Sky TV creates expert team to help managing agents switchover

The Sky Switchover Team is Sky’s response to its recent survey, which revealed that more than half of the UK’s private blocks are not fully prepared for the digital switchover, and only a quarter can receive Sky. If the MAs for these blocks don’t act, their residents could be left with blank screens after the switchover.

Pascal Wharton, Head of Sky Communal Solutions, comments: “Our survey identified a clear need for some extra support to help private MAs during the digital switchover period. The Sky Switchover Team will do just that, taking the stress and hassle out of the process and helping MAs make the right digital TV choices for their blocks and their residents.”

The amount of support needed to get ready for the digital switchover varies from block to block. Some need only minor work, such as fitting new filters or boosters, while others require major work, such as installing new cabling, a suitable digital transmitter or even a completely new communal TV solution.

Sky has an established network of expert installers across the UK, ready to help MAs beat the digital switchover deadline in their region. Working with Sky, these companies know digital TV inside out and have installed thousands of Sky communal TV solutions for MAs. Their friendly, experienced engineers are happy to explain every aspect of the job in jargon-free English, and their work is backed by the Sky promise of quality.

In certain cases, Sky TV may contribute towards the cost of equipment needed to install a communal TV solution at a block (excluding equipment in residents’ flats), so it is important that MAs contact Sky as soon as possible to check if they qualify.

Sky offers two main communal TV solutions – Shared Dish and Integrated Reception System (IRS) – and helps MAs choose the most appropriate option for their residents and the block they live in.

Shared Dish delivers digital satellite TV signals to flats in a block from a single discreet rooftop dish, so residents don’t need their own mini dishes. Cables are run directly from the Shared Dish to the Sky, Sky+ or Sky+HD set-top boxes in the flats of Sky subscribers. Those who subscribe to Sky or Sky Freesat will also have access to all free-to-air channels, including BBC, ITV, Ch4 and Ch5.

IRS is particularly suited to larger blocks. It is a “platform-neutral” solution, so residents can choose either to watch free-to-air programmes on Freeview, Freesat or analogue TV (until the switchover), or to subscribe to Sky TV (including Sky+ and Sky+HD). They can also receive FM and DAB radio. By opting for Sky+HD, residents with HD-ready TVs can enjoy the best-available TV experience, with superb picture detail, Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound and vibrant colours.

As Pascal Wharton points out, time is now running out for some private sector MAs: “Fourteen areas of the UK are due to switchover this year, affecting around 4.6 million households. The Borders region has already had its analogue signal turned off for good, and parts of Devon and Cornwall have also switched over this year. One of the next areas to go digital is Granada, where there are around 10,000 blocks of private sector flats. Many MAs need to move fast to beat the switchover, but they can be sure that the new Sky Switchover Team will give them all the expert guidance and support they need to go digital.”