SPH WINS DIGITAL SWITCHOVER AWARD
04/02/2008
SPH Housing is one of the first five public housing providers to receive an award for its commitment to switching its properties to digital, three years ahead of the national deadline.
Established by Digital UK, the independent body implementing the UK’s switch to digital television, the Homes Set for Digital award acknowledges organisations able to provide digital television and information about switchover to residents in good time before analogue services are switched off in their region.
Following a deal with Sky three years ago, SPH are three-quarters of the way through a £500,000 programme to install integrated reception systems (IRS) for all its communal properties. IRS allows residents to watch channels through Sky or Freeview (through the relevant boxes) and to listen to digital radio.
The deal, which works out at about £150 per home, will give tenants in all SPH homes access to a wider range of television, allowing even greater choice than at present. 3,000 have already been converted.
Other recipients of the award are Arena Housing Association, IDS (Industrial Dwellings Society), Sanctuary Housing, and Six Town Housing.
James Purnell MP, Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport, congratulated the winners for their leadership. He said: “These organisations are at the forefront of a change which will touch every home and which every landlord, property manager and developer should be planning for now.”
The Digital UK scheme is aimed at boosting switchover awareness and preparation among housing developers, landlords, property managers and residents, in the run up to the Switchover in four years’ time.
Between 2008 and 2012, all TV services in the UK will go digital, region by region, culminating in the UK’s old analogue television signal being completely switched off and replaced with a digital signal.
Research published by DCMS last year suggests that around one-third of social housing providers in the UK’s first regions to switch don’t have a plan to be ready in time. SPH has pre-empted any future shortage of suppliers or installers by completing the switchover before most housing associations.
Jane Ostler, Digital UK’s Director of Housing, said: “Housing providers have an important role to play in ensuring the success of UK’s digital switchover. While most householders can make the switch for themselves, many people rely on a shared aerial system which can only be converted to digital by their landlord or property manager. Taking action early will mean that landlords are able to manage the process in a way that works best for them and their residents.”
The switchover aims to create a fairer situation in which everyone has access to a choice of affordable digital TV services, allowing the UK to remain a world leader in broadcasting.
Further information: www.digitaluk.co.uk