ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

About our move to a new satellite.

The satellite carrying New Zealand free-to-air TV transmissions will retire soon, so Freeview's satellite TV service must move to a replacement satellite in mid-April.

This won't matter to you if you use a UHF aerial or the Freeview Streaming TV app to watch Live TV. And the update will be seamless for most people tuned in through a satellite dish. Not sure how you're getting Freeview? Here's an easy way to tell.

However, older satellite boxes should be replaced before 15 April to keep accessing free Live TV.

Check your box.

Check your satellite box now if you use one.

It's easy! Just go to these channels.

Sky Open on Freeview channel 15,
eden+1 on Freeview channel 18,
Bravo+1 on Freeview channel 9,
Al Jazeera on Freeview channel 20.

If you can watch these channels, your box is all good.

If you can't watch those channels on your satellite box, it's time for an upgrade.

Be sure to check any satellite receiver or recorder you're using, including ones at the bach.

Upgrade options.

The simplest upgrade is to get a new satellite box, such as one of the following:

Dish TV Sat1 box - for your standard Live TV
SmartVU+ A7080 box - Live TV plus apps like TVNZ+, ThreeNow, Māori+ etc.
Dish TV S7070PVR satellite recorder - to record Live TV.

Or maybe you'd prefer to do away with the box altogether and plug directly into a new TV. Just make sure it's a dual-tuner TV.

Ready to just use apps? If you have good internet access, you can stream Live TV using the Freeview Streaming TV app - it's free and available to download on Smart TVs.

Pick up your new box or TV from trusted electronics retailers nationwide.

What to expect as we make the move.

Everyone across the industry is working together to deliver a seamless transition, with as little interruption to viewing as possible. Most Freeview viewers won't be affected by the changes. However, if you're tuned in through a satellite dish, it's good to be mindful of the following.

Accept TV Updates, channel surf, and retune if in doubt

When the satellite transition takes place in April, changes need to be made to our service and some channels. While this should be seamless for most devices, if your TV prompts you to accept an update, please do so. And if you miss an update and find one or two channels missing, channel surf through your list of TV stations to bring them back or retune your TV or box.

Satellite TV reception

If you're tuned into Freeview through a satellite dish and experience reception issues in certain parts of the day, it's likely that your satellite dish is not properly aligned, or is damaged. Please see here for more information and what you can do to address this.

Sign up for updates.

We'll keep you informed about this satellite transition and if there's anything else you need to know to keep watching your favourite channels.

Keep me updated

Why is this satellite transition taking place?

The satellite that currently carries New Zealand TV transmissions is retiring in May. We need to transition to a replacement satellite by April in order to ensure Freeview continues to be available via satellite.

Am I tuned in through satellite?

Here's a super easy way to tell how you're getting Freeview: check your channels!

If you're tuned in through a satellite dish, you should have George FM on channel 70.
If you're tuned in through a UHF aerial, you should have CH200 on channel 200.
And if you stream live TV using the Freeview Streaming TV app, you would have Juice TV on channel 38.

The satellite transition does affect you if you're tuned in through a UHF aerial or streaming live TV.

What do I need to do if I'm tuned in through satellite?

Check your box before April

If you’re tuned into Freeview through a satellite dish, we recommend you check your satellite box (if you use one).

Check if you can watch Sky Open, eden+1, Bravo+1 and Al Jazeera English on your satellite box.

If you can’t watch those channels, even after a retune, then it’s time to replace your satellite box. We recommend you replace old satellite boxes before 15 April.

If you can, then you’re all good.

Accept TV updates or retune in April

When the satellite transition takes place in early April, your box or TV may prompt you to OK an update, please accept the update. If you miss an update and find a couple channels missing, channel surf through your list of TV stations to bring them back, or give your TV or box a retune.

If you get Freeview through a UHF aerial or our Freeview Streaming TV app: you won't need to do anything at all.

Upgrade options to replace an older satellite box

If your satellite box needs an upgrade, you can choose from a range of options.

1. Stream Live TV with the Freeview Streaming TV app where there's good internet. Download our free app on most Smart TVs and it's preloaded on SmartVU devices.

2. Get a new satellite box such as a Dish TV SAT1 or A7080 box for an easy swap. To record live TV, opt for a Panasonic satellite recorder (model: DMRHST270) or a Dish TV satellite recorder (model: S7070pvr).

3. Get a dual-tuner TV if you want to do away with the box altogether. Learn more about dual tuner TVs here.

Pick up your upgrade from trusted electronics retailers nationwide.

Why do I need to upgrade my box?

Some satellite boxes last a long time! There are still a few older satellite boxes in use today that run on legacy broadcast standards.

Moving to the new satellite in April requires all channels to be transmitted using newer technical standards and methods (specifically DVB-S2 and MPEG4).

Unfortunately, older satellite boxes are not compatible with these new standards and would lose access to all channels when we move to the new satellite. Freeview-approved satellite boxes sold since 2017 are expected to be compatible, as are Freeview-approved dual tuner TVs.

Sky Open, eden+1, Bravo+1 and Al Jazeera already broadcast using the new standards or methods. If you can't watch those channels, then your satellite box is one of those older boxes and it's time to upgrade. Upgrade your satellite box as early as possible and before April to keep watching free live TV and futureproof your setup.

Will I need to repoint or adjust my satellite dish?

The new satellite is in the same position as the one it's replacing. This means most viewers won't need to adjust their satellite dish, so long as it's in good working order.

However, if your reception is very poor now, it's an indication that your satellite dish setup is faulty and may need an adjustment for ongoing reliable reception.

What if I get both Freeview and Sky through the same dish?

You can continue to watch Freeview as you do today. Just check any satellite box you're using for Freeview to see if it should be upgraded before 15 April.

How do we stay updated about this transition?

We're subscription-free, which means you don't need an account to watch Freeview. That makes it super easy to enjoy your favourite channels and shows. But it also means we don't have any contact details for you and can't reach out to keep you informed about this satellite update.

So, if you're tuned in to Freeview through a satellite dish, the best thing to do is to signup for updates, so we can update you on any changes and share important additional information as we work through final rounds of testing.

Need to know more?

Let us know if you have a question we've yet to cover and we'll do our best to hunt down an answer for you.

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