Complaints pile up against Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV on quality

Another issue revolves some four channels which, after renting channels from existing seniors and after affixing their logo at the top or bottom of the screen, have been showing soft porn movies after 10.30 pm to score higher TRP points. TACTV operates channels on the S, U, V and E bands with S being the highest and most sought after. A total of 30 channels have registered with TACTV to provide infotainment to its viewers. 

An insider said, “those affiliated to the ruling party and ruling party channels occupy S band. When a newcomer pays enough to enter S, he is accommodated and a band – due to limited space in each band - from there is downgraded to U band. Two days ago, a popular channel was thus downgraded without notice – a common practice – and the owner knew only when he switched on the TV.” Regarding the 4 channels using soft porn, sources revealed that two were recommended by a state minister.

Former CM Jayalalithaa launched cable TV services in TN (except Chennai) by switching on the Head End at Vellore on 2.9.2011. Similarly, services for Chennai metro were started on 20.10.2012. These moves followed her announcing in the state assembly that TACTV would provide quality services at an affordable Rs 70 per month of which Rs 20 was earmarked for cable operators. This is in sharp contrast to the past when some MSOs (Multi System Operators) using the unorganised nature of the industry to create a monopoly forcing local operators and consumers to pay up to Rs 250 a month for services.

TACTV with more than 100 channels “plans to increase subscribership to 1 crore due to the good response evinced by operators and the public. Subscribers increased from slightly less than 5 lakhs in 2011 to more than 70 lakhs in 2015” a senior official said. TACTV has chosen 1,200 Private Local Channels and issued allotment orders, out of which approximately 800 Private Local Channels are running through TACTV.

The post of TACTV chairman is yet to be filled following the last incumbent Udumalai Radhakrishnan completing his tenure. Corporation MD and information department director J Kumaragurubaran could not be reached for comments. Tamil Nadu Satellite Broadcasters Association general secretary Vasanthakumar said that lack of cooperation among association members was the prime reason for the association being unable to demand action from the government. Members having political affiliation makes it all the more difficult. On some rented channels showing soft porn, he said “this appears in some form, but most know their limits.” Association president Devanathan said that there has been no response from the government though the matter was brought to their notice many times with regard to channels being pushed from higher bands to those lower.