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Sky TV Creates Expert Team to Help Managing
Agents with Switchover
Sky TV has thrown a lifeline to private sector managing agents The amount of support needed to get ready for the digital
(MAs) struggling to get their blocks ready for the digital switchover, switchover varies from block to block. Some need only minor work,
by creating a new team dedicated to helping them. The Sky such as fitting new filters or boosters, while others require major
Switchover Team will offer a unique package of advice and support work, such as installing new cabling, a suitable digital transmitter or
to help MAs choose the right digital communal TV solution for their even a completely new communal TV solution.
blocks, and ensure it is installed and working before the digital Sky has an established network of expert installers across the UK,
switchover happens in their region. For more information about the ready to help MAs beat the digital switchover deadline in their region.
Sky Switchover Team MAs should register their details on www. Working with Sky, these companies know digital TV inside out and
sky.com/managers or call 08442 410331. have installed thousands of Sky communal TV solutions for MAs.
Each private MA will be given a dedicated account manager to Their friendly, experienced engineers are happy to explain every
guide them through the entire switchover process, with expert support aspect of the job in jargon-free English, and their work is backed by
from specialist engineers. This will include a free initial consultation the Sky promise of quality.
to explain the various options to the MA, and a free estimate of the In certain cases, Sky TV may contribute towards the cost of
work needed. If the MA is happy with the estimate, a Sky contractor equipment needed to install a communal TV solution at a block
will undertake a free survey at the block to check it is suitable for the (excluding equipment in residents’ flats), so it is important that MAs
work and to confirm costs. contact Sky as soon as possible to check if they qualify.
The Sky Switchover Team is Sky’s response to its recent survey*, Sky offers two main communal TV solutions – Shared Dish and
which revealed that more than half of the UK’s private blocks are Integrated Reception System (IRS) – and helps MAs choose the most
not fully prepared for the digital switchover, and only a quarter can appropriate option for their residents and the block they live in.
receive Sky. If the MAs for these blocks don’t act, their residents Shared Dish delivers digital satellite TV signals to flats in a block
could be left with blank screens after the switchover. from a single discreet rooftop dish, so residents don’t need their own
Pascal Wharton, Head of Sky Communal Solutions, comments: mini dishes. Cables are run directly from the Shared Dish to the Sky,
“Our survey identified a clear need for some extra support to help Sky+ or Sky+HD set-top boxes in the flats of Sky subscribers. Those
private MAs during the digital switchover period. The Sky Switchover who subscribe to Sky or Sky Freesat will also have access to all free-
Team will do just that, taking the stress and hassle out of the process to-air channels, including BBC, ITV, Ch4 and Ch5.
and helping MAs make the right digital TV choices for their blocks IRS is particularly suited to larger blocks. It is a “platform-
and their residents.” 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.”
To find out more about the Sky Switchover Team, the digital
switchover and communal TV solutions from Sky, MAs register
their details on www.sky.com/managers or call 08442 410 331
06
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