© 2025 News On The Block. All rights reserved.
News on the Block is a trading name of Premier Property Media Ltd.
© 2025 News On The Block. All rights reserved.
News on the Block is a trading name of Premier Property Media Ltd.
Property managers are increasingly coming under pressure from residents to upgrade their current TV systems, particularly given the recent advances in TV technology and the digital switchover (DSO). This was the case at Haddenhurst Court, a 2 storey block of 37 private retirement apartments in Berkshire, managed by a national retirement property company.
In the past, residents watched TV through an analogue communal TV aerial. However, many have found the range of TV options quite limited. Addressing this, the Managing Agent began to look around for a cost-effective solution.
The Managing Agent learned about Sky’s shared dish - a Sky initiative for private blocks, designed specifically to help managing agents prepare their blocks for the DSO. It also provides cost-effective access to Sky for potential subscribers who have been put off by high sign-on charges and maintenance, or existing subscribers who want to reduce their annual overheads. The scheme offers a variety of subsidies for the installation of a Sky shared dish communal TV solution, which allows all residents in a block to watch Sky through a single dish.
The Sky Communal solution for blocks of flats is intended to make it as simple, hassle free and cost- effective as possible to install digital television. They have a network of local specialists with in-depth knowledge of specific geographic areas. Their dedicated team of experts can advise Managing Agents on what systems are available, and on all areas related to the DSO.
The new communal TV system was installed following a site survey to confirm that the block was suitable for a shared dish. “It all went very smoothly, and I’m not aware of any disturbance to the residents,” said the Managing Agent.“
Sky-approved engineers installed the system with great care to ensure that it fitted in with the appearance of the block. The roof-mounted satellite dish is not visible from the ground, and all junction boxes and cabling have been placed in discreet locations, which were agreed in advance.
Within a few weeks of installation, Sky and the installer hosted an information coffee morning at Haddenhurst Court.
The other residents had plenty of encouragement from Len Burritt, 92, “I’m very pleased with the entire process and find Sky TV easy to use,” he said. “I like sport, having played a lot myself, so I like to watch the cricket and football on Sky. The picture is excellent, too.”
Pascal Wharton is Head of Sky Communal Solutions