Television and OTT producers from Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam industries have come together to form the Television and OTT Producers Council of South, aiming to create a common platform for producer welfare, coordination and industry growth.
TAPCOS Officially Formed For South TV And OTT Producers
A historic new step has been taken for the South Indian television and OTT industry with the formation of the Television and OTT Producers Council of South, also known as TAPCOS. The council has been formed after nearly two and a half years of discussions among television producers from Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam industries. After several rounds of meetings, the representatives of all four southern states came together in Chennai in January 2026 and decided to build a common platform for television and OTT producers. Following this, the required registration process, bylaws and working structure were completed. The official details of the new council were announced at a press meet attended by representatives from the four states.
A Common Platform For Four South Industries
TAPCOS has been formed with the aim of bringing producers from Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam television and OTT industries under one coordinated platform. Speaking at the press meet, TAPCOS president A Prasad Rao said this is a memorable day for the South Indian television and OTT industry. He explained that this is the first time producer councils from four southern states have come together to work as one organization. According to him, the idea came from the experience and achievements of the Telugu Television and OTT Producers Council, which has completed nearly 15 years of service. The Telugu council was originally formed in 2011 under the guidance of Dasari Narayana Rao and Tammareddy Bharadwaja and later created bylaws and working patterns from 2012.
Why TAPCOS Became Necessary
In recent years, inter-state television and OTT production activities have increased significantly. Producers, actors and technicians are now working across different southern industries more frequently. Telugu producers are working in Kannada, Tamil and Malayalam industries, while artists and technicians from those states are also entering Telugu television and OTT projects. Because of this growing exchange, producers felt the need for better coordination between the four industries. TAPCOS was created to handle common issues such as producer rights, working culture, artist exchange, technician exchange, production discipline and welfare-related matters. The council aims to respect the individual culture and working pattern of every language industry while creating common guidelines for shared challenges.
Bylaws Prepared After Detailed Discussions
One of the major achievements of TAPCOS is the creation of its bylaws. A Prasad Rao said there were no ready-made guidelines for forming such a South Indian television and OTT producers’ body. The members had to study every issue carefully, understand the needs of producers from all four states and prepare a clear working framework. After nearly six months of effort involving representatives from Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam industries, the bylaws were finalized. These bylaws were officially launched at the press meet. The council believes this will remain an important milestone in the history of South Indian language television industries.
Focus On Welfare, Rights And Industry Discipline
The main aim of TAPCOS is to protect the welfare, rights and dignity of television and OTT producers across the four southern states. The council also plans to represent industry concerns before state governments and seek better facilities for producers. A Prasad Rao said television has grown into a major industry and should be recognized separately from cinema. He pointed out that thousands of people depend on the television industry for their livelihood, including producers, actors, technicians and workers. In Telugu television alone, nearly 15,000 people are connected to the industry. With such a large workforce, TAPCOS wants to create a structured and productive environment for television and OTT production.
Leaders From Tamil, Kannada And Malayalam Industries Extend Support
TAPCOS vice-president Uday Shankar, who represents the Tamil Nadu television and OTT association, said he was happy that producers from four South Indian languages have come together. He added that producers in different states have faced similar problems for years and that a common council can help find practical solutions. Karnataka executive member Sunil Kumar J K said the Kannada industry was inspired by the organized functioning of the Telugu producers’ council. He said the new council would help all industries move forward together. Kerala organizing secretary Krishnan Sethukumar also called the formation of TAPCOS a historic day for the South Indian television industry and requested everyone’s support for its future growth.
Inspired By Telugu Television Producers Council
Several speakers at the press meet appreciated the Telugu Television and OTT Producers Council for its organized and disciplined working style. Chennai organizing secretary Raja Velu said producers in Tamil Nadu had heard about the strong structure of the Hyderabad producers’ council and were inspired after seeing its functioning directly. He said the new council was born from several discussions on common challenges faced by producers, including artist availability, cross-industry work patterns and production losses. Treasurer D Y Chowdary thanked all producers and representatives who attended the event and supported the formation of TAPCOS.
Next Goal Is A National Producers Council
TAPCOS leaders also revealed their larger future vision. After building a strong South Indian platform, the next target is to create an Indian Council of Television and OTT Producers by bringing producers from all Indian language industries together. The council believes that a national platform will help address larger industry issues and bring more recognition to television and OTT producers. For now, TAPCOS begins its journey with the goal of strengthening coordination among the four South Indian television and OTT industries. With clear bylaws, producer support and representatives from four states, the council is expected to play an important role in shaping the future of South Indian television and digital content production.
