UK based provider of PayGo Solar home systems, Azuri Technologies is launching a pay-as-you-go satellite TV package targeting households without electricity in the Kenyan market in a partnership with home entertainment satellite provider, Zuku.

A combination of solar home power, 24-inch TV, satellite dish and Zuku Smart+ entertainment with 48 TV and 21 radio channels, the AzuriTV system targets households outside the power grid with an offer of affordable TV according to a statement released today.

"For only Kshs 149 a day a customer will access an optimised 24-inch television integrated with Zuku TV with up to 5 hours of normal viewing per day, a powerful solar home system providing four bright home lights, mobile phone charging and a rechargeable portable radio. Kenya has over 12 million households and a TV household penetration rate of only 38.2 percent as of 2015, according to a Research and Markets, Kenya Digital TV Forecasts report, with free-to-air broadcasting still the primary access method. The service is initially available in selected regions of Central Kenya and will be rolled out progressively nationwide in 2017, targeting the over 5m households that are currently outside of the power grid," details a statement issued by the companies.

Simon Bransfield-Garth says the rural off-grid consumers face three key hurdles to being able to watch TV - access to power, service coverage and the high upfront cost of the installation.

"Solar power has made huge strides. Just a few years ago, a small solar light was new technology. Today we are providing a TV and service provision that would not look out of place in any major city in the world," says Bransfield-Garth.

Jay Chudasama, Zuku Satellite TV CEO says the approach adopted by the two companies will not only offer a way to reach out to over 5 million homes without electricity in central Kenya, but also contribute greatly towards deepening the television penetration in the country in general.

"This is a very exciting opportunity we are giving our customers and viewers to have more choices and enjoy the experience to watch over 40 Zuku TV channels that offers high-quality and affordable family entertainment with emphasis on the local content,"

Through Zuku TV, customers will access channels including local free-to-air channels, international channels and Zuku branded channels.

Customers can pay via mobile money and after two years of payments, users will own the equipment and continue to pay only for the satellite service.