TN Govt. to nationalise cable TV network

The newly-elected Tamil Nadu government is set to nationalise the private cable TV operation in the state. As it promised in the election manifesto, the AIADMK Govt. has decided to end the near monopoly business by Sumangali Cable Vision, a subsidiary of the Maran media company.

Governor Surjit Singh Barnala on Friday announced that the government will revive the Arasu Cable TV Corporation operations in the state. He said, “This government will revive its activities in public interest and nationalise private cable TV operations in the State without affecting the interest of the last mile local cable operators."

The Arasu Cable TV Corporation was formed by the previous DMK government to counter the Sumangali Cable Vision during the rift between Maran Brothers and Karunanidhi family in 2007. But it became defunct after they patched-up.

The Tamil Nadu Cable TV Operators" Association and Federation of Cable TV Associations (South India), have welcomed the government's decision. The move will not affect the small cable operators rather and it will benefit subscribers, as the J Jayalalitha Govt. wants to provide the cable TV services at reasonable rates.