SES HD PLUS Ghana has announced a shift from a subscription-based platform to a free-to-air model, effective June 13, 2024.

This strategic move is poised to revolutionise television viewing experiences across Ghana, giving access to five 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 April 16, 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 June 13, 2024.

HD+ subscribers whose subscriptions will be active beyond June 13, 2024, will be contacted regarding compensation starting from April 30, 2024.

Customers with active subscriptions are also encouraged to call the HD+ call centre for assistance.

From May 30, 2024, users of HD+ Decoders in Ghana are required to update their devices with 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 until June 20, 2024. The My HD PLUS TV operator and mobile Apps will be decommissioned on May 30, 2024.

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

The 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.