Red River Cable TV ended operations July 1^st.  Owners Jimmy and Melinda Hardy retired.  They are in the process of dismantling the system.

Hardy said, “It was a real struggle making the decision, but it was time.  We had to do it.”  Red River Cable opened in 1980 as the only cable system in the parish.  Since then additional competitors have entered the market.

“There was too much expense,” said Hardy, “there was too much competition and expense to remain a viable company.  I had done it all my life but it was time to retire.”

He cited increasing expenses to operate and a decreasing customer base as major factor in the decision to cease operations.   Hardy told The Journal the fees for his cable being attached to utility poles had almost tippled in recent years.  Every channel he carried charges a fee based upon the number of subscribers.

“It was a real struggle, making that decision, but it was what I had to do,” said Hardy.