Freeview channels
With Freeview you can access New Zealand's favourite television programmes and national radio, in crystal clear digital quality for free. You'll have access to a wide range of channels (shown below) and there are likely to be more channels in the future!
Broadcasters can choose whether to broadcast their channels on satellite and/or terrestrial so the channel offering may differ between the two platforms. The current channel line up is as follows:
TV One
Freeview 1
TV ONE offers a broad range of programming including ONE NEWS & Current Affairs and ONE Sport as well as a full entertainment schedule that features both homegrown and international shows plus award-winning documentaries, drama and comedy.
TV2
Freeview 2
TV2 focuses on both homegrown and international entertainment and delivers a strong line-up of comedies, drama, movies and local programming. TV2 caters primarily to a young and family orientated audience with an emphasis on providing entertainment and information to the young and young at heart.
TV3
Freeview 3
TV3 operates a significant news and current affairs department, responsible for over 9 hours of peak programming weekly. In regard to entertainment, TV3 is a young adult oriented network that's made its mark featuring crime drama, hit reality shows and New Zealand-produced programmes. Sport also plays an integral role in the schedule. TV3 is available in digital widescreen and free-to-air only on Freeview.
C4
Freeview 4
C4 is New Zealand's leading youth television for twenty somethings. From the latest music releases to the classics, C4 hosts keep you up to date with the latest goings on from the local and international music scene. The channel also features cutting edge international and local programming including comedy, drama, reality, animation and movies - all specially selected for C4's youthful audience. C4 is available in digital widescreen and free-to-air 24 hours a day on Freeview.
Maori Television
Freeview 5
It's the goal of Maori Television to play a major role in revitalising the Maori language and culture that is the birthright of every Maori and the heritage of every New Zealander. Maori Television screens a range of programmes that portray Maori from a Maori perspective. They broadcast news, sports, current affairs, general programmes produced in-house (most of these live to air) and original programmes made by independent Maori and non-Maori producers.
TVNZ 6
Freeview 6
TVNZ 6, the first of TVNZ's two new digital channels, features advertising-free programming with between 50% and 70% local content. It is divided into three distinct services targeting preschoolers (TVNZ Kidzone, 6am - 4pm), families (TVNZ Family, 4pm - 8.30pm) and adult viewers (TVNZ Showcase, 8.30pm to closedown). Each service offers its target audience a tailored mix of stimulating, informative and entertaining programming from New Zealand and overseas.
TVNZ 7
Freeview 7
TVNZ 7 is a commercial-free 'factual' channel. News makes up 30% of the programming, and the remaining 70% is a mixture of documentaries (both new and historical), sports and current affairs programmes. The News component includes ten minute news bulletins on the hour, every hour, as well as an hour-long news bulletin at 8pm. There are some new local shows, including a politics show and a media review show. TVNZ 7 is a place where New Zealanders can go to shape their views about local and international issues, and understand how they affect them as Kiwis.
TV3 PLUS 1
Freeview 8
TV 3 PLUS 1 provides all of TV3’s content on a one-hour delayed basis. Freeview viewers have an option as to when they do their viewing. 3 NEWS is available at 7pm well as at its normal time of 6 pm on TV3. Daytime serial drama watchers who can’t watch Home and Away at 5:30pm now have the option of watching it at 6:30pm on PLUS 1.
PRIME
Freeview 10
Prime’s programming offer comprises news, sport, entertainment, drama, documentary, comedy and lifestyle. Prime is committed to building its New Zealand content. This is particularly evident in the network’s news offering, Prime News: First at 5:30 as well as locally produced programmes such as Return to Paradise and Crowd Goes Wild.
Stratos
Freeview 21
(Only available on Freeview satellite)
Stratos Television provides a unique schedule of the best of regional, ethnic and educational television programming from New Zealand and around the world. It also offers a full selection of the best international news services, current affairs programmes and documentaries from respected major public service broadcasters, in English and other languages.
Parliament TV
Freeview 22
Parliament TV broadcasts the full unedited proceedings of Parliament. Eight remote-controlled cameras film the proceedings in the House on sitting days from question-time at 2pm through debates and the consideration of legislation until the House rises. In all, approximately 17.5 hours per week is shown live and unedited, when the House is sitting. Details of sitting times.
Shine TV
Freeview 25
New Zealand’s very own Christian television network, catering for all ages and stages of life. Documentaries, music, teaching, movies, chat shows, and entertainment shows from New Zealand and around the world.
*Coming to Freeview Satellite on April 1st 2010
Chinese TV 8
Freeview 28
(Only available on Freeview|HD)
Chinese TV 8 is a channel dedicated to local Chinese people. Its programme line-up includes popular drama series; news and current affairs from mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan; variety shows of diverse formats; documentaries with Asian emphasis, as well as a wide range of 'infotainment' It also relays daily live-feed (both visual/audio) of radio current affairs programmes (Chinese Voice AM936) with audience phone-in participation at various prime-time slots. Selected programmes available in both Mandarin and Cantonese audio.
tvCentral
Freeview 30
(Only available on Freeview|HD in Waikato/BOP)
tvCentral connects the Waikato and the Bay of Plenty with coast to coast regional television that is local, entertaining and informative. Our schedule is made up of over 30% local content, alongside national, regional and international programming. As a 'family safe' channel we aim to cater to all age groups and genres.
CUE
Freeview 23
(Only available on Freeview satellite)
CUE Television produces news, political, lifestyle and sports shows that reflect provincial people and events, along with a burgeoning reputation for quality coverage of niche sporting and cultural activities around the country.
A key feature of the schedule is educational programming provided by the Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) as part of their mixed media delivery programme for extra mural students nationwide, within the highly successful Zero Fees Scheme run by the institute.
Te Reo
Freeview 24
(Only available on Freeview satellite)
Maori Television is proud to present New Zealand's first 100 per cent Maori language television channel - Te Reo. The channel launched on Friday March 28 and will initially broadcast daily during the prime time hours of 8pm to 11pm on Freeview channel 24.
It is aimed at fluent Maori speakers and Maori language learners, and enables New Zealanders to have full immersion Maori language households. All programming is exclusively in Te Reo Maori with no subtitles. There is also special tribal programming and a particular focus on new programming for fluent viewers.
Radio New Zealand National
Freeview 50
Broadcasting 24 hours a day, Radio New Zealand National reaches almost every New Zealander. Its programme mix includes news and current affairs, documentaries and features, drama and music.
Radio New Zealand Concert
Freeview 51
Radio New Zealand Concert is Radio New Zealand's fine music network. Music comprises 85% of air time. Much of this is classical, with additional specialist music programmes covering jazz, contemporary and world music.
George FM
Freeview 70
(Only available on Freeview satellite)
George FM is New Zealand's only dance music station, showcasing its eclectic grooves from around the world. Soul, House, Funk and Jazz from all musical eras add up to make George a truly unique music experience.
This funky, cutting-edge station is driven by New Zealand's most popular club DJs and personalities. George FM's Breakfast Show is the home of New Zealand music icon and the ultimate host of TV and radio, Peter Urlich.
George FM is a self-proclaimed lifestyle leader - in both style and sound. George FM reflects NZ's contemporary urban culture - its listener's taste for cafes, restaurants, fashion, technology and entertainment.
George FM - sounds different.
Base FM
Freeview 71
BASE FM is a community station for upcoming and established talent to broadcast on. The music that we promote has influenced generations and we aim to increase awareness and appreciation for sub genres. The station is based on a two hour mix show format, meaning that each slot is a showcase of a DJs record collection rather than two hours of pre-programmed automation. BASE FM promotes community events as community will promote the station.
Freeview Limited is a broadcast platform, and programming decisions are made by individual broadcasters. All enquiries about programming should be referred to the relevant broadcaster.
How do I get a channel on Freeview?
The Freeview Service Provider Code of Practice (available for download) provides easy guidelines for interested parties to get a channel up and running on the platform, including processes and costs. Contact us for further information.
