content: <PAGE>   1
        As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 8, 1997
                                                    Registration No. 333-_________
  ================================================================================
  
                         SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549
  
                              --------------------
  
                                      FORM S-8
                          REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
                               SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
  
                              --------------------
  
                                 TCA CABLE TV, INC.
               (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
  
  
                  Texas                                   75-1798185
     (State or other jurisdiction of       (I.R.S. employer identification number)
      incorporation or organization)                        
  
  
                                 3015 SSE Loop 323
                                 Tyler, Texas 75701
                      (Address of principal executive offices)
  
                              --------------------
  
                         EMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION AGREEMENT
                           DATED NOVEMBER 1, 1994 BETWEEN
                      DARRELL CAMPBELL AND TCA CABLE TV, INC.
                              (Full title of the Plan)
  
                              --------------------
  
                                  ROBERT M. ROGERS
                                 3015 SSE Loop 323
                                 Tyler, Texas 75701
            (Name and address of agent for service of agent for service)
                                   (903) 595-3701
                      (Telephone number, including area code,
                               of agent for service)
  
                              --------------------
  
                                      COPY TO:
                                 JAMES S. RYAN, III
                              Jackson & Walker, L.L.P.
                                  901 Main Street
                                     Suite 6000
                                Dallas, Texas  75202
  
                          CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
  
  <TABLE>
  <CAPTION>
  ====================================================================================
                                                  Proposed     Proposed               
                                                  Maximum      Maximum       Amount    
             Title of               Amount        Offering     Aggregate       of      
            Securities               to be       Price Per     Offering   Registration
         to be Registered         Registered     Share (1)     Price (1)    Fee (1)
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   <S>                              <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>
   Common Stock, $.10 par value   5,000 shares      $33.625      $168,125     $100.00
  ====================================================================================
  </TABLE>
  
  (1)  Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee.  
       Pursuant to Rule 457(c) and 457(h), registration fee is based on a price of
       $33.625 per share, which price is an average of the high and low prices of
       the Common Stock on the National Association of Securities Dealers
       Automated Quotation National Market System on May 2, 1997.  Because the
       registration fee amounted to less than the minimum, the minimum
       registration fee of $100.00 is being submitted.
          
       Pursuant to General Instruction E of Form S-8, with respect to the shares
       registered under the Employment Compensation Agreement dated November 1,
       1994 by and between Darrell Campbell and TCA Cable TV, Inc., this
       Registration Statement incorporates by reference the contents of the
       Registrant's Registration Statement No. 333-1487 on Form S-8, including all
       exhibits attached thereto.
  <PAGE>   2
  
  
                                  EXPLANATORY NOTE
  
  This Registration Statement on Form S-8 relates to the additional 5,000 shares
  of Common Stock issuable pursuant to provisions of the Employment Compensation
  Agreement dated November 1, 1994 by and between Darrell Campbell and TCA Cable
  TV, Inc.
  <PAGE>   3
                                      PART II
                 INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
  
  ITEM 3.  INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.
  
  The following documents, which have been filed with the Commission by TCA Cable
  TV, Inc. (the "Company"), are incorporated herein by reference and made a part
  hereof:
  
  (i)Annual Report of the Company on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31,
  1996 (the "Annual Report");
  
  (ii)All other reports filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a) or
  15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"),
  since the end of the fiscal year covered by the documents referred to in the
  Annual Report; and
  
  (iii)Description of the Common Stock contained in the Company's Registration
  Statement on Form S-1 (No. 2-75516) and Registration Statement on Form 8-A (No.
  2-88892), effective as of March 17, 1984.
  
  All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and
  15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and prior
  to the termination of the offering of the Common Stock to be made hereunder
  shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof
  from the date of filing of such documents.  Any statement contained in a
  document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be
  deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the
  extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed
  document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein
  modifies or supersedes such statement.  Any such statement so modified or
  superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to
  constitute a part of this Prospectus.
  
  The Company will provide, without charge, to each person to whom a copy of this
  Prospectus is delivered, upon the written or oral request of such person, a
  copy of any or all of the documents incorporated herein by reference (other
  than exhibits to such documents unless such exhibits are specifically
  incorporated by reference into the information that this Prospectus
  incorporates).  Written or telephone requests for such documents should be
  directed to Karen L. Garrett, 3015 S.S.E. Loop 323, Tyler, Texas 75701,
  telephone number (903) 595-3701.
  
  
  
  
  
                                        -1-
  <PAGE>   4
  ITEM 8.  EXHIBITS.
  
  The following is a list of all exhibits filed as a part of this Registration
  Statement on Form S-8, including those incorporated herein by reference.
  
   Exhibit
   Number     Description of Exhibit
  --------    -----------------------
  
  4.1         Articles of Incorporation of the Company.(1)
  
  4.2         Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of the
              Registrant.(2)
  
  4.3         Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of the
              Registrant.(2)
  
  4.4         Bylaws of the Registrant.(1)
  
  4.5         Form of Stock Certificate.(1)
  
  5           Opinion of Jackson & Walker, L.L.P.(4)
  
  23.1        Consent of Coopers & Lybrand, L.L.P.(4)
  
  23.3        Consent of Jackson & Walker, L.L.P. (included in the opinion of
              Jackson & Walker, L.L.P. filed as Exhibit 5).(4)
  
  24          Power of Attorney (included in Part II hereof).(4)
  
  99          Employee Compensation Agreement dated November 1, 1994 between
              Darrell Campbell and TCA Cable TV, Inc.(3)
  
  --------------------
  
  (1)         Previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Registration
              Statement on Form S-1, File No. 2-76516 dated as of March 16, 1982
              and incorporated herein by reference.
  
  (2)         Previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Registration
              Statement on Form S-8, File No. 33-21901 dated as of May 16, 1988,
              and incorporated herein by reference.
  
  (3)         Previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Registration
              Statement on Form S-8, File No. 333-1487 dated as of March 6, 1996,
              and incorporated herein by reference.
  
  (4)         Filed herewith.
  
  
  
  
  
                                        -2-
  <PAGE>   5
                                     SIGNATURES
  
  
          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
  the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
  all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this
  Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
  duly authorized, in the City of Tyler, State of Texas on the 8th day of May,
  1997.
  
  
  
                                  TCA CABLE TV, INC.
  
  
  
                                  By:/s/ Jimmie F. Taylor                      
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                     Jimmie F. Taylor, Vice President, Chief
                                     Financial Officer and Treasurer
                                     (Principal Accounting and Financial Officer)
  
  
                                 POWER OF ATTORNEY
  
          Each person whose signature appears below authorizes Robert M. Rogers,
  Fred R. Nichols and Jimmie F. Taylor, and each of them, each of whom may act
  without joinder of the other, to execute in the name of each such person who is
  then an officer or director of the Registrant, and to file any amendments to
  this Registration Statement necessary or advisable to enable the Registrant to
  comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any rules, regulations
  and requirements of the Commission, in respect thereof, in connection with the
  registration of the securities which are the subject of this Registration
  Statement, which amendments may make such changes in such Registration Statement
  as such attorney may deem appropriate.
  
  
  
  
  
                                        -3-
  <PAGE>   6
          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
  this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
  capacities and on the dates indicated.
  
  <TABLE>
  <CAPTION>
  Signature                     Title                                      Date
  ---------                     -----                                      ----
  <S>                           <C>                                        <C>
  /s/ Robert M. Rogers          Chairman of the Board, Chief               May 8, 1997
  ------------------------      Executive Officer and Director                        
  Robert M. Rogers              (Principal Executive Officer)              
                                                                           
  /s/ Fred R. Nichols           President, Chief Operating                 May 8, 1997
  ------------------------      Officer and Director                                  
  Fred R. Nichols                                                          
                                                                           
  /s/ Jimmie F. Taylor          Vice President, Chief Financial Officer    May 8, 1997
  ------------------------      and Treasurer                                         
  Jimmie F. Taylor              (Principal Accounting and Financial        
                                Officer)                                   
                                                                           
  /s/ Fred W. Smith             Director                                   May 8, 1997
  ------------------------                                                            
  Fred W. Smith                                                            
                                                                           
  /s/ Wayne J. McKinney         Director                                   May 8, 1997
  ------------------------                                                            
  Wayne J. McKinney                                                        
                                                                           
  /s/ Ben R. Fisch, M.D.        Director                                   May 8, 1997
  ------------------------                                                            
  Ben R. Fisch, M.D.                                                       
                                                                           
  /s/ Kenneth S. Gunter         Director                                   May 8, 1997
  ------------------------                                                            
  Kenneth S. Gunter                                                        
                                                                           
  /s/ Randall K. Rogers         Director                                   May 8, 1997
  ------------------------                                                            
  Randall K. Rogers                                                        
                                                                           
  /s/ A. W. Riter, Jr.          Director                                   May 8, 1997
  ------------------------                                                            
  A. W. Riter, Jr.                                                         
                                                                           
  /s/ James F. Ackerman         Director                                   May 8, 1997
  ------------------------                                                                
  James F. Ackerman
  </TABLE>
  
  
  
  
  
                                        -4-
  <PAGE>   7
                                  INDEX TO EXHIBITS
                                                                      
  <TABLE>
  <CAPTION>
   Exhibit                                                            
   Number                   Description of Exhibit                    
   ------                   ----------------------                    
  <S>        <C>
  4.1        Articles of Incorporation of the Company.(1)
  
  4.2        Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of the
             Registrant.(2)
  
  4.3        Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of the
             Registrant.(2)
  
  4.4        Bylaws of the Registrant.(1)
  
  4.5        Form of Stock Certificate.(1)
  
  5          Opinion of Jackson & Walker, L.L.P.(4)
  
  23.1       Consent of Coopers & Lybrand, L.L.P.(4)
  
  23.3       Consent of Jackson & Walker, L.L.P. (included in the opinion of
             Jackson & Walker, L.L.P. filed as Exhibit 5).(4)
  
  24         Power of Attorney (included in Part II hereof).(4)
  
  99         Employee Compensation Agreement dated November 1, 1994 between
             Darrell Campbell and TCA Cable TV, Inc.(3)
  </TABLE>
  
  --------------------
  
  (1)        Previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Registration
             Statement on Form S-1, File No. 2-76516 dated as of March 16, 1982
             and incorporated herein by reference.
  
  (2)        Previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Registration
             Statement on Form S-8, File No. 33-21901 dated as of May 16, 1988,
             and incorporated herein by reference.
  
  (3)        Previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Registration
             Statement on Form S-8, File No. 333-1487 dated as of March 6, 1996,
             and incorporated herein by reference.
  
  (4)        Filed herewith.
metadata_documents: [{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "description": "FORM S-8 (EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT)", "secsgml_size_bytes": 15623}]
metadata_filer: {"company-data": {"conformed-name": "TCA CABLE TV INC", "cik": "0000700997", "assigned-sic": "4841", "irs-number": "751798185", "state-of-incorporation": "TX", "fiscal-year-end": "1031"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-26723", "film-number": "97598465"}, "business-address": {"street1": "3015 SE LOOP 323", "city": "TYLER", "state": "TX", "zip": "75701", "phone": "9035953701"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "P.O. BOX 130489", "city": "TYLER", "state": "TX", "zip": "75713"}}
text: 1
        As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 8, 1997
                                                    Registration No. 333-_________
  ================================================================================
  
                         SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549
  
                              --------------------
  
                                      FORM S-8
                          REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
                               SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
  
                              --------------------
  
                                 TCA CABLE TV, INC.
               (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
  
                  Texas                                   75-1798185
     (State or other jurisdiction of       (I.R.S. employer identification number)
      incorporation or organization)                        
  
                                 3015 SSE Loop 323
                                 Tyler, Texas 75701
                      (Address of principal executive offices)
  
                              --------------------
  
                         EMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION AGREEMENT
                           DATED NOVEMBER 1, 1994 BETWEEN
                      DARRELL CAMPBELL AND TCA CABLE TV, INC.
                              (Full title of the Plan)
  
                              --------------------
  
                                  ROBERT M. ROGERS
                                 3015 SSE Loop 323
                                 Tyler, Texas 75701
            (Name and address of agent for service of agent for service)
                                   (903) 595-3701
                      (Telephone number, including area code,
                               of agent for service)
  
                              --------------------
  
                                      COPY TO:
                                 JAMES S. RYAN, III
                              Jackson & Walker, L.L.P.
                                  901 Main Street
                                     Suite 6000
                                Dallas, Texas  75202
  
                          CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
  ====================================================================================
                                                  Proposed     Proposed               
                                                  Maximum      Maximum       Amount    
             Title of               Amount        Offering     Aggregate       of      
            Securities               to be       Price Per     Offering   Registration
         to be Registered         Registered     Share (1)     Price (1)    Fee (1)
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Common Stock, $.10 par value   5,000 shares      $33.625      $168,125     $100.00
  ====================================================================================
  (1)  Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee.  
       Pursuant to Rule 457(c) and 457(h), registration fee is based on a price of
       $33.625 per share, which price is an average of the high and low prices of
       the Common Stock on the National Association of Securities Dealers
       Automated Quotation National Market System on May 2, 1997.  Because the
       registration fee amounted to less than the minimum, the minimum
       registration fee of $100.00 is being submitted.
          
       Pursuant to General Instruction E of Form S-8, with respect to the shares
       registered under the Employment Compensation Agreement dated November 1,
       1994 by and between Darrell Campbell and TCA Cable TV, Inc., this
       Registration Statement incorporates by reference the contents of the
       Registrant's Registration Statement No. 333-1487 on Form S-8, including all
       exhibits attached thereto.
  2
  
                                  EXPLANATORY NOTE
  
  This Registration Statement on Form S-8 relates to the additional 5,000 shares
  of Common Stock issuable pursuant to provisions of the Employment Compensation
  Agreement dated November 1, 1994 by and between Darrell Campbell and TCA Cable
  TV, Inc.
  3
                                      PART II
                 INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
  
  ITEM 3.  INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.
  
  The following documents, which have been filed with the Commission by TCA Cable
  TV, Inc. (the "Company"), are incorporated herein by reference and made a part
  hereof:
  
  (i)Annual Report of the Company on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31,
  1996 (the "Annual Report");
  
  (ii)All other reports filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a) or
  15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"),
  since the end of the fiscal year covered by the documents referred to in the
  Annual Report; and
  
  (iii)Description of the Common Stock contained in the Company's Registration
  Statement on Form S-1 (No. 2-75516) and Registration Statement on Form 8-A (No.
  2-88892), effective as of March 17, 1984.
  
  All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and
  15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and prior
  to the termination of the offering of the Common Stock to be made hereunder
  shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof
  from the date of filing of such documents.  Any statement contained in a
  document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be
  deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the
  extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed
  document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein
  modifies or supersedes such statement.  Any such statement so modified or
  superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to
  constitute a part of this Prospectus.
  
  The Company will provide, without charge, to each person to whom a copy of this
  Prospectus is delivered, upon the written or oral request of such person, a
  copy of any or all of the documents incorporated herein by reference (other
  than exhibits to such documents unless such exhibits are specifically
  incorporated by reference into the information that this Prospectus
  incorporates).  Written or telephone requests for such documents should be
  directed to Karen L. Garrett, 3015 S.S.E. Loop 323, Tyler, Texas 75701,
  telephone number (903) 595-3701.
  
                                        -1-
  4
  ITEM 8.  EXHIBITS.
  
  The following is a list of all exhibits filed as a part of this Registration
  Statement on Form S-8, including those incorporated herein by reference.
  
   Exhibit
   Number     Description of Exhibit
  --------    -----------------------
  
  4.1         Articles of Incorporation of the Company.(1)
  
  4.2         Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of the
              Registrant.(2)
  
  4.3         Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of the
              Registrant.(2)
  
  4.4         Bylaws of the Registrant.(1)
  
  4.5         Form of Stock Certificate.(1)
  
  5           Opinion of Jackson & Walker, L.L.P.(4)
  
  23.1        Consent of Coopers & Lybrand, L.L.P.(4)
  
  23.3        Consent of Jackson & Walker, L.L.P. (included in the opinion of
              Jackson & Walker, L.L.P. filed as Exhibit 5).(4)
  
  24          Power of Attorney (included in Part II hereof).(4)
  
  99          Employee Compensation Agreement dated November 1, 1994 between
              Darrell Campbell and TCA Cable TV, Inc.(3)
  
  --------------------
  
  (1)         Previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Registration
              Statement on Form S-1, File No. 2-76516 dated as of March 16, 1982
              and incorporated herein by reference.
  
  (2)         Previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Registration
              Statement on Form S-8, File No. 33-21901 dated as of May 16, 1988,
              and incorporated herein by reference.
  
  (3)         Previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Registration
              Statement on Form S-8, File No. 333-1487 dated as of March 6, 1996,
              and incorporated herein by reference.
  
  (4)         Filed herewith.
  
                                        -2-
  5
                                     SIGNATURES
  
          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
  the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
  all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this
  Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
  duly authorized, in the City of Tyler, State of Texas on the 8th day of May,
  1997.
  
                                  TCA CABLE TV, INC.
  
                                  By:/s/ Jimmie F. Taylor                      
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                     Jimmie F. Taylor, Vice President, Chief
                                     Financial Officer and Treasurer
                                     (Principal Accounting and Financial Officer)
  
                                 POWER OF ATTORNEY
  
          Each person whose signature appears below authorizes Robert M. Rogers,
  Fred R. Nichols and Jimmie F. Taylor, and each of them, each of whom may act
  without joinder of the other, to execute in the name of each such person who is
  then an officer or director of the Registrant, and to file any amendments to
  this Registration Statement necessary or advisable to enable the Registrant to
  comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any rules, regulations
  and requirements of the Commission, in respect thereof, in connection with the
  registration of the securities which are the subject of this Registration
  Statement, which amendments may make such changes in such Registration Statement
  as such attorney may deem appropriate.
  
                                        -3-
  6
          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
  this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
  capacities and on the dates indicated.
  Signature                     Title                                      Date
  ---------                     -----                                      ----
  /s/ Robert M. Rogers          Chairman of the Board, Chief               May 8, 1997
  ------------------------      Executive Officer and Director                        
  Robert M. Rogers              (Principal Executive Officer)              
                                                                           
  /s/ Fred R. Nichols           President, Chief Operating                 May 8, 1997
  ------------------------      Officer and Director                                  
  Fred R. Nichols                                                          
                                                                           
  /s/ Jimmie F. Taylor          Vice President, Chief Financial Officer    May 8, 1997
  ------------------------      and Treasurer                                         
  Jimmie F. Taylor              (Principal Accounting and Financial        
                                Officer)                                   
                                                                           
  /s/ Fred W. Smith             Director                                   May 8, 1997
  ------------------------                                                            
  Fred W. Smith                                                            
                                                                           
  /s/ Wayne J. McKinney         Director                                   May 8, 1997
  ------------------------                                                            
  Wayne J. McKinney                                                        
                                                                           
  /s/ Ben R. Fisch, M.D.        Director                                   May 8, 1997
  ------------------------                                                            
  Ben R. Fisch, M.D.                                                       
                                                                           
  /s/ Kenneth S. Gunter         Director                                   May 8, 1997
  ------------------------                                                            
  Kenneth S. Gunter                                                        
                                                                           
  /s/ Randall K. Rogers         Director                                   May 8, 1997
  ------------------------                                                            
  Randall K. Rogers                                                        
                                                                           
  /s/ A. W. Riter, Jr.          Director                                   May 8, 1997
  ------------------------                                                            
  A. W. Riter, Jr.                                                         
                                                                           
  /s/ James F. Ackerman         Director                                   May 8, 1997
  ------------------------                                                                
  James F. Ackerman
  -4-
  7
                                  INDEX TO EXHIBITS
  Exhibit                                                            
   Number                   Description of Exhibit                    
   ------                   ----------------------
  4.1        Articles of Incorporation of the Company.(1)
  
  4.2        Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of the
             Registrant.(2)
  
  4.3        Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of the
             Registrant.(2)
  
  4.4        Bylaws of the Registrant.(1)
  
  4.5        Form of Stock Certificate.(1)
  
  5          Opinion of Jackson & Walker, L.L.P.(4)
  
  23.1       Consent of Coopers & Lybrand, L.L.P.(4)
  
  23.3       Consent of Jackson & Walker, L.L.P. (included in the opinion of
             Jackson & Walker, L.L.P. filed as Exhibit 5).(4)
  
  24         Power of Attorney (included in Part II hereof).(4)
  
  99         Employee Compensation Agreement dated November 1, 1994 between
             Darrell Campbell and TCA Cable TV, Inc.(3)
  --------------------
  
  (1)        Previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Registration
             Statement on Form S-1, File No. 2-76516 dated as of March 16, 1982
             and incorporated herein by reference.
  
  (2)        Previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Registration
             Statement on Form S-8, File No. 33-21901 dated as of May 16, 1988,
             and incorporated herein by reference.
  
  (3)        Previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Registration
             Statement on Form S-8, File No. 333-1487 dated as of March 6, 1996,
             and incorporated herein by reference.
  
  (4)        Filed herewith.