Sky, Freeview or satellite
Sky Digital
For listeners who have difficulty receiving National or Concert, or who want to receive National in better than AM quality, both services are also available on the Sky Digital network.
RNZ National is on Channel 421 and RNZ Concert is on Channel 422. For more information visit the Sky website.
Freeview
RNZ National and RNZ Concert are both available on Freeview.
Freeview is available either by UHF aerial or by satellite. Satellite allows the service to reach 100% of the country while the terrestrial service that carries RNZ National and RNZ Concert is available to about 86% of the population. At this stage RNZ Concert is not available on Freeview HD (Terrestrial UHF) in Taranaki.
A Freeview or other digital receiver is required to convert the digital signals into pictures and sound. All new TVs have Freeview HD terrestrial receivers built in, or you can buy a separate receiver to connect to your older television. Some TVs have a built-in satellite receiver.
Consumers have to pay a one-off cost for the receiver, and an aerial or satellite dish if they don't have one, but after that it is free, there is no ongoing subscription.
Freeview decoders are available nationwide. They come with an electronic programme guide listing all the available channels; there are approved installers, and technical support is available.
On both forms of Freeview:
- RNZ National is on Channel 50.
- RNZ Concert is on Channel 51.
RNZ National is available in stereo on the terrestrial Freeview HD service.
The Freeview website has more information.
Free to Air Satellite Reception
The Sky and Freeview transmissions of National and Concert can also be received by using suitable satellite equipment with no ongoing subscription fees. The transmissions are in DVB compatible, 'Free to Air' format. The Optus satellite provides reception to all of New Zealand including the Chatham Islands.
Sky
- Satellite - Optus D1 160E
- Transponder 5L
- Frequency 12519 H (Horizontal)
- Symbol Rate SR 22500
- Forward Error correction Fec ¾
- PCR for both: 8190
- National: Audio PID = 1151, Service ID = 1101
- Concert: Audio PID = 1152, Service ID = 1102.
Freeview
- Satellite Optus D1 160E
- Transponder NZ12L
- Frequency 12456 H (Horizontal)
- Symbol rate SR 22500
- Forward Error correction Fec ¾
- National Audio PID = 659, Service ID = 1929
- Concert Audio PID = 660, Service ID = 1930.
