List of Free-To-Air TV Stations In Ghana

Ghana’s media landscape could be described as one of the most competitive in Africa. Broadcasting in Ghana has a quality way above what exists in most other West African countries. In terms of Satellite TV broadcasting, Ghana is probably leading in West Africa, with heavy influence on other parts of the continent. A number of satellite TV channels in Ghana are popular among viewers in several African countries. Ghana also has free-to-air TV stations which broadcast interesting programmes to viewers across the African continent. Here’s a list of popular free-to-air TV stations in Ghana which also have huge continent-wide viewership base.

GTV (Ghana Television)

GTV (Ghana Today Television) is the national public broadcaster of Ghana, run by the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation. It began operations on July 31, 1965 and was originally known as GBC TV.  It dominates the airwaves in Ghana probably because it is compelled by law to reach each and every member of the public. GTV broadcasts mainly local programming, with over 80% of the schedule consisting of original productions. It is available on three satellite broadcast providers; Eutelsat W4 (popularly known as DSTV), Astra 2B at 28.2˚E and Intelsat 903 at 34.5˚W which is mainly beamed to viewers in North Africa, Europe and Asia.

Metro TV
Metro TV is a very popular station among viewers in West Africa and beyond. It is also among satellite frequency channels that are not only free but regarded as pioneers in satellite television. It came into existence as a partnership between the government of Ghana and a private corporation.

Metro TV is available in two satellites; Eutelsat W4 as the second Ghanaian free-to-air channel on DSTV, and NSS at 37.5˚W which is a satellite with popularity not only in Africa but the Middle East and Europe as well.

TV3
TV3 was established in 1997. It is a private free-to-air television station in Ghana. It is owned by a Malaysian company, Media Prima. It is available on NSS 7 as well as Multi TV.TV3 Network Limited is a private, free-to-air television broadcaster in Ghana. It was launched in 1997 by Thai company BEC-TERO. TV3 Ghana airs and produces a variety of television programmes which make it popular among viewers in Ghana, West Africa and beyond. The station is known for captivating news bulletins, dramas and successful reality television, including entertainment shows.

TV Africa
TV Africa is popular among viewers not just in Ghana buy across West Africa. It was officially launched on the 17th of May by the President of Ghana, though it started operating as early as 2002. It is the only fully-Ghanaian owned private free-to-air TV station in that country. It is owned by a renowned Ghanaian filmmaker Kwaw Paintsil Ansah. It is available on NSS 7. TV Africa is known for airing very interesting programmes.

However, TV Africa has been facing challenges in recent times fears that the stations survival is threatened. The station was acquired by Ideal Groupe in 2016 after its original owners headed by Kwaw Ansah had put it up for sale over lack of funds to run the station. Despite the attempted re-branding of the station by the new owners, TV Africa has yet to overcome the financial challenges that are putting pressure on its existence.

Viasat 1
Viasat 1 is another free-to-air television station in Ghana’s airwaves. It is owned by the Modern Times Group (MTG) which is s Swedish Media group. It is available on NSS 7. The channel officially received a licence from the National Communications Authority of the Republic of Ghana in December 2007 but started broadcasting on December 12, 2008. It became the fifth terrestrial television channel in Ghana after GTV, Metro TV, TV3 and TV Africa. Viasat 1 is popular among viewers in Ghana and some parts of Africa.