<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
INTERMEDIA CAPITAL PARTNERS IV, L.P.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                                                
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996    
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996    
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996    
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1    
<CASH>                                           8,770    
<SECURITIES>                                    88,755    
<RECEIVABLES>                                   17,539    
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (2,130)    
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                60,663
<PP&E>                                         230,055<F1>
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 996,699
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           64,456
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      73,816
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   996,699
<SALES>                                        106,417
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               106,417
<CGS>                                           22,881<F2>
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  122,631
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (1,216)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              37,742
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (48,488)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0    
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0    
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0    
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 18,483    
<CHANGES>                                            0    
<NET-INCOME>                                  (27,729)    
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0    
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0    
<FN>
<F1>PP&E IS SHOWN NET OF ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION.
<F2>INCLUDES PROGRAM FEES AND OTHER DIRECT EXPENSES
</FN>