145;No move to hit cable TV operators146;

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on Thursday clarified that his Government8217;s decision to launch a corporation for cable TV operations

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on Thursday clarified that his Government8217;s decision to launch a corporation for cable TV operations in the state was not intended to take over cable network operations but to augment revenue for the state exchequer. He allayed fears that the Government corporation would affect the livelihood of cable television operators.

8220;Certain people are bent on maligning the Government scheme as it would affect their plans to monopolise the cable television network in the state,8221; Karunanidhi said. He was referring to opposition from Sumangali Cable Vision SCV, the multi-system operator owned by the Maran brothers.

8220;They have well known lawyers to support them and are instigating cable TV operators,8221; Karunanidhi said, urging operators 8220;not to be deceived8221; and welcomed them to join the cable TV network of the Government corporation. The Government was well aware of the 8220;secret plans by some8221; to instigate cable TV operators against the proposed Corporation, he said.

Referring to allegations by cable television operators that the DMK was no different from the previous AIADMK regime which sought to take over MSOs, Karunanidhi said the proposed corporation would be like just another network. The corporation would provide links to private operators unlike what was intended by the previous AIADMK Government which sought 8220;to monopolise8221; the entire distribution system, he said. Moreover, the corporation would not be involved in providing connections to individual houses, as that would be the job of the private cable TV operators, he said.

A section of cable television operators in Tamil Nadu had on Wednesday said the estrangement between Karunanidhi and his grandnephews, Kalanidhi and Dayanidhi Maran, was affecting their business. The reaction came even as reports began to pour in about Kalaignar TV doing a trial run on the Raj TV channel much ahead of its scheduled launch on September 15.

Kayal R S Ilavarasu, state president, Tamil Nadu Cable TV Urimaiyalargal Sangam, said Kalaignar TV was telecast on the S10 frequency on which Raj TV was being telecast in many parts of Chennai after 6 pm. Raj TV was being telecast on the S3 frequency instead.