NZ Herald’s Media Insider has released its annual predictions for the media landscape in 2026. Among others, it predicts:
Not sure where the MI got this one - Sky has the rights through for the 2027 men’s event and the 2029 women’s.
From the AI slop factory, perhaps?
Currently, as far as I am concerned, there is no official confirmation that Stuff is losing the 6pm ThreeNews contract. However, the introduction of NZME-produced content (like Herald NOW) onto Sky-owned platforms (e.g. Three, ThreeNow) creates a ‘two-horse race’ for who will eventually provide Three’s primary news service.
https://www.sky.co.nz/sky-reveals-broadcast-and-talent-plans-for-olympic-winter-games-milano
In a closer event, the AO, Sky has enough channels to fully capture the global offering.
SS4 is the whiparound AO Now! show (based on endtime, it will finish when there’s one match remaining), SS5 is Rod Laver, SS6 is Margaret and SS7 is John Cain. There was never a statement about whether SS1 consists of the world feed or matches selected by Sky.
Sky Open launching on +HR=E NOW, will be handy.
Just checked ThreeNow a short time ago (at the time of writing) and it seems that Sky Open is not yet available. It will be on as sooner as possible.
I imagine they might time it either to coincide with the freeview channel shuffle late January, or for the Games start. Probably the latter.
Home and Away returns for 2026 on TVNZ 2 on Monday, February 2 at 7pm.
It will be followed by the new season premiere of RPA on Thursday, February 5 at 7.30pm.
Season 8 of Travel Guides premieres on TVNZ 1 on Sunday, February 1 at the earlier time of 7pm. It continues in its regular timeslot of 7.30pm Sundays and Mondays from February 2. This season includes a NZ cruise episode.
It will move back to 6:30pm when Shortland Street 2026 premieres February 16.
That article mentions that Sky’s rugby league caller Glen Larmer is moving to other sports in 2026. That will be of interest to Aussies who watch the Warriors’ home games on Fox League.
“Beavan Dewar is Sky’s principal caller for Warriors men’s matches. This was put in place towards the end of the 2025 season and will continue through 2026," said (Sky TV spokeswoman Karina) Healy.
“Glen Larmer remains a valued member of our Sky Sport commentary team. I don’t have anything to share today in terms of what he will be calling this year.”
But Fox haven’t taken the Sky Warriors call in years.
Wonder those new shows will end up on Three. I heard NCIS: Sydney will not return to TVNZ for a third season, I reckon that Three will take over their free to air rights
A new season of MAFS AU premieres Monday February 9th at 7pm on Three/ThreeNow. As traditional, it will follow a week after the Australian broadcast.
FBI and FBI: Most Wanted will also air after MAFS on Three Mondays starting Feb 9. Both of the shows was previously on Sky Open.
Overview of season 13 of MAFS and profiles of participants
SkyFree’s Freeivew LCN swap has happened today (as previously scheduled).
Eden+1 is currently still broadcasting, but hasn’t a LCN assigned. I guess they’ll quietly shut it off later on today?