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We're moving to a new satellite.

The satellite currently carrying New Zealand free-to-air TV broadcasts is near the end of its life and will be retired soon, so Freeview's satellite TV service needs to move to a replacement satellite in April 2025.

Transmission provider Kordia is working with Optus to provide a replacement satellite solution with minimal disruption to viewing. We'll be able to share information about that replacement satellite once full details are confirmed.

These changes won't affect Freeview homes tuned in through UHF or the Freeview Streaming TV app, and there's likely no need to adjust your satellite dish if it's used to access only Freeview.

However, some details are still to be confirmed as preparations remain underway, and depending on those, a small number of viewers may need to rescan or change their TV setup.

We'll keep this page updated with the latest information, or you can sign up to receive email updates.

What to expect before April 2025

Everyone across the industry is working together towards a seamless transition to the replacement satellite in April 2025, with minimal impact for viewers.

Most Freeview viewers won't be affected by the changes ahead. However, if you're tuned in through a satellite dish, it's good to be mindful of the following.

Channel updates on Freeview's satellite TV service

Sky Open, eden+1, Bravo+1 and Al Jazeera needed to be updated on 22 January 2025 to prepare for the replacement satellite (learn more here). If you can no longer watch those channels after 22 January 2025 (even after a retune), then it's time to upgrade your satellite box.

Satellite TV reception

As the current satellite nears the end of its life, its signal is becoming marginally more variable. While this doesn't affect most satellite viewers, faulty or damaged satellite TV setups are more susceptible to minor signal variations, which typically result in poor TV reception around the same time each day. Reception issues can also be more pronounced if you live in very remote regions such as the Chatham Islands. Please see here for more information if this relates to you.

What should I do?

Before you do, check your box and satellite dish setup, see details below. This will help you stay informed about what's most relevant to you and your setup.

When details are finalised, we'll be in touch to let you know if you need to do anything.

Check your box.

Check any satellite receiver or recorder you're using, including ones at the bach.

Go to channel 20 on your satellite box and see if you can watch Al Jazeera English.

If not, select 'No Al Jazeera' when you sign up for updates.

If this is you, you will need to replace your satellite box to keep watching all your favourite channels. Some channels need to update on 22 January in preparation for the satellite replacement, you'll lose those channels unless you replace your box.

Got both Sky and Freeview through a single dish?

If you're using a single satellite dish to access both Freeview as well as Sky, select 'I have both Freeview and Sky' when you sign up for updates.

We'll share advice on what you may need to do, if anything at all.

Reception issues?

If you're tuned into Freeview through a satellite dish and experiencing 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 what you can do to address this.

And when you sign up for updates, please select 'Yes, I'm experiencing reception issues'.

Sign up for updates.

It's easy as.

We'll keep you informed of changes as part of this satellite transition and what you may need to do 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 soon, so we need to transition to a replacement satellite by April in order to ensure Freeview continues to be available via satellite.

What do I need to do?

If you tune into Freeview through a satellite dish:

Check to see if you can get Al Jazeera on channel 20. If you can't, you will need to replace your box.
Check if you're getting Sky and Freeview from a single satellite dish.
Then sign up to receive updates. When key details are finalised, we'll let you know if you need to do anything.

Note: you won't need to adjust your satellite dish if it's used solely to access Freeview.

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

I can't watch Al Jazeera, what do I need to do?

If you can't watch Al Jazeera on channel 20, your satellite box is too old and needs to be replaced.

You can choose from a range of replacement options.

Where there’s good internet: stream Live TV channels with the Freeview Streaming TV app, it's free to download on most Smart TVs and preloaded onto SmartVU dongles.
If you prefer a ‘like for like’ setup, you can get a new satellite box.
If you’d like to go ‘box-free’, get a dual-tuner TV. Available across the Samsung, Panasonic and LG range, and on select Veon and JVC models.

Pick up your new satellite box, SmartVU dongle or dual-tuner TV from trusted electronics retailers nationwide.

why do I need to replace my box?

Some satellite boxes last a long time! There are still a small number of older satellite boxes in use today are limited to an outdated form of TV transmission.

As part of the satellite transition, Freeview's satellite TV service need to be updated. Sky Open, eden+1, Bravo+1 and Al Jazeera will be updated on 22 January, with further network updates required ahead of the satellite replacement in April.

Unfortunately, older satellite boxes can't pickup the updated channels and need to be replaced. Unless replaced, older satellite boxes will lose all channels when further network updates are made.

Do I need to repoint or adjust my satellite dish?

If you're using your satellite dish just for Freeview, you most likely wouldn't need to adjust it to keep watching Live TV after the satellite transition.

The only exception is if your satellite dish is severely misaligned or damaged, it's a good idea to contact an installer to correct your satellite setup and ensure your dish is accurately aligned if you experience ongoing reception issues after the satellite transition.

Am I tuned in through satellite?

This satellite change is only relevant to you if you're tuned into Freeview through a satellite dish.

It's not always easy to tell how you might be tuning in. Here's a super easy way: 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 using the Freeview Streaming TV App, you would have Juice TV on channel 38.

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

Depending on the final form of the satellite solution (to be confirmed in early 2025), you may need to make some changes to your setup. As we get more details, we'll share advice on what you may need to do to keep watching Freeview, if anything at all.

The best thing to do is to sign up for updates and select 'I have both Freeview and Sky' so we can keep you informed.

Why do I need to sign up for updates?

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 keep you in the loop when we have full details about the final satellite solution.

Need to know more?

Let us know if you have questions we haven't covered yet and we'll do our best to hunt down an answer for you.

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