I was recently approached by a digital TV provider offering my shareholders a spectacular package discount, provided all my apartments signed up for their service.

A quick perusal, and I learned that if less than 75% of my apartments accepted the offer, my Co-op would have to make up the difference. Basically, all maintenance-paying shareholders who did not sign up for the new package would be subsidizing the remaining few who did.

We'd been approached in the past with similar offers, and it's amazing how they've become more bloated, like a sponge in water. The package in place when I became treasurer 12 years ago was for two years. The replacement package I rejected was for three years. The offer that was given to me this week was for five years.

Five years of being on the hook to an increasingly obsolete service delivery technology. They must be reading the same articles I do:

https://www.fastcompany.com/90466112/look-how-far-cable-tv-has-fallen

My building is wired for both cable and fiber optics, so we have the luxury of competition. If your building bundles DTV services into maintenance and all shareholders are required to pay for them regardless, then the discount packages may make sense. But if services are optional, and shareholders can opt-out, be very very careful of what you commit to.

Caveat Emptor!!