1997 in New Zealand television

This is a list of New Zealand television events and premieres which occurred, or are scheduled to occur, in 1997, the 37th year of continuous operation of television in New Zealand.

List of years in New Zealand television
… 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 …
Art Archaeology Architecture Literature Music Philosophy Science +...

This is a list of New Zealand television-related events in 1997.

Events

• 1 January – Famous television channel for cartoons Cartoon Network is launched in New Zealand for the first time.
• 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.

Debuts

Domestic

• March – McDonald's Young Entertainers (TV2) (1997–1999)
• 11 August – Breakfast (TV One) (1997–present)
• 1 October – Duggan (TV One) (1997–1999)
• Treasure Island (TVNZ) (1997–present)

International

• 15 July – The Story of Bean (TV One)
• Cow and Chicken (TV2)
• Full Circle with Michael Palin (TV One)
• Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV3)
• Strange Universe (TV2)
• Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher (TV2)
• Bump in the Night (TV2)
• Hey Arnold! (TV2)
• Suddenly Susan (TV3)
• King of the Hill (TV3)
• Pandora's Clock (TV3)
• Sabrina the Teenage Witch (TV3)

Subscription television

Subscription premieres

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

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

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

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

International

Program	New network(s)	Previous network(s)	Date
Neighbours	TV4	TV2	1997

New channels

Free for air

• 29 June – TV4

Cable

• 1 January – Cartoon Network

Television shows

• What Now (1981–present)
• Letter to Blanchy (1989, 1994–1997)
• Shortland Street (1992–present)
• You and Me (1993–1998)
• Squirt (1996–2006)
• City Life (1996–1998)
• Breakfast (1997–present)
• McDonald's Young Entertainers (1997–1999)

Ending this year

• Letter to Blanchy (TV One/TV3) (1994–1997)