Public, Free-to-Air Channels
TV ONE
Government-owned channel offering a broad range of programming including news, entertainment and most of New Zealand’s major sporting events. Entertainment includes New Zealand-made and international series.
TV2
Government-owned channel with a strong entertainment focus, combining popular locally produced shows with top drama and comedy series from the USA, Australia, the UK and more.
TV 3
Privately-owned, entertainment focused channel offering a broad range of international favorites and local programming.
C4
Music channel also offering entertainment programming geared toward younger viewers.
Prime
SKY-TV’s free-to-air channel, includes sport, entertainment, drama, documentary, comedy and lifestyle, as well as several locally-produced programs.
TVNZ 6
Government-owned channel offering New Zealand-produced programming for children, from preschoolers to young teens.
TVNZ 7
Government owned factual channel, featuring a broad range of news, current affairs, documentary and commentary shows.
Maori Television
Offers programming in Te Reo (Maori language) and of special interest to the Maori community, with other offerings including international films.
Te Reo
100% of programming in Te Reo (Maori language) during prime time.
Juice TV
Local popular music channel focusing on the New Zealand music scene.
TAB Trackside
Broadcasts horse races from New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong and other international venues.
Pay TV
SKY-TV http://www.skytv.co.nz
Sky is New Zealand’s only pay TV operator, offering a wide range of sports, movies, music, on-demand and general content across more than 100 channels. It is available via satellite, which you will need to receive Sky. A technician will come to install it if your house or apartment does not already have a dish installed. Joining fees and installation generally costs around $99 with the equipment (dish and receiver) being free as they remain the property of Sky TV. Sky quite often has specials whereby you get zero or reduced joining fees, it’s always worth checking their site for deals.
It can sometimes take a few weeks to get a booking for installation, but most of the time Sky are pretty quick to get you set up and watching TV.
If there is no satellite dish attached to your house or apartment, you should check with your local council first to ensure there are no by-laws preventing you from installing one. You may also need to check with your body corporate if you are in an apartment block. If in doubt, it’s easier to ask first than have to rectify the situation later.
Keep in mind that new customers default to the Basic package, which is not the least expensive option available. When selling it to you over the phone, the sales people infer that the basic package is the least amount of channels you must have in order to get Sky. This is not the case. If you just want a minimal package you can ask for the Decoder Rental, or Downgrade option. More information here: http://skytv.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/478/kw/cheapest%20package/related/1
Standard Sky Digital $48.78 per month
MySky HDI + $15 on top of standard price.
Decoder rental/Downgrade option $18.70
Once you have the basic package you can add on sports, movies, arts and other specialist channels. It’s not possible in New Zealand to just add one channel.
Alternative to Sky
Freeview – http://www.freeviewnz.tv/
An alternative to SkyTv is Freeview. After purchasing the set top box you then have no monthly fees, joining fees or ongoing costs. You can watch New Zealand’s free to air channels in digital quality, via approved HDTV and Satellite TV products. The Freeview boxes are available to buy in most electronic retail stores.
