Arasu Cable TV offers 90 channels for Rs 70

CHENNAI: Putting an end to the monopoly in Cable TV business in the State, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Tuesday announced that the Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation Limited will start its services from September 2 and provide 90 channels for a monthly fee of Rs 70 in all districts except Chennai. Since talks were going on with the pay channels, the Arasu Cable TV will initially telecast only free-to-air channels.So far, 34,344 cable operators and MSOs, who have at present 1.45 crore connections, have registered themselves with the TACTV, the CM said. Thanks to the low payment for the cable connection, the people could save `70 to `100. Arrangements have been made for round-the-clock maintenance of the telecast centres and to provide uninterrupted service to the people. The TACTV would collect Rs 20 per connection from the cable TV operators.Making a suo motu statement here, fulfilling one of the electoral promises of the AIADMK that it would put an end to the monopoly in cable TV business and take steps to provide cable TV at a lower price, the government quick step head-ends at Thanjavur, Tirunelveli, Coimbatore and Vellore have been repaired and head-ends in 27 districts have been taken on rental basis. The CM recalled that the Arasu Cable TV Corporation was started during the DMK regime in 2007 and launched its services in July, 2008 and provided more than 50,000 connections. Later, due to the selfish attitude of those in power, the number of connections were reduced just to 432 as on March 31, 2011. Meanwhile, around 500  cable operators have joined the Arasu Cable TV Corporation in Coimbatore, where service is said to begin on the same day.