1997 in New Zealand television

This is a list of New Zealand television events and premieres that occurred in 1997, the 38th year of continuous operation of television in New Zealand.

List of years in New Zealand television
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Events

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  • 1 January – Cartoon Network shifted from HBO to Orange running from 6am to 4pm daily. HBO extended its transmission hours and started playing 24 hours a day.
  • 29 June – The fourth television channel TV4 launches.
  • 11 August – TVNZ launches Breakfast with hosts Mike Hosking and Susan Wood.
  • CanWest takes full ownership of TV3.
  • American animated comedy series King of the Hill is transmitted on TV3.
  • After a decade of appearing on multiple programmes, beloved children's television icon Thingee is retired from New Zealand television.

Debuts

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Domestic

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International

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Subscription television

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Subscription premieres

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This is a list of programs which made their premiere on New Zealand subscription television that had previously premiered on New Zealand free-to-air television. Programs may still air on the original free-to-air television network.

International

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Program Subscription network Free-to-air network Date
  The Flintstones Cartoon Network TV2 1997
  Tom and Jerry Cartoon Network TV2 1997
  The All-New Popeye Show Cartoon Network TV One, TV2 1997

Changes to network affiliation

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This is a list of programs which made their premiere on a New Zealand television network that had previously premiered on another New Zealand television network. The networks involved in the switch of allegiances are predominantly both free-to-air networks or both subscription television networks. Programs that have their free-to-air/subscription television premiere, after previously premiering on the opposite platform (free-to air to subscription/subscription to free-to air) are not included. In some cases, programs may still air on the original television network. This occurs predominantly with programs shared between subscription television networks.

Domestic

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Program New network(s) Previous network(s) Date
Squirt TV2 TV3 1997

International

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Program New network(s) Previous network(s) Date
  Neighbours TV4 TV2 1997
  Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends TV3 TV One 1997

New channels

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Free for air

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  • 29 June – TV4

Cable

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Television shows

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Ending this year

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