Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Cable TV row

This refers to the article "Will it stand the test of law?" (Jan. 23) on the Tamil Nadu Government's move to take over major cable television networks in the State. SCV and Hathway have been running monopolistic trade in Chennai — some areas are served by only one of them — and the end consumers are at the mercy of local operators whose business is guaranteed by the MSOs anyway.

While TRAI regulations encourage more MSOs on paper, political clout makes it almost impossible for any new entrant to foray into the business. At the same time, Government takeover is no answer as one of the basic tenets of liberalisation is to do away with state-run enterprises. The current move is at best a welcome stopgap solution.

R. Sundara Srinivasan,
Chennai

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's proposal to start a new cable network regime across the State is welcome. It will benefit all sections of cable TV viewers who are being charged exorbitant subscriptions by operators.

The move to take over major MSOs, though in the right direction, is easier said than done. It will have to undergo a protracted legal battle with people who wield political and financial clout.

G.R. Nagarajan,
Coimbatore

The Government's proposal is laudable. It should ensure that subscribers are able to view all channels, including existing pay channels, at an affordable cost. There should, however, be no politics involved in the selection of free to air channels.

M.N. Srinivasan,
Vellore, T.N.

The proposed takeover should bring relief to people in the clutches of those who have been dominating cable TV operations. In the interests of the people, it is important for the Government to keep the operations under control.

S. Jayachandran,
Chennai

The Tamil Nadu Government deserves praise from all television viewers.

K.S. Ramasubramaniyan,
Chennai

While the Government's intention cannot be faulted, the manner in which the bill was introduced raises many questions. To begin with, only two cable TV networks operating in Chennai were targeted but it seems distributors across the State have been brought under its purview to make the move more acceptable.

R. Ramarathinam,
Pondicherry

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