The collaboration between GVA and Canal+ is poised to transform Ghana’s pay-TV and internet landscape by combining high-speed broadband with premium content streaming.
As part of its expansion plan, Canal+ will introduce fixed fibre broadband services in Ghana, aligning with governmental efforts to lower costs associated with pay-TV and household internet data.
Group Vivendi Africa (GVA), the Vivendi/Canal+ subsidiary responsible for fibre-to-the-home services under the CanalBox brand, will spearhead the rollout, initially focusing on Accra and Kumasi. This strategy positions Ghana as one of its key markets for unlimited home broadband services.
Ghana’s Minister of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovation has strongly supported CanalBox’s market entry, calling its proposed retail pricing “revolutionary” and in line with the government’s agenda for digital inclusion. The ministry is also set to collaborate with state agencies to facilitate access to vital infrastructure, including power and poles, thereby expediting the deployment of fibre.
During meetings with Canal+, the minister encouraged the company to broaden its offerings by bundling high-speed CanalBox internet services with content from both Canal+ and MultiChoice, aiming to create a seamless package for households. Earlier this month, Canal+ finalised its acquisition of MultiChoice, the parent entity of DStv and Showmax, thereby strengthening its presence in Anglophone Africa.
Transitioning to fixed broadband marks a significant strategic shift for Canal+, elevating its profile from a solely pay-TV broadcaster to a comprehensive service provider that delivers both content and connectivity. This approach parallels the popular “triple-play” model seen in Europe, which integrates television, internet, and potentially telephony, all tailored to Ghana’s emerging fibre-to-the-home market.
This initiative arrives at a crucial juncture for Ghana’s pay-TV sector, as MultiChoice Ghana has been under regulatory scrutiny over its subscription pricing following unsuccessful attempts to raise DStv tariffs, which prompted the threat of government intervention. With Canal+ at the helm, the group is expected to adopt a more consumer-centric and collaborative operating model.
By launching this fibre-based service, Canal+ aims to safeguard its video revenues against ongoing scrutiny of satellite TV rates, while also providing direct distribution of its content and on-demand platforms via its own broadband network. This strategy is expected to address piracy concerns and the use of unlicensed decoders by encouraging viewers to opt for legitimate, high-quality streaming services, such as Showmax and Canal+, online.
The Ministry of Communication has requested that GVA submit a comprehensive proposal detailing rollout plans, pricing models, and areas where governmental assistance may be required. While no specific launch date or final pricing has been confirmed, CanalBox’s entry into Accra and Kumasi is expected to heighten competition among Ghana’s home internet providers, facilitating the quicker adoption of bundled internet and TV services in the marketplace.
