
Exchange Offer commences in accordance with the 1934 Act.

     "Exchange Offer  Conditions" shall mean the conditions set forth on Exhibit
A.

     "Exchange Ratio" shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.3.



                                       3

 
     "Exchange Time" shall mean, if the Exchange Offer is consummated, the first
Business Day following  announcement of the proration  factor (which in no event
shall be more  than ten (10)  Business  Days  after  the  Expiration  Date),  in
accordance  with the terms and  conditions of the Exchange  Offer and applicable
SEC rules and regulations, at which time VI shall exchange share certificates of
Class A Common Stock for share  certificates  of VI Common Stock pursuant to the
Exchange Offer.

     "Expiration  Date" shall mean the date on which the Expiration  Time occurs
in accordance with its terms.

     "Expiration  Time" shall mean the time at which the Exchange  Offer finally
expires.

     "FCC Authorizations" shall have the meaning specified in the Implementation
Agreement.

     "Final Exchange Ratio" shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.3(i).

     "Force  Majeure  Event" means any event  described in paragraph  (e) of the
Exchange Offer Conditions.

     "Force Majeure Notice" shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.1(e).

     "Governmental   Authority"   shall  have  the  meaning   specified  in  the
Implementation Agreement.

     "HSR Act" shall have the meaning specified in the Implementation Agreement.

     "Implementation  Agreement" shall mean the Implementation Agreement,  dated
as of the date hereof, between New VII and Old VII, in the form of Exhibit B.

     "Inconsistent  Terms"  shall  mean,  with  respect  to the  Loans  or  Loan
Documentation,  terms or conditions  thereof that (i) are inconsistent  with the
terms of the Transaction  Documents or the Preferred Stock or (ii) would require
the grant of any  security  interest in an asset of VI or any of its  Affiliates
(other than (x) a grant by Old VII of a security interest in the Cash Collateral
Account  prior to the  Exchange  Time,  (y) the  pledge  by Old VII or any Cable
Division  Subsidiary of stock in a Cable Division  Subsidiary  that is effective
upon  (but  not  before)  the  release  of all  funds  to Old VII  from the Cash
Collateral  Account  or (z)  pursuant  to  Section  2.17  of the  Implementation
Agreement, in each case consistent with the terms of the Transaction Documents).

     "InterMedia" shall mean InterMedia  Partners IV, L.P., a California limited
partnership.



                                       4

 
     "Intraday Price" shall mean, with respect to a day, the weighted average of
the sale  prices  for all  trades of  shares of VI Class B Common  Stock on such
date, as reported by the ADP Financial Information Services reporting service.

     "Legal  Requirement" shall have the meaning specified in the Implementation
Agreement.

     "Loan  Documentation"  shall have the meaning specified in the Subscription
Agreement.

     "Loan  Proceeds"  shall  have the  meaning  specified  in the  Subscription
Agreement.

     "Loans" shall have the meaning specified in the Subscription Agreement.

     "Local  Authority" shall have the meaning  specified in the  Implementation
Agreement.

     "Local   Authorizations"   shall  have  the   meaning   specified   in  the
Implementation Agreement.

     "Minimum  Condition" shall mean the condition that a number of shares of VI
Common Stock shall have been validly  tendered  and not  withdrawn  prior to the
expiration of the Exchange Offer that is sufficient to enable VI to exchange the
Number of Shares to be Exchanged at the Final Exchange Ratio in accordance  with
the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer.

     "ML&Co." shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.3(ii).

     "NASDAQ" shall mean the electronic  inter-dealer  quotation system operated
by NASDAQ, Inc., a subsidiary of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc.

     "Negotiation Period" shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.7.

     "New VII" means Viacom International Services Inc., a Delaware corporation.

     "1933 Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder, as amended.

     "1934 Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,  and
the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as amended.

     "Non-Cable  Assets" shall have the meaning specified in the  Implementation
Agreement.

     "Non-Cable  FCC  Authorizations"  shall have the meaning  specified  in the
Implementation Agreement.



                                       5

 
     "Number of Shares to be  Exchanged"  shall have the  meaning  specified  in
Section 2.2.

     "Offered Business" shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.7.

     "Offering Materials" means the Offering Circular/Prospectus relating to the
Exchange  Offer  included in the  Registration  Statement  and each of the other
documents  mailed to  stockholders  of VI in connection  with the Exchange Offer
and, if a TCI Registration  Statement is required  pursuant to Section 2.1(b) to
be declared  effective  prior to the  commencement  of the Exchange  Offer,  the
Prospectus  relating to the TCI Stock issuable upon  conversion of the Preferred
Stock included in such TCI Registration Statement.

     "Offer Period" shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.7.

     "Old  VII"  shall  have  the  meaning  specified  in the  preamble  of this
Agreement.

     "PCI  Group"  shall  have  the  meaning  specified  in  the  Implementation
Agreement.

     "PCI  Subsidiaries"  shall have the meaning specified in the Implementation
Agreement.

     "Person" shall have the meaning specified in the Implementation Agreement.

     "Preferred  Stock" shall mean the Series A Senior  Cumulative  Exchangeable
Preferred  Stock of Old VII,  having the rights and  privileges set forth in the
term sheet set forth as Exhibit K to the Implementation  Agreement, and having a
yield and conversion  ratio determined in accordance with Section 2.3 and having
such other terms as are customary for such  securities and consistent  with such
term sheet.

     "Price   Notice"   shall   have  the  meaning  specified  in  Section  3.7.

     "RCS" shall mean RCS Pacific, L.P., a California limited partnership.

     "Registration Statement" shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.1.

     "SEC" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.

     "Share  Purchase   Closing"  shall  have  the  meaning   specified  in  the
Implementation Agreement.

     "Spread" shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.3.

     "Subscription  Agreement" shall mean a Subscription Agreement,  dated as of
the date hereof, among Old VII, TCI and TCI Sub, provided that the definition of
Subscription Agreement shall not include any amendment thereto entered into from
and after the Exchange Time without the written consent of VI (which consent may
be withheld for any reason).


                                       6

 
     "TCI Information" shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.1(f).

     "TCI  Registration  Statement" shall have the meaning  specified in Section
2.1(b).

     "TCI Stock"  shall mean (i) the Class A Common  Stock,  $1.00 par value per
share, of TCI, or (ii) if the "Liberty Media Group Stock Proposal" (as such term
is defined  in the proxy  statement/prospectus  of TCI dated  June 29,  1995) is
adopted  by the  stockholders  of  TCI  and  the  Distribution  (as so  defined)
contemplated  thereby is made,  the Series A TCI Group Common  Stock,  $1.00 par
value per share, of TCI.

     "TCI  Sub"  shall  have  the  meaning  specified  in the  preamble  of this
Agreement.

     "Tiebreaker  Investment  Bank" shall have the meaning  specified in Section
2.3(ii).

     "Transaction"  shall mean the  Conveyance  of  Assets,  the  Assumption  of
Liabilities, the Loans, the Exchange Offer, the sale of the Shares (as such term
is  defined  in  the   Subscription   Agreement)  and  all  other   transactions
contemplated by the Transaction Documents.

     "Transaction  Documents"  shall  mean this  Agreement,  the  Implementation
Agreement,   the  Subscription  Agreement,  the  Bill  of  Sale  and  any  other
agreements,  documents, instruments and certificates dated as of the date hereof
and executed and delivered by TCI or any of its Affiliates, on the one hand, and
VI or any  of its  Affiliates,  on  the  other  hand,  in  connection  with  the
transactions contemplated by the foregoing.

     "VI" shall have the meaning specified in the preamble of this Agreement.

     "VI Class B Common  Stock" shall mean the Class B Common  Stock,  par value
$0.01, of VI.

     "VI Common Stock" means the Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
of VI, and the VI Class B Common Stock.

     "WP&Co." shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.3(ii).


                                   ARTICLE II
                                   ----------

                               THE EXCHANGE OFFER

     Section 2.1 Exchange  Offer.  (a) VI shall (i) cause Old VII to prepare and
file  with the SEC as  promptly  as  practicable  following  the  date  hereof a
registration  statement on Form S-4 (or another appropriate form) under the 1933
Act with respect to the Exchange Offer (the "Registration Statement");  (ii) use
its commercially  reasonable efforts to have the Registration Statement declared
effective  by the SEC under the 1933 Act;  and (iii) take all such action as may
be  required  under state blue sky or  securities  laws in  connection  with the
Exchange Offer.


                                       7

 
     (b) TCI agrees to prepare and file with the SEC,  and use its  commercially
reasonable  efforts to cause to be declared effective (which, if required by the
SEC, shall be prior to the  commencement of the Exchange  Offer), a registration
statement  under the 1933 Act which will  permit the  exchange  of TCI Stock for
shares of Preferred Stock upon conversion  thereof to be made in compliance with
the 1933 Act and the rules and  regulations  of the SEC  promulgated  thereunder
(the "TCI Registration Statement").

     (c) Subject to the  fulfillment of the conditions set forth in Section 6.1,
promptly  after  both  the  Registration  Statement  and  the  TCI  Registration
Statement (if required pursuant to Section 2.1(b) to be declared effective prior
to the commencement of the Exchange Offer) become  effective,  VI shall commence
the  Exchange  Offer (and file with the SEC a Schedule  13E-4 under the 1934 Act
relating to the Exchange  Offer),  cause the Offering  Materials to be mailed to
the record holders of its Common Stock and,  subject to the terms and conditions
of the  Exchange  Offer  and  this  Agreement,  take  all  action  necessary  to
consummate the Exchange  Offer. It is agreed that VI shall have no obligation to
make a recommendation to its shareholders concerning the Exchange Offer.

     (d) VI shall  accept  for  exchange,  in  accordance  with the terms of the
Exchange Offer,  shares of VI Common Stock tendered prior to the Expiration Time
and not theretofore  withdrawn if all Exchange Offer  Conditions shall have been
satisfied or waived by VI in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer. VI
agrees that it will not exercise its right to terminate the Exchange  Offer as a
result of the failure of an Exchange Offer Condition  without a reasonable basis
for believing that such Exchange Offer Condition has not been satisfied.

     (e) VI agrees  that it will not  accept  for  exchange  shares of VI Common
Stock tendered to it in the Exchange Offer and shall extend the Expiration  Date
(provided that the Expiration Date has not already been extended) if it receives
written  notice  from TCI and TCI Sub to it prior to 5:00  P.M.  on the date the
Exchange Offer is scheduled to expire that they have  determined  that any Force
Majeure Event has occurred (a "Force Majeure Notice"), provided that TCI and TCI
Sub must have a reasonable basis for making such a  determination.  In the event
that a Force Majeure  Notice has been delivered to VI and no Force Majeure Event
shall  exist  on the  subsequent  Expiration  Date  following  extension  of the
Exchange Offer pursuant to Section  2.3(ii),  VI may give written notice to such
effect to TCI and TCI Sub prior to 5:00 p.m. on such subsequent Expiration Date,
in which case such Force  Majeure  Notice shall be deemed to be withdrawn and of
no further  force and effect at 8:59 A.M. on the Business Day following the date
such notice is delivered by VI.

     (f) TCI and TCI Sub agree to provide VI with such  information with respect
to TCI,  TCI Sub,  the Loans and,  with respect to any period after the Exchange
Time,  Old VII or any  Cable  Division  Subsidiary,  as is  necessary  for VI to
complete the  Registration  Statement in accordance with the requirements of the
1933  Act.  TCI and TCI Sub  covenant  that the  information  supplied  or to be
supplied by TCI or TCI Sub in writing  specifically  for inclusion in, and which
is included  in, the  Registration  Statement  or any  amendment  or  supplement
thereto,  or the Offering  Materials,  which concerns TCI, TCI Sub, or the Loans
or, with  respect to any period after the  Exchange  Time,  Old VII or any Cable


                                       8

 
Division Subsidiary (the "TCI  Information"),  will not, at the respective times
such  documents are filed and at the  Expiration  Time,  and, in the case of the
Registration  Statement or any  amendment or supplement  thereto,  when the same
becomes effective,  and, in the case of the Offering  Materials,  at the time of
mailing thereof to VI's stockholders, contain any untrue statement of a material
fact  or omit to  state  any  material  fact  necessary  in  order  to make  the
statements  therein,  in light of the circumstances  under which they were made,
not   misleading   or  necessary  to  correct  any   statement  in  any  earlier
communication  with respect to the Exchange  Offer.  For this  purpose,  any TCI
Information  included  in any  such  document  will be  deemed  to have  been so
supplied in writing  specifically  for  inclusion  therein if such  document was
available for review by TCI a reasonable time before such document was filed and
not  objected to in writing by TCI prior to the filing  thereof.  If at any time
prior to the Exchange Date any event or circumstance relating to TCI, TCI Sub or
any of their  Affiliates  or their  officers  or  directors,  the Loans or, with
respect  to any period  after the  Exchange  Time Old VII or any Cable  Division
Subsidiary,  should  be  discovered  by TCI  which  should  be set  forth  in an
amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or Offering Materials,  as
required by applicable law, TCI shall promptly inform VI. VI and its Affiliates,
officers,  directors,   employees,  agents,  successors  and  assigns  shall  be
indemnified  and held  harmless  by TCI and TCI Sub (who  shall be  jointly  and
severally liable) for any and all liabilities,  losses,  damages,  claims, costs
and expenses  (including,  without  limitation,  attorneys'  fees and  expenses)
actually  suffered  or incurred by them  arising  out of or  resulting  from any
untrue statement of a material fact contained in the  Registration  Statement or
the  Offering  Materials,  or any  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,  if the
statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in  conformity  with the TCI
Information.

     (g) VI covenants  that the  information in the  Registration  Statement and
Offering  Materials (other than the TCI Information)  shall not, at the time (i)
the Registration  Statement is declared  effective,  (ii) the Offering Materials
(or any  amendment  thereof  or  supplement  thereto)  is  first  mailed  to the
shareholders  of VI,  and  (iii)  at the  Expiration  Time  contain  any  untrue
statement  of a material  fact or omit to state any material  fact  necessary in
order to make the statements  therein, in light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading. If any time prior to the Exchange Date any event
or  circumstance  relating  to VI or any of its  Affiliates  or its  officers or
directors,  should be discovered by VI which should be set forth in an amendment
or a supplement to the Registration Statement or Offering Materials, as required
by applicable  law, VI shall  promptly  inform TCI and TCI Sub. TCI, TCI Sub and
their Affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents, successors and assigns
shall  be  indemnified  and  held  harmless  by VI for any and all  liabilities,
losses,  damages,  claims,  costs and expenses  (including,  without limitation,
attorneys' fees and expenses)  actually suffered or incurred by them arising out
of or resulting  from any untrue  statement of a material fact  contained in the
Registration  Statement  or the  Offering  Materials,  or any  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, in each case except to the extent that the statement or omission
was made in reliance upon and in conformity with the TCI Information.



                                       9

 
     Section 2.2 Number of Shares of Class A Common Stock.  The number of shares
of Class A  Common  Stock  that VI shall  exchange  for VI  Common  Stock in the
Exchange Offer shall be a number (the "Number of Shares to be Exchanged")  equal
to (x) the Estimated  Asset Value,  minus  $1,700,000,000  (one  billion,  seven
hundred  million  dollars),  divided  by (y) $100  (the par value of the Class A
Common  Stock  and the  stated  amount  of the  liquidation  preference  (before
provision  for  accrued  and  unpaid  dividends)  of one share of the  Preferred
Stock.)

     Section 2.3 Exchange Offer Mechanics.

                    (i)       Unless otherwise agreed,  the Exchange Offer shall
                              be a "Dutch  Auction"  tender  offer  pursuant  to
                              which  stockholders  of VI who tender their shares
                              of VI  Common  Stock  shall be  provided  with the
                              opportunity  to state the  minimum  fraction  of a
                              share  or  shares  of  Class A  Common  Stock  (an
                              "Exchange   Ratio")  that  such  shareholder  will
                              accept  in  exchange  for  each  share  of such VI
                              Common Stock accepted by VI for exchange  pursuant
                              to the Exchange  Offer.  The Exchange  Offer shall
                              state  a  maximum  Exchange  Ratio  and a  minimum
                              Exchange   Ratio,   provided   that  the  maximum
                              Exchange Ratio times $100 shall  represent a price
                              not  less  than  112.5%  of  the  average  of  the
                              Intraday  Prices  for a share of VI Class B Common
                              Stock  reported  by the  American  Stock  Exchange
                              during the  twenty  trading  day period  ended the
                              date  prior  to the  Exchange  Offer  Commencement
                              Date.  The  final  Exchange  Ratio  shall  be  the
                              smallest  Exchange  Ratio (within  applicable  SEC
                              rules and  regulations)  equal to or less than the
                              specified   maximum  Exchange  Ratio  (the  "Final
                              Exchange Ratio") that would result in the issuance
                              of  the  Number  of  Shares  to  be  Exchanged  in
                              exchange for the shares of VI Common Stock validly
                              tendered  prior  to  the  Expiration   Date,  and,
                              subject to  satisfaction  of all conditions to the
                              Exchange  Offer and to proration,  VI shall accept
                              for  exchange  at the  Final  Exchange  Ratio  all
                              shares  validly  tendered and not  withdrawn  with
                              respect  to  which  an  Exchange  Ratio  has  been
                              designated  which  is  equal  to or less  than the
                              Final  Exchange  Ratio.  If there is no such Final
                              Exchange  Ratio,  the Minimum  Condition  shall be
                              deemed not met as of such expiration date.

                    (ii)      The terms of the Exchange  Offer shall specify (a)
                              that the yield on the Preferred Stock to be issued
                              in exchange  for the Class A Common Stock upon the
                              Share Purchase Closing shall bear a dividend yield
                              equal to (x) the yield on ten (10)  year  treasury
                              bonds immediately prior to the commencement of the
                              Exchange  Offer,  plus  a  specified  spread  (the
                              "Spread")  which shall not be greater than one and
                              one-quarter  (1.25)  percentage  points  over such
                              yield or (y) such higher  dividend yield as may be
                              specified  by TCI as  provided  below  and (b) the
                              conversion ratio (the  "Conversion  Ratio") on the
                              Preferred   Stock  for  the   conversion   of  the


                                       10

 
                              Preferred  Stock  into TCI Stock,  which  shall be
                              based upon a  percentage  premium  of  twenty-five
                              percent (25%) (the "Conversion Ratio Spread") over
                              the  weighted  average of the sale  prices for all
                              trades of shares of TCI Stock on NASDAQ during the
                              twenty  (20)  trading  days  ending on the  second
                              Business Day (or such longer period as is required
                              by the 1934 Act)  prior to the  expiration  of the
                              Exchange  Offer.  VI shall notify TCI Sub not less
                              than  fifteen  (15)  Business  Days  prior  to the
                              anticipated  commencement  date  of  the  Exchange
                              Offer  (the  "Anticipated  Commencement  Date") of
                              such Anticipated Commencement Date. Merrill, Lynch
                              & Co.,  Incorporated  ("ML&Co.") and  Wasserstein,
                              Perella & Co.  ("WP&Co.")  shall  use  their  best
                              efforts  to agree on the Spread not later than the
                              fifth  Business Day after the date of such notice.
                              In the event that ML&Co.  and WP&Co. are unable to
                              agree  on the  Spread  by such  date,  they  shall
                              immediately   notify  TCI  Sub  and  VI  of  their
                              respective   positions   with   respect   to   the
                              appropriate  Spread  and Smith  Barney  Inc.  (the
                              "Tiebreaker   Investment  Bank")  shall  select  a
                              Spread,  which Spread shall be within the range of
                              the two  Spreads  proposed  by ML&Co.  and  WP&Co.
                              Notwithstanding the foregoing,  TCI shall have the
                              right to specify a  dividend  yield that is higher
                              than the dividend yield that would result from the
                              Spread  determined  by ML&Co.  and  WP&Co.  or the
                              Tiebreaker Investment Bank, as the case may be, by
                              giving VI written  notice of such higher  dividend
                              yield by the third  Business Day after the date of
                              such determination of the Spread. Spreads shall be
                              determined  pursuant  to this  Section  2.3,  such
                              that,  in the opinion of the entity  proposing the
                              Spread,  if the  Preferred  Stock bears a dividend
                              yield  equal to the ten (10)  year  treasury  bond
                              yield plus such Spread,  the Preferred Stock would
                              be  expected  to  trade  at a price  equal  to the
                              liquidation    preference   thereof    immediately
                              following  the Exchange  Date.  ML&Co.  and WP&Co.
                              shall provide the Tiebreaker  Investment Bank with
                              full   access  to  all   significant   information
                              employed  by them,  and TCI and VI  shall  provide
                              such   other   information   that  is   reasonably
                              requested in estimating  the Spread.  In the event
                              that the Minimum Condition is not met on the first
                              expiration  date of the Exchange  Offer, VI shall,
                              not later  than the last day  permitted  under the
                              1934 Act,  extend the Exchange  Offer for not less
                              than ten (10)  Business Days nor more than fifteen
                              (15) Business  Days (or such greater  period as is
                              required under the 1934 Act). During the period of
                              the extension,  TCI and VI shall negotiate in good
                              faith in order to  determine  mutually  acceptable
                              terms  and  conditions  for  the  Preferred  Stock
                              (including, without limitation, the dividend yield
                              and  Conversion  Ratio)  and  the  Exchange  Offer
                              (including,  without  limitation,  the duration of
                              any  further  extension  thereof  and the  maximum
                              Exchange  Ratio) that each  believes in good faith
                              would cause the Minimum  Condition to be fulfilled
                              at the Expiration  Date of a further  extension of
                              the  Exchange  Offer,  and that  would  cause  the
                              Preferred  Stock to trade at a price  equal to the
                              liquidation    preference   thereof    immediately


                                       11

 
                              following the Exchange Date. In the event that the
                              parties  agree with respect to such terms prior to
                              the  Expiration  Date  of  such   extension,   the
                              Exchange  Offer  shall be further  extended to the
                              extent  mutually agreed and in accordance with the
                              requirements  of the 1934 Act.  In the event  that
                              the Minimum Condition is not met at the expiration
                              date of the Exchange  Offer after such  extension,
                              either  party  shall  have the right to  terminate
                              this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1(f).

                    (iii)     VI shall be responsible  for the fees and expenses
                              of WP&Co. and TCI and TCI Sub shall be responsible
                              for the fees and  expenses of ML&Co.,  and each of
                              VI, on the one hand,  and TCI and TCI Sub,  on the
                              other hand,  shall be responsible for one-half the
                              fees and  expenses  of the  Tiebreaker  Investment
                              Bank (which fees shall be negotiated in good faith
                              by VI and TCI Sub).

     Section 2.4 Recapitalization.  Subject to the fulfillment of the conditions
set forth in Section 6.1,  prior to the Exchange Time, VI shall cause Old VII to
take the action  contemplated by Section 2.1(c) of the Implementation  Agreement
and  shall  cause  all  of  the  capital  stock  of  Old  VII  held  by VI to be
reclassified into a number of shares of Class A Common Stock equal to the Number
of Shares to be Exchanged.


                                   ARTICLE III
                                   -----------

                                OTHER AGREEMENTS

     Section  3.1  Execution  of Other  Agreements.  (a)  Concurrently  with the
execution and delivery hereof,  TCI and TCI Sub shall execute and deliver to Old
VII the Subscription Agreement.

     (b) Concurrently with the execution and delivery hereof, VI shall cause (i)
Old VII and New VII to execute  and  deliver  to each  other the  Implementation
Agreement  and  (ii)  Old  VII to  execute  and  deliver  to TCI and TCI Sub the
Subscription Agreement.

     Section 3.2 Amendments of Implementation Agreement. VI agrees that prior to
the  Exchange  Time it shall not cause or permit  Old VII or New VII to amend or
waive performance of any provision of the  Implementation  Agreement without the
prior written  consent of TCI or TCI Sub,  provided that upon the written notice
of TCI Sub  delivered to VI, or upon written  notice of VI delivered to TCI Sub,
in either case within ninety (90) days of the date certifications  under Section
617 of the Communications Act are delivered to the Local Authorities pursuant to
Section  7.9(c)(iii) of the  Subscription  Agreement,  to the effect that in its
reasonable   judgment  consents  of  Local  Authorities  are  required  for  the
consummation  of the  Transaction  that are not reflected on Schedule 4.9 of the
Implementation  Agreement,  VI shall cause Old VII and New VII to amend Schedule
4.9  of  the   Implementation   Agreement  to  indicate  such  additional  Local
Authorizations  requiring the consent of the Local Authority for consummation of
the Transaction.


                                       12

 
     Section 3.3 Designation of Agent for PCI Group.  TCI and TCI Sub hereby (i)
acknowledge that the PCI Subsidiaries of Old VII which were formerly  includible
in the consolidated  federal income tax returns of the PCI Group intend to apply
to the Internal Revenue Service for permission to designate  Paramount  Pictures
Corporation or another PCI Subsidiary as the agent for the PCI Group pursuant to
Treas.  Reg. ss.  1.1502-77(d) and (ii) agree to cooperate in attempting to have
such permission granted.

     Section  3.4  Prohibited   Transactions.   TCI  shall  not  consummate  any
transaction  in which all or a majority in value (as determined in good faith by
the management of TCI) of its assets are distributed  without fair consideration
to its direct or indirect  stockholders unless (x) the transferee of such assets
or, if such assets represent  principally an equity interest in an entity,  such
entity,  assumes, by instrument reasonably satisfactory to VI, TCI's obligations
under the  Transaction  Documents  to which TCI is a party and (y) the equity of
such  transferee or entity has a fair market value  immediately  following  such
transaction  of at  least  $1,500,000,000  (one  billion  five  hundred  million
dollars).

     Section 3.5 No Inconsistent  Terms. TCI Sub and TCI covenant and agree with
VI that the Loan Documentation will not contain,  and that the Loans will not be
made on, any Inconsistent Terms.

     Section 3.6 Operation of the Business. TCI and TCI Sub shall not permit Old
VII or any Cable Division Subsidiary to engage in any transaction on the Closing
Date other than in the ordinary course of business and other than  transactions,
if any,  required  to take place on the Closing  Date by the Parents  Agreement,
Implementation Agreement or Subscription Agreement.

     Section 3.7 Right of First Offer. In the event this Agreement is terminated
pursuant to Section 7.1 solely as a result of the failure of the  condition  set
forth in Section  6.1(iv),  then if at any time during the period  commencing on
the date of such  termination  and  ending on the date  which is  eighteen  (18)
months  after the date of such  termination  (the "Offer  Period") VI intends to
sell all or substantially  all of the Business,  or all or substantially  all of
the Bay Area System or the Puget Sound System,  or all or  substantially  all of
the  stock of any  Subsidiary  or  Subsidiaries  the  assets  of  which  consist
primarily of all or  substantially  all of the Business,  the Bay Area System or
the Puget  Sound  System (in any such case,  an  "Offered  Business"),  VI shall
deliver to TCI a written notice to such effect. If TCI notifies VI in writing of
its desire to conduct negotiations regarding such sale within five Business Days
of its receipt of such notice from VI, VI and TCI shall  negotiate in good faith
during the period ending on the sixtieth day after the date of such notice by VI
(the  "Negotiation  Period") to reach an  agreement  for the sale of the Offered
Business  to TCI.  During the  Negotiation  Period,  VI shall  notify TCI of the
amount,  and material terms, of the  consideration VI would be willing to accept
for a sale of the Offered  Business (a "Price Notice") on one or more occasions.
If a binding  agreement for a sale of the Offered Business is not reached by the
end  of  the  Negotiation  Period,  for a  period  of  120  days  following  the
termination  of the  Negotiation  Period  VI may sell (or  enter  into a binding
agreement to sell) the Offered Business for an aggregate  consideration equal to
or greater  than the fair  market  value of the  consideration  set forth in the
Price Notice delivered by VI during the Negotiation Period reflecting the lowest


                                       13

 
fair market value  consideration,  and, if such sale is  consummated,  TCI shall
have no further rights under this Section 3.7. If (i) at the end of such 120 day
period,  a binding  agreement  for a sale of the Offered  Business  has not been
reached or (ii) such a binding  agreement  has been  reached  and is  terminated
prior to its  consummation  during  the  Offer  Period,  VI shall  not,  for the
remainder  of the Offer  Period,  if any,  sell or negotiate to sell any Offered
Business without complying with the procedures set forth in this Section 3.7.


                                   ARTICLE IV
                                   ----------

                      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF VI

     VI represents and warrants to TCI and TCI Sub that:

     Section 4.1  Corporate  Existence and Power.  VI (i) is a corporation  duly
organized,  validly  existing  and  in  good  standing  under  the  laws  of its
jurisdiction of organization,  (ii) is authorized to transact business and is in
good  standing  in each  state in which its  ownership  of assets or  conduct of
business  requires  such  qualification,  and  (iii)  has all  corporate  powers
required to carry on its business as  conducted  on the date  hereof,  with such
exceptions to clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) as would not  materially and adversely
affect the ability of VI to consummate the Transactions to be consummated by it.

     Section  4.2  Corporate  Authorization.  The  performance  by  VI  of  this
Agreement and the consummation by VI of the Transactions to be consummated by it
are  within  the  corporate  powers of VI and have been duly  authorized  by all
necessary  corporate  action on the part of VI. The approval of the stockholders
of VI is not required in order to consummate the Transaction.

     Section 4.3 Governmental Authorization.  The execution and delivery of this
Agreement  by  VI,  and  the  performance  by  VI of  this  Agreement,  and  the
consummation by VI of the  Transactions to be consummated by it pursuant hereto,
require no material  action by or in respect of, or material  filing  with,  any
Governmental   Authority   other  than  (x)   compliance   with  any  applicable
requirements  of  the  HSR  Act,  the  FCC  Authorizations,  the  Non-Cable  FCC
Authorizations and the Local Authorizations,  (y) compliance with any applicable
requirements  of the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act and state blue sky and securities
laws in connection  with the Exchange Offer and (z) those that may be applicable
as a result of the regulatory status of TCI, TCI Sub or their Affiliates.

     Section  4.4  Consents.  Except  as  set  forth  on  Schedule  4.5  to  the
Implementation  Agreement,  no consent by any Person  under any  contract  as to
which VI is a party or to which its assets are subject is required or  necessary
for the execution and delivery of this Agreement by VI, or the performance by VI
of  this  Agreement,  or  the  consummation  by VI  of  the  Transactions  to be
consummated by it pursuant  hereto with such  exceptions as would not materially
and adversely  affect the ability of VI to  consummate  the  Transactions  to be
consummated by it.


                                       14

 
     Section 4.5 Non-Contravention.  The execution,  delivery and performance of
this  Agreement  by  VI,  and  the   consummation  by  VI  of  the  Transactions
contemplated  to be  consummated  by it  pursuant  hereto,  do not or before the
Exchange Date will not, (x)  contravene  the  certificate  of  incorporation  or
bylaws of VI or (y) subject to  obtaining  the  consents  set forth in Schedules
4.5,  4.9,  4.14  and  4.16  of the  Implementation  Agreement  and  subject  to
obtaining,  making or taking the actions and filings  described  in clauses (x),
(y) and (z) of  Section  4.3,  result  in, or  constitute  a breach  or  default
(including  any event  that,  with the  passage of time or giving of notice,  or
both, would become a breach or default) under any applicable  Legal  Requirement
or any judgment, injunction, order, decree, contract, license, lease, indenture,
mortgage, loan agreement,  note or other agreements or instrument as to which VI
is a party or by which any of its properties  may be bound,  the effect of which
would be to materially and adversely  impair the ability of VI to consummate the
Transactions to be consummated by it.

     Section 4.6 Binding  Effect.  This  Agreement  has been duly  executed  and
delivered by VI, and this Agreement  constitutes a valid and binding  obligation
of  VI,  enforceable  against  VI  in  accordance  with  its  terms,  except  as
enforceability   may  be   limited   by   applicable   bankruptcy,   insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally
or by the principles governing the availability of equitable remedies.

     Section 4.7 Finders' Fees. There is no investment banker, broker, finder or
other  intermediary which has been retained by or is authorized to act on behalf
of VI or any of its  Affiliates  who might be entitled to any fee or  commission
from TCI or TCI Sub or any of their Affiliates in connection with the execution,
delivery  or  performance  of  this  Agreement  or  the   consummation   of  the
Transactions.

     Section 4.8  Exchange  Offer.  The  Exchange  Offer shall be  conducted  in
compliance  with the 1933 Act,  the 1934 Act and any relevant  state  securities
laws  (provided  that no  representation  is made in this  Section 4.8 as to any
non-compliance  resulting  from actions of TCI, TCI Sub or their  Affiliates  or
from  information  included  in (or  omitted  from) the  Offering  Materials  or
Registration Statement).

                                    ARTICLE V
                                    ---------

                REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF TCI AND TCI SUB

     Each of TCI and TCI Sub jointly and  severally  represent and warrant to VI
that:

     Section 5.1  Corporate  Existence and Power.  It is (i) a corporation  duly
organized,  validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of
Delaware,  (ii) is  authorized  to transact  business and is in good standing in
each state in which its ownership of assets or conduct of business requires such
qualification,  and  (iii) has all  corporate  powers  required  to carry on its
business as now  conducted,  with such  exceptions as would not  materially  and
adversely affect its ability to consummate the Transactions to be consummated by
it.

     Section  5.2  Corporate   Authorization.   The   execution,   delivery  and
performance  by it  of  this  Agreement  and  the  consummation  by  it  of  the


                                       15

 
Transactions  to be consummated  by it are within its corporate  powers and have
been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on its part.

     Section  5.3  Governmental  Authorization.   The  execution,  delivery  and
performance  by it  of  this  Agreement,  and  the  consummation  by  it of  the
Transactions  to be  consummated  by it,  require  no  material  action by or in
respect of, or filing with, any governmental body, agency, official or authority
other than  compliance  with any  applicable  requirements  of the HSR Act,  the
Non-Cable   FCC   Authorizations,   the  FCC   Authorizations,   and  the  Local
Authorizations.

     Section 5.4 Consents.  Except as set out in Schedule 5.4, no consent by any
Person  under any  contract  to which it is a party or to which its  assets  are
subject is required or necessary for the execution,  delivery and performance by
it of  this  Agreement  or  the  consummation  by it of the  Transactions  to be
consummated  by it, with such  exceptions as would not  materially and adversely
affect its ability to consummate the Transactions to be consummated by it.

     Section 5.5 Non-Contravention.  The execution,  delivery and performance by
it of this Agreement and the consummation by it of the Transactions contemplated
to be consummated  by it pursuant  hereto do not and will not (x) contravene its
certificate of incorporation  or by-laws or (y) subject to obtaining,  making or
taking  the  actions  and  filings  described  in Section  5.3,  result in a, or
constitute a breach or default  (including  any event that,  with the passage of
time or giving of notice,  or both,  would become a breach or default) under any
applicable Legal Requirement or any judgment, order, decree, contract,  license,
lease, indenture,  mortgage,  loan agreement,  note, security agreement or other
agreement  or  instrument,  as to which  it is a party  or by  which  any of its
properties  may be bound,  the effect of which would  materially  and  adversely
impair its ability to consummate the Transactions to be consummated by it.

     Section 5.6 Binding  Effect.  This  Agreement  has been duly  executed  and
delivered by it and this Agreement constitutes its valid and binding obligation,
enforceable  against it in accordance with its terms,  except as  enforceability
may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,  moratorium
or similar laws  affecting  creditors'  rights  generally  or by the  principles
governing the availability of equitable remedies.

     Section 5.7 Finders' Fees. There is no investment banker, broker, finder or
other  intermediary which has been retained by or is authorized to act on behalf
of TCI,  TCI Sub,  RCS,  InterMedia  or any of  their  Affiliates  who  might be
entitled to any fee or commission from VI or any of its Affiliates in connection
with  the   execution,   delivery  or  performance  of  this  Agreement  or  the
consummation of the Transactions.


                                       16

 
                                   ARTICLE VI
                                   ----------

                              CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

     Section 6.1 Conditions to Obligations of VI. The  obligations of VI to take
the action  required to be taken by it  pursuant to Sections  2.1(c) and 2.4 are
subject to the satisfaction of each of the following  conditions,  each of which
may be waived by VI (except that the  conditions  contained in clauses (vii) and
(viii) may not be waived  without the prior consent of TCI Sub, such consent not
to be unreasonably withheld):

                    (i)       HSR Act. Any  applicable  waiting  period (and any
                              extension  thereof)  under the HSR Act shall  have
                              expired   or   been    terminated    without   the
                              commencement  or  threat  of any  litigation  by a
                              Governmental  Authority of competent  jurisdiction
                              to  restrain  the  consummation  of  the  Exchange
                              Offer,  Subscription  Agreement or other  material
                              action  contemplated  by  the  Transaction  in any
                              material respect.

                    (ii)      Consented  Subscribers.  The  number of  Consented
                              Subscribers   shall  be  not  less   than  90%  of
                              Estimated Exchange Date Basic Subscribers.

                    (iii)     Absence of Injunction. No order, stay, judgment or
                              decree  shall have been issued by any court and be
                              in   effect   restraining   or   prohibiting   the
                              consummation  of the  Transaction  in any material
                              respect.

                    (iv)      Tax  Matters.  VI  shall  be  satisfied  with  the
                              treatment of the  Transaction  for Federal  income
                              tax purposes.

                    (v)       Subscription Agreement. The Subscription Agreement
                              shall  remain in full  force and  effect and there
                              shall be no condition  to TCI's,  TCI Sub's or Old
                              VII's obligations  thereunder that is incapable of
                              being satisfied at the Expiration Time.

                    (vi)      Loans. The Loan Documentation shall have been duly
                              executed and delivered by all parties  thereto and
                              shall remain in full force and effect and VI shall
                              have received confirmation,  in form and substance
                              satisfactory  to it, that Old VII shall be able to
                              draw down Loan Proceeds in an aggregate  principal
                              amount equal to $1,700,000,000 (one billion, seven
                              hundred  million  dollars)  (the  "Aggregate  Loan
                              Amount")  thereunder on the Expiration  Date prior
                              to the Expiration Time and such Loan Proceeds that
                              are equal to the  Aggregate  Loan Amount  shall be
                              available  for transfer as a  contribution  to New
                              VII without  condition (but without  limiting VI's
                              obligation to provide the notice  required for the
                              release of funds from the Cash Collateral  Account
                              as specified in the definition of Cash  Collateral
                              Account)   prior   to   the   Exchange   Time   as
                              contemplated in the Implementation Agreement.


                                       17

 
                    (vii)     FCC.  All  consents  of the FCC listed on Schedule
                              4.9  of  the  Implementation   Agreement  and  all
                              Non-Cable  FCC  Authorizations   shall  have  been
                              obtained  and  shall  remain  in  full  force  and
                              effect.

                    (viii)    Registration    Statements.    The    Registration
                              Statement  and,  if the  effectiveness  of the TCI
                              Registration Statement is required by the 1933 Act
                              or  the  SEC  prior  to  the  consummation  of the
                              Exchange  Offer,  the TCI  Registration  Statement
                              shall have been  declared  effective,  and no stop
                              order   suspending   the   effectiveness   of  the
                              Registration Statement or, if the effectiveness of
                              the TCI Registration  Statement is required by the
                              1933 Act or the SEC prior to the  consummation  of
                              the   Exchange   Offer,   the   TCI   Registration
                              Statement,   shall   have  been   issued   and  no
                              proceeding   for  that  purpose  shall  have  been
                              initiated or threatened by the SEC.

     Section 6.2 Further  Condition.  The  obligations  of VI to take the action
required  to be taken by it  pursuant  to Section  2.4 is subject to the further
condition that VI shall have accepted  shares of VI Common Stock for exchange in
the Exchange Offer in accordance with Section 2.1(d).


                                   ARTICLE VII
                                   -----------

                                   TERMINATION

     Section 7.1 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior
to the Expiration Time:

                              (a) by written consent of VI, TCI and TCI Sub;

                              (b) by TCI or TCI Sub, if any condition  contained
                    in Article  VIII of the  Subscription  Agreement  has become
                    incapable  of  satisfaction  (other than if such  incapacity
                    results from actions or omissions of TCI or TCI Sub that are
                    in  contravention  of  the  provisions  of  the  Transaction
                    Documents);

                              (c) by VI, if any condition  contained in Sections
                    6.1 or  6.2  hereof  or in  Article  IX of the  Subscription
                    Agreement has become  incapable of satisfaction  (other than
                    if such  incapacity  results from actions or omissions of VI
                    or  its  Affiliates  that  are  in   contravention   of  the
                    provisions of the Transaction Documents);

                              (d) by TCI or TCI Sub, (x) if the Expiration  Time
                    has not occurred on or prior to the date that is twelve (12)
                    months  from the  date of this  Agreement  (other  than as a
                    result of (i) the  failure  by TCI or TCI Sub to  consummate
                    the transactions  contemplated hereby when all conditions to
                    their   obligations   contained   in  Article  VIII  of  the
                    Subscription  Agreement have been satisfied or waived,  (ii)
                    the  failure by TCI or TCI Sub or their  Affiliates  to duly
       


                                       18

 
                    comply  with  their   covenants  and   obligations   in  the
                    Transaction  Documents  or (iii) the  failure of a condition
                    contained in Sections 6.1 or 6.2 hereof or in Articles  VIII
                    or IX of the Subscription  Agreement  resulting from actions
                    or omissions of TCI or TCI Sub or their  Affiliates that are
                    in  contravention  of  the  provisions  of  the  Transaction
                    Documents) or (y) if the Exchange Offer has not commenced on
                    or prior to the date that is  eleven  (11)  months  from the
                    date of  this  Agreement  (other  than  as a  result  of the
                    failure  of a  condition  contained  in  Section  6.1 hereof
                    resulting  from  actions or  omissions  of TCI or TCI Sub or
                    their Affiliates that are in contravention of the provisions
                    of the Transaction Documents);

                              (e) by VI,  (x) if the  Expiration  Time  has  not
                    occurred on or prior to the date that its twelve (12) months
                    from the date of this  Agreement  (other than as a result of
                    (i)  the  failure  by  VI  to  consummate  the  transactions
                    contemplated  hereby when all conditions to its  obligations
                    contained  in  Section  6.1  hereof or in  Article IX of the
                    Subscription  Agreement have been satisfied or waived,  (ii)
                    the  failure by VI or its  Affiliates  to duly  comply  with
                    their  covenants  and  obligations   under  the  Transaction
                    Documents  or (iii) the failure of a condition  contained in
                    Sections  6.1 or 6.2 hereof or in Article  VIII or IX of the
                    Subscription  Agreement  resulting from actions or omissions
                    of VI or its  Affiliates  that are in  contravention  of the
                    provisions  of  the  Transaction  Documents)  or  (y) if the
                    Exchange  Offer  has not  commenced  on or prior to the date
                    that is eleven (11)  months from the date of this  Agreement
                    (other  than  as a  result  of the  failure  of a  condition
                    contained  in Section 6.1 hereof  resulting  from actions or
                    omissions of VI or its Affiliates that are in  contravention
                    of the provisions of the Transaction Documents); or

                              (f) by TCI,  TCI Sub or VI if the  Exchange  Offer
                    terminates or finally  expires  after one extension  thereof
                    without any shares of VI Common Stock  having been  accepted
                    for exchange by VI  thereunder  in  accordance  with Section
                    2.1(d).

If TCI, TCI Sub or VI terminates this Agreement  pursuant to the provisions
hereof, such termination will be effected by written notice to the other parties
specifying the provision hereof pursuant to which such termination is made.

     Section 7.2 Effect of Termination.  (a) Upon  termination of this Agreement
pursuant to Section 7.1 hereof, except as provided in clause (b) below: (i) this
Agreement will forthwith become null and void, (ii) such termination will be the
sole remedy with respect to any breach of any representation, warranty, covenant
or  agreement  contained  herein  and  (iii)  no  party  hereto  or any of their
respective  officers,  directors,   partners,  employees,  agents,  consultants,
shareholders  or principals  will have any liability or obligation  hereunder or
with respect hereto.

     (b) The  provisions of clause (a) above  notwithstanding,  no party will be
relieved  of:  (i)  liability  for any  breach  of  Articles  IV and V and  (ii)
liability for any breach of any material covenant or agreement  contained herein
or made pursuant  hereto,  provided,  however,  that no party to this  Agreement


                                       19

 
shall be entitled to recover  consequential  damages in respect of any breach of
this  Agreement or any other  Transaction  Document.  The provisions of Sections
2.1(f), 2.1(g),  2.3(iii),  3.7, 7.2, 8.1, 8.8 and 8.10 will survive termination
hereof.


                                  ARTICLE VIII
                                  ------------ 

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

     Section 8.1 Expenses.  Except as expressly  set forth herein,  the fees and
expenses (including the fees of any lawyers, accountants,  investment bankers or
others  engaged  by such  party)  in  connection  with  this  Agreement  and the
transactions  contemplated  hereby whether or not the Transaction is consummated
will be paid by the party incurring the same.

     Section 8.2 Headings.  The section  headings  herein are for convenience of
reference  only, do not constitute part of this Agreement and will not be deemed
to limit  or  otherwise  affect  any of the  provisions  hereof.  References  to
Sections and Exhibits,  unless otherwise  indicated,  are references to Sections
and Exhibits hereof.

     Section  8.3  Notices.  Any  notice  or  other  communication  required  or
permitted to be given hereunder will be in writing and will be mailed by prepaid
registered or certified mail, timely deposited with an overnight courier such as
Federal Express, or delivered against receipt, as follows:

                  (a)      In the case of TCI and TCI Sub, to:

                                    Tele-Communications, Inc.
                                    Terrace Tower II
                                    5619 DTC Parkway
                                    Englewood, CO  80111-3000
                                    Attention:  Chief Executive Officer,
                                    with a copy similarly addressed to the
                                    attention of General Counsel

                  (b)      In the case of VI to:

                                    Viacom Inc.
                                    1515 Broadway
                                    New York, NY  10036
                                    Attention:  General Counsel

                           with a copy to:

                                    Hughes Hubbard & Reed
                                    One Battery Park Plaza
                                    New York, NY  10004
                                    Attention:  Ed Kaufmann, Esq.


                                       20

 
or to such  other  address  as the  party  may  have  furnished  in  writing  in
accordance  with  the  provisions  of this  Section  8.3.  Any  notice  or other
communication  shall be  deemed  to have  been  given,  made and  received  upon
receipt.  Either  party  may  change  the  address  to which  notices  are to be
addressed by giving the other party notice in the manner herein set forth.

     Section 8.4  Assignment.  This Agreement and all provisions  hereof will be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
successors,  however,  neither  this  Agreement  nor  any  right,  interest,  or
obligation  hereunder  may be  assigned  by any  party  hereto  (other  than  by
operation of law) without the prior written  consent of the other  parties,  and
any such assignment or purported assignment without such consent shall be void.

     Section  8.5  Entire  Agreement.  This  Agreement  together  with the other
Transaction  Documents  embody the entire  agreement  and  understanding  of the
parties with respect to the transactions  contemplated  hereby and supersede all
prior written or oral commitments,  arrangements or understandings  with respect
thereto.

     Section 8.6  Amendment;  Waiver.  (a) This Agreement may only be amended or
modified in writing  signed by the party  against whom  enforcement  of any such
amendment or modification is sought.

     (b) Any party hereto may, by an  instrument  in writing,  waive  compliance
with any term or  provision  of this  Agreement  on the part of such other party
hereto.  The waiver by any party  hereto of a breach of any term or provision of
this Agreement will not be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach.

     Section 8.7  Counterparts.  This  Agreement  may be executed in two or more
counterparts,  all of which will be  considered  one and the same  agreement and
each of which  will be deemed an  original.  All  signatures  need not be on one
counterpart.

     Section 8.8 Governing  Law. THIS  AGREEMENT WILL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF
THE STATE OF NEW YORK  (REGARDLESS  OF THE LAWS THAT MIGHT BE  APPLICABLE  UNDER
PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW) AS TO ALL MATTERS,  INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
MATTERS OF VALIDITY, CONSTRUCTION, EFFECT AND PERFORMANCE.

     Section  8.9  Severability.  If any one or more of the  provisions  of this
Agreement  is  held to be  invalid,  illegal  or  unenforceable,  the  validity,
legality or  enforceability  of the remaining  provisions of this Agreement will
not be  affected  thereby,  and VI,  TCI and TCI Sub will use  their  reasonable
efforts to substitute one or more valid, legal and enforceable  provisions which
insofar as practicable  implement the purposes and intent hereof.  To the extent
permitted  by  applicable  law,  each party  waives any  provision  of law which
renders any provision of this Agreement invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any
respect.

     Section 8.10  Consent to  Jurisdiction.  Each party  hereby  submits to the
non-exclusive  jurisdiction of the courts of general  jurisdiction of the States
of New York and Colorado and the federal courts of the United States of America,


                                       21

 
located  in the City of New  York,  New York,  and  Denver,  Colorado  solely in
respect  of the  interpretation  and  enforcement  of  the  provisions  of  this
Agreement  and hereby  waives,  and  agrees  not to assert,  as a defense in any
action,  suit  or  proceeding  for the  interpretation  or  enforcement  of this
Agreement that it is not subject thereto or that such action, suit or proceeding
may not be brought or is not  maintainable in such courts or that this Agreement
may not be  enforced  in or by such  courts  or that its  property  is exempt or
immune from  execution,  that the suit,  action or  proceeding  is brought in an
inconvenient  forum,  or that the venue of the suit,  action  or  proceeding  is
improper.  Service of process with respect thereto may be made upon any party by
mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to such
party at its address as provided in Section 8.3 hereof, provided that service of
process may be accomplished in any other manner permitted by applicable law.

     Section 8.11 Third Person Beneficiaries. This Agreement is not intended and
shall not be  construed  to confer  upon any Person  (other than VI, TCI and TCI
Sub) any rights or remedies hereunder.

     Section 8.12 Specific  Performance.  VI, TCI and TCI Sub recognize that any
breach of any covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement may give rise to
irreparable  harm for which money damages would not be an adequate  remedy,  and
accordingly agree that, in addition to other remedies,  any non-breaching  party
will be entitled to enforce the agreements and covenants contained herein of TCI
and TCI Sub or VI,  as the case  may be,  by a decree  of  specific  performance
without the necessity of proving the inadequacy as a remedy of money damages.

     Section 8.13 Survival.  The representations and warranties  contained in or
made pursuant to this  Agreement  shall  terminate and be of no further force on
and as of April 30, 1997.




                                       22

 
     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties  hereto have caused this  Agreement to be
duly executed in New York, New York, as of the day and year first above written.


                                   VIACOM INC.



                                   By:  /s/ Philippe P. Dauman
                                      ---------------------------------
                                      Name:  Philippe P. Dauman
                                      Title: Executive Vice President


                                   TELE-COMMUNICATIONS, INC.



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



                                   TCI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.



                                   By:  /s/ Gary S. Howard
                                       --------------------------------  
                                       Name:  Gary S. Howard
                                       Title: Senior Vice President