Cable TV operators want State to ensure nationalisation does not affect them

While welcoming the Tamil Nadu government's plan to nationalise the cable TV network at the top level and looking forward to the prospect of Arasu Cable Corporation playing the role of Multi System Operator and distributor, cable operators urge the government to leave their trade untouched.

The State executive meeting of the Thamizhaga Cable TV Urimayalargal Sangam convened here on Thursday passed a resolution to this effect, among others, that reflect their thinking on how the nationalisation of the cable TV network should be executed.

A resolution asks the government to take the distribution rights of all pay channels and route them to the viewers through cable operators. They want the government to ensure that not a single cable operator is affected by the nationalisation. “Let the government provide channel signals only to existing cable operators who should be allowed to give connections to the individuals as ever,” they insist.

“Digital signals should be made available everywhere and set top boxes should be provided free or at subsidized cost; a committee consisting nine members, including government officials and representatives of cable operators, shall be appointed to act as a bridge between Arasu Cable Corporation and cable operators and to sort out issues that may arise while nationalising the cable TV network; a cap shall be fixed for the number of local channels and they may be regularised and provided approval; revenue generated by allowing local channels could be utilised by Arasu Cable Corporation; Tamil language channels shall be given priority and prime band; the corporation shall provide broadband services through cable and expand revenue; government shall charge every DTH connection so as to prevent big corporates from monopolising the sector,” are the other demands passed as resolutions at the meeting.

Speaking to reporters at the end of the meeting, the association's State president Karur K.M.Arumugam said: “The previous (DMK) regime decided to nationalise cable TV network when differences cropped up in their family. They started Arasu Cable Corporation and spent several crore rupees on it. However, they deserted the corporation when the differences within the family were sorted out. But we believe that the present AIADMK government would go ahead firmly with the idea of nationalising cable TV network.”