CM warns Sun network of legal action on ACTC feed share issue

Chennai, Sep 4 (UNI) The ongoing 'Cable War' between the Marans- owned Sun Network and M K Azhagiri's Royal Cable Vision (RCV) today took another turn with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi warning of legal action against the Sun Network if it did not share the feeds with the state-owned Arasu Cable TV Corporation (ACTC).

In a statement here, he said taking legal action would become inevitable if the Sun Network continued its mudslinging campaign against the ACTC.

Coming to the defence of RCV, floated by his Madurai-based son Azhagiri, the Chief Minister said in a democracy, anyone could venture into any business.

The Sun TV's claim that launching of RCV was aimed at scuttling ACTC operations in Madurai was imaginary, he said and added that whichever be the MSO operator, it should function only with the cooperation of the ACTC.

Describing the fears that ACTC would not beam in Madurai, Mr Karunanidhi said from September 15 onwards ACTC would start functioning in Madurai, Chennai and Tirunelveli.

Singling out Sun Network for not sharing its channel feeds to the ACTC, Mr Karunanidhi said when every other channels like Jaya TV and Makkal TV had associated itself with the ACTC, the Sun Network's attitude revealed its adamant nature.

''Is it not the duty of a channel to share its feed with the cable operators, he asked.

Referring to the Sun-promoted MSO SCV and Azhagiri's RCV row in Madurai, the Chief Minister said he had directed police to take strict action against those involved in disturbing peace in in Madurai.

Mr Karunanidhi also described as ''blatant lie,'' Sun Network's claim that it was not sharing its feed with the ACTC.

''According to their statement they are holding talks with the authorities. This means that they had not shared the feeds so far. This is the truth,'' he added.

It may be recalled that eversince the Marans, the grand nephews of Mr Karunanidhi, fell out of favour of the first family of the State, the Tamil Nadu government formed the ACTC aimed at scuttling the monopoly enjoyed by the largest MSO SCV in the state.

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