1.   An executive familiar with the talks said Time Warner was now prepared to pay a premium to all holders of class C shares.

2.   -- Class C shares charge no up-front fee.

3.   But anyone can buy the class C shares, which, incidentally, will also be in line for a higher dividend, should the company ever pay one.

4.   But there were also opponents among the farm credit banks that own the B shares and the presidential appointees who arguably represent the nonvoting, publicly traded C shares.

5.   Class C shares are convertible on a one-for-one basis with Class A shares.

6.   Class C shares generally have the highest long-term costs, and are suitable only for funds that will be held for just a few years.

7.   He said this would not change the value of the deal appreciably because Comcast and Continental own a very small number of class C shares.

8.   Series C shares have full voting rights and can be owned by Mexicans and foreigners.

9.   The current United Funds also offer A, B and C shares.

10.   Vice president Peter Mangan says C shares accommodate investors who know what they want.