ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

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.

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. 

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.

Most viewers in mainland New Zealand can expect to experience better satellite TV reception after the satellite transition. However, if you experience intermittent reception issues, please contact an installer to check and improve your satellite dish setup.

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

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.

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 15th to keep watching free live TV and futureproof your setup.

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. 

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.