Tenn. Code § 7-59-103
Any cable television company, cable service provider or video service provider incorporated under the laws of this state and any other such company incorporated or operating under the laws of any other state, upon complying with the laws of this state regulating the doing of business in this state by foreign corporations or foreign businesses, may, upon approval of the governing body of the city, county or department construct, maintain and operate its cable over or beneath any of the public lands of this state, but not including the freeway system, which is defined as a fully-controlled access facility, or over or beneath or along any of the highways or public roads of the state or over or beneath any of the waters of the state. The cable television company, cable service provider or video service provider shall, unless previously covered by court decree, where possible and practical, enter into an agreement with the telephone company or electric power distribution company whereby the cable television company, cable or video service provider has a right to attach its cable to the poles owned by the telephone company or electric power company or to bury its cables beneath the ground; provided, that the cable is constructed so as not to endanger the safety of persons or to interfere with the use of the public lands, highways or public roads or the navigation of such waters. The agency charged with the maintenance of the public lands, highways, or along the public lands, highways, public roads or waters of the state shall provide that the cable television company, cable or video service provider obtain a permit prior to placing its cables over, under or along the public lands, highways, public roads or waters. If both electrical and telephone facilities in an area are underground, then the cable television, cable service or video service lines in that area shall also be placed underground. If the cable is located in such a manner so as to contribute to interference with the right of ingress or egress to land that is subject to any easement, the cable television company, cable service or video service provider shall obtain the consent of the landowner, the landowner's heirs or assigns from which the original easement was obtained.
T.C.A. § 7-59-103