Freeview NextGen launching in New Zealand
May 18, 2026
Freeview is set to launch Freeview NextGen in New Zealand, a new service expanding its ability to TV channels to Kiwis in an increasingly streaming-led world.
Built on the global DVB-I standard, Freeview NextGen is on track to be the world’s first nationwide free-to-air TV platform powered by this solution. This new service delivers channels seamlessly over the internet while maintaining the familiar experience of watching live TV.
Freeview NextGen allows viewers to tune in to Freeview channels via WIFI or broadband, without the need for a dedicated app, a satellite dish or aerial connection.
The introduction of Freeview NextGen will ensure free-to-air channels remain easy to find and universally available as TV designs and setups evolve, all the while preserving a quintessential local TV experience. The new service is also designed to work in harmony with traditional TV setups. For viewers who choose to connect both an antenna and broadband, Freeview NextGen will combine both signals into a single, clutter-free TV Guide. This hybrid approach automatically removes duplicate channels and provides access to the widest possible range of content all in one place.
Freeview, alongside launch partners Hisense and TCL, expect to debut Freeview NextGen in Q3 2026.
Leon Mead, General Manager, Freeview, commented: “Freeview NextGen represents momentum in futureproofing free-to-air television for all
New Zealanders. There is no doubt we love streaming live TV, and Freeview NextGen makes this simpler than ever. While the trusty aerial and satellite will be around for a while, this is the future for TV.”
Watching TV channels over WIFI with Freeview NextGen will not require downloading any apps as it will be integrated as part of the native TV interface and setup process. At launch, this will only be available on TCL and Hisense TVs, but will become widely available as more brands adopt the standard.