Arasu Cable Corporation
With just three days to go for the launch of the first phase of 'Arasu Cable
TV Corporation Ltd' in Thanjavur on July 15, local cable TV operators (LCOs) and a multi system operator (MSO) are at loggerheads on how Arasu's signals should be routed. The corporation, however, has not revealed if the signals would be given directly to the LCOs or through an existing MSO from whom cable operators presently source their signals.
Thomson Grass Valley of France has been asked to set up the digital control rooms and they are importing digital head-ends which would distribute signals.
If there is a deficiency in service, the customer can complain to the ACTVC. Complaints can be made with regard to LCOs overcharging the customer than the prescribed rate, disruption in service for a long time, and the like. The ACTVC has also come forward to provide set-top boxes and cable connection to the consumers directly, if the local cable operator does not sign up with the ACTVC.
The Tamil Nadu Government on Saturday fixed Rs 100 as the monthly subscription rate for availing of cable TV connection from the State-owned Cable TV Corporation, even while the operators were apprehensive that only free channels could be aired for Rs 100 and not the pay channels. cable operators wanted the inclusion of pay channels like Star Sports in the ACTC package.
The operators said that for providing a single connection and maintaining it, they had to spend Rs 35 in urban areas and Rs 60 in rural areas. The cable operators were paying around Rs 20 crore to the pay channels.There is a possibility that the viewers would switch over to Direct To Home service if they are charged Rs 100 for free to air channels.
Last heard is Rs 100 max for 70 channels which will also include Pay channels.
Thanjavur- Antennae and other equipment have been installed and a master control room is ready at Thanjavur Cauvery Wholesale Super Market Building. Eight dish antenna's fromFrance have been installed. The control room will cover eight districts - Tiruchi, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur Pudukottai, Ariyalur, Perambalur and Karur. There are about 18000 cable connections in Thanjavur town. About 500 cable operators have joined Arasu cable corporation. At present they collect Rs 100 to Rs 120 per customer. Arasu has stipulated not to collect more than 100. Almost all the cable TV operators have been approved by the Government and it has also assured to take the programmes through them to households.
Source:
Chennai television: Arasu Cable Corporation update
