WHAT IS CHANGING

The transmission provider JDA will change frequencies used to deliver existing Freeview|HD services in Gisborne, Nelson and Timaru in April 2015 so as to comply with the radio spectrum plan set out by the Ministry of Business Innovation & Employment.  The radio spectrum plan ensure New Zealand is using its available radio spectrum as efficiently as possible. 

Following these changes, some viewers using UHF aerials to pick up TV signal may find some channels "missing". 

A retune of your TV, receiver or recorder box will restore all channels.  Please see Retune Tips here.

Viewers using Satellite Dish will not be affected by these changes.  If you're experiencing reception issues on satellite, you may need to adjust your dish or LNB, for more information, please see satellite tips here.

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SCHEDULE OF CHANGES

Gisborne:         15 April 2015 from 00:05am to 04:00am;

Nelson:             22 April 2015 from 00:05am to 04:00am;

Timaru:             29 April 2015 from 00:05am to 04:00am;

Dates may change if weather conditions are not optimal for work to be carried out.  Updates will be made to this schedule in that event.

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CHANNELS/SERVICES AFFECTED

The below channels may be affected for Gisborne, Nelson and Timaru viewers using a UHF aerial:

TVNZ Multiplex (MUX):  ONE (1), TV2 (2), ONE plus 1 (6), TV2 plus 1 (7).

JDA Multiplex (MUX):    Prime (10), Choice TV (12), Al Jazeera English (16), Te Reo (24), Firstlight (25), East Coast Television (36, Gisborne only), CTV (40, South Canterbury only).

Channels on the MediaWorks Multiplex (MUX) will not be affected, so TV3 (3), FOUR (4), The Edge TV (11), TV3 plus 1 (8) and FOUR plus 1 (9) will not be affected.  If you've lost TV3, FOUR, The Edge TV, this is likely a reception issue.  Typically that's caused by antenna or set-up faults.  Please contact your installer who can investigate the faults and correct.

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WHAT SHOULD I DO?

If you go to those channels and see a "NO SIGNAL" or "NO SERVICE" message on / after the dates set out in the Schedule of Changes above, please retune your device to restore all channels.  

Once restored, all channels would have the same channel numbers as before.

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HOW DO I RETUNE?

• If you'd like retune guidance, go to a channel 500 on your TV (using your remote), see here or refer to the User Guide for your device.
• If you'd like additional troubleshooting or further retune assistance, please contact the manufacturer of your device.  A list of contact details can be found here.  You can also self-troubleshoot, try this troubleshooting info sheet.
• If you're the operator of a multi-unit dwelling, a motel or hotel, please contact your installer now for retune assistance.  A directory of installers can be found here if needed.
• If you live in an apartment or managed complex, please retune and see the troubleshooting info here if required.  Note: you may need to alert your building manager if a retune is not successful and ask that your building manager contact the installer to adjust the MATV system servicing your apartment complex.

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HOW WILL OTHER VIEWERS IN MY AREA FIND OUT ABOUT THIS?

The below message pop up is placed onscreen on ONE and TV2 a week prior to each change in Gisborne, Nelson and Timaru.

Sample image showing onscreen message for Gisborne.

This message appears for 15 seconds up to 3 times a day when you change channel.

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TECHNICAL INFORMATION FOR INSTALLERS

Please see below a schedule of changes with site and new RF numbers:

GISBORNE

Site:  Parikanapa  (covering Gisborne area)

TVNZ Mux:  No Change

JDA Mux:   Changing from RF 44 to RF 36.

Site:  Wheatstone Road  (Gisborne City In-fill)

TVNZ Mux:  Changing from RF 41 to RF 35.

JDA Mux:   Changing from RF 47 to RF 37.

NELSON

Site:  Mt Campbell (covering Nelson, Motueka & Takaka)

TVNZ Mux:  Changing from RF 41 to RF 35.

JDA MUX:  Changing from RF 47 to RF 37.

Site:  Botanical Ridge / Kaka Hill (Nelson City In-fill)

TVNZ Mux:  Changing from RF 40 to RF 34.

JDA MUX:  Changing from RF 42 to RF 36.

TIMARU

Site:  Cave Hill (Timaru, South Canterbury)

TVNZ Mux:  Changing from RF 43 to RF 35.

JDA MUX:  No Change.

Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Radio Spectrum Management Digital Channels Table can be downloaded from here.

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DISCLAIMER |

Please note these changes are not planned by or carried out by Freeview.  Freeview is simply communicating this to help the transmission provider successfully complete this restack.

As Freeview is not a manufacturer or installer of digital TV equipment or systems, technical assistance is best offered by either the manufacturer for your device or an installer.

For more information about MBIE's Radio Spectrum Plan, please see the RSM website here.

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