HD PLUS Ghana goes Free-to-Air from June 13

SES HD PLUS Ghana, the country’s premium high-definition (“HD”) satellite broadcast service provider, has announced it will be moving its subscription-based platform to a free-to-air (“FTA”) model, effective 13 June 2024.

This strategic move is poised to revolutionize television viewing experiences across Ghana, giving access to 5 million homes on the West African Platform Services (“WAPS”) platform commonly called the MultiTV platform in Ghana.

The transition will be overseen by WAPS, an SES affiliate in Ghana responsible for local ground services. The business model will transition from end-users paying an access fee to view HD channels to a model where HD channels are available for free as part of the wider FTA channels available on the WAPS platform. This change not only aligns with market dynamics but also opens new avenues for growth and innovation in the market. The strategic shift will reinforce SES’s position in the media broadcast market in Ghana and the wider West African sub-region.

Effective 16 April 2024, customers in Ghana will no longer be able to purchase HD+ subscription packages and activate new HD+ devices. However, HD+ Decoders can receive FTA channels.  Subscribers who have active subscription packages will continue to enjoy the service until 13 June 2024. HD+ subscriber whose subscriptions will be active beyond 13 June 2024, will be contacted regarding compensation starting from 30 April 2024 via HD+ call centre number 0242439872. Customers are also encouraged to call for assistance.

From 30 May 2024, users of HD+ Decoders in Ghana are required to update their device with a new software that will be available over the air to gain access to the new FTA HD channel line-up. This software update process will be supported by SES HD PLUS Ghana until  June 20, 2024. The My HD PLUS TV operator and mobile Apps will be decommissioned on 30 May 2024.

Under the new model, FTA HD broadcasters in Ghana will contribute to have their channels on the WAPS platform as the free-to-air model significantly amplifies advertising reach, extending from 250,000 to 5 million homes.

Adelaide Abbiw-Williams, CEO of SES HD PLUS Ghana said, “We are proud to enable this game changer for the Ghana market. At SES HD PLUS Ghana, we believe that everyone deserves access to premium TV pictures, and this transition underscores our unwavering commitment to making that vision a reality.”

Remaining operations will be integrated into West African Platform Services (WAPS) by the end of June 2024.

SES remains dedicated to driving innovation and transforming the television landscape in Ghana by enhancing accessibility and empowering viewers to enjoy the best of television entertainment without compromise.

Source: Techfocus24