OH, LEO: HINDERY SAYS NFL TV DEAL WILL UP CABLE RATES

          TCI President Leo Hindery said yesterday that the
     upcoming NFL TV rights contract "will drive up cable rates
     next year," according to Tim Jones of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. 
     Hindery said the NFL TV deal "will add more pressure to
     cable rates, which this year went up an average" of 8.5%
     nationally.  Hindery predicted the resulting rate increase
     will be "in the mid-single digits."  Hindery said that
     recent record sports contracts put cable operators "in a no-
     win situation with their customers because the costs are
     ultimately passed on in the form of higher rates."  Hindery:
     "These numbers are hurting my relationship with my
     customers.  It's everything that I can do to explain that
     ... it ain't me, buddy" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 12/18).