Spotlight on TCA Cable TV Inc.: The...

Spotlight on TCA Cable TV Inc.: The Tyler, Tex.-based company, which employs about 780, is the largest cable provider in Arkansas and ranks 25th nationwide. The company has recently invested more than $100 million to upgrade all of its cable systems from copper to fiber-optic cable, which will vastly expand channel capacity and enhance existing pay-per-view services. According to a company spokesperson, the impending launch of Direct Broadcast Satellite systems--which require only an 18-inch satellite dish to receive--is causing TCA to focus on strengthening its customer service capabilities.

Major Properties Cable: Owns or manages 53 systems in Arkansas, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Texas

Subscribers: 450,000, primarily in rural areas where over-the-air television reception is unsatisfactory

Production: “Home Front News”

Financial Data

Market capitalization: $644.8 million

Cash: $0.8 million

Term debt: $163.3 million

1992 revenue: $138.8 million

1992 profit: $15.0 million

Earnings per share: $0.61