Chennai: A section of Cable TV operators from Tamil Nadu had decided to break away from Tamizhaga Cable TV Operators Association (TCOA) to form a new association that will be called the Tamil Nadu State Cable TV Operators’ Association.
The new cable TV operators’ association will be launched today (Monday) in order to cater to the last mile cable operators.
“Scores of last mile cable operators are suffering. The existing associations don’t seem to care about us,”said S. Santhanam, president of the new Association. “The association will work with the government and private Multi System Operators (MSOs) to ensure that the last mile operators don’t face hardships”.
According to him, cable operators from all the 32 districts in the State and belonging to various other cable associations are likely to join them on Monday.
“At least 1,500-2,500 operators will join us. We will work for the benefit of last mile operators. We will provide insurance, medical aid, educational help etc. This will be funded in association with broadcasters,” Mr. Santhanam said.
He further said they were in talks with broadcasters to ensure that the last mile operators too received their share of carriage fee. “All these years, this share of carriage fee never reached the last mile cable operators,”added Santhanam.
The prevailing confusion in Tamil Nadu over the future of Arasu Cable TV is considered as one among the reason for the split between different groups as the Govt corporation is yet to procure the STBs for digitization as mandated by the I&B Ministry. Meeting the revised deadline of completion of the digitization process before the end of August looks like an unachievable task.
