SALEM: In a sudden move, following reports that private cable service continued to operate along with State government network, the district administration today ordered private operators to stop all pay channels and to join the government network.Following this, two main MSOs switched off all pay channels and connected themselves with the Arasu Cable network. The MSOs Polymer and CTN serve about 2 lakh and 1.5 lakh connections respectively through tail end operators. The government had already stated that existing tail end operators would not be affected. The MSOs had also expressed interest in joining the government network. As many as 1000 new operators have also applied to join the Arasu Cable TV. As of Friday, only 198 operators had been enlisted with the Arasu Cable.But despite the launch of the government network, private operators and MSOs continued to provide pay channels as Sun and Star groups were out of the Arasu Cable network and no decision regarding the selection of applicants had also been made. Around 10.30 am on Saturday, the district administration stepped in and ordered the MSOs and tail end operators to stop airing pay channels. Collector K Maharabushanam confirmed that the district administration ordered to stop giving signals of pay channels.Arasu Cable Networks district consultant Renganathan claimed that as many as 1.5 lakh connections have been brought into the Arasu Cable TV network and 500 operators have joined the new service. Barring Attur taluk, where there was a delay due to technical hiccups, the Arasu Cable has penetrated into all parts of the district, he said. Renganathan said efforts were being made at the State level to bring in the pay channels into the government’s fold. However industry sources are highly skeptical that the Sun group could be brought into the government network.
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