Sky Open – NZ TV with world-class sport, Kiwi stories and global entertainment. - Sky

A.   Sky Open is available on Freeview channel 15, Sky channel 4, and can be streamed free via Sky Go on web or the app.

A.   Sky Open is free to air on Freeview channel 15 and Sky channel 4 however, there are other ways access all our great content, find out more here.

A.   No, you can watch on Freeview channel 15 or stream via the Sky Go website or app. You don’t need to be a Sky customer to watch Sky Open, however you can watch the channel via a Sky Box or Sky Pod. 

A.   Yes, you can watch Sky Open on Sky Go free from any device, anywhere in New Zealand. You can stream the channel Live or watch shows On Demand – all free to view!

A.   Anyone can watch Sky Open on Sky Go, whether you’re a Sky customer or not. It’s easy! Simply click here for a how-to guide. 

A.   Yes, find out what’s coming up on Sky Open over the next few weeks from our Sky TV Guide available here.

A.   We’re committed to delivering a selection of world-class sport to our free-to-air viewers. This includes regular Friday night NRL games, Saturday night Super Rugby Pacific games, All Blacks and Silver Ferns test matches, English Premier League Football, Australian Open Tennis, UFC Prelims plus a selection of highlights from some of the biggest sports - A League Football, Formula 1,  Supercars, World SVNS, DP World Tour and LPGA golf. 

A.   Yes, there will be advertising on Sky Open, as is the case with all free-to-all channels.

A.   Sky Open is the new home for many of Prime’s programmes, including Ambulance, Traffic Cops, American Pickers, Pawn Stars and the very best HBO content like House Of The Dragon and The Last Of Us.

A.   Yes, The Crowd Goes Wild is on Sky Open – Mondays and Thursdays at 7pm.

A.   Absolutely! We’re committed to telling uniquely Kiwi stories and Sky Open is the home for our local programming.

A.   Sky Open is the new name of Sky’s free-to-air channel (formerly known as Prime). Sky Open is part of Sky’s commitment to connect New Zealanders with the sport and entertainment they love, in ways that work for them. Sky Open will showcase a wide range of exciting content, including locally-produced shows from Sky Originals NZ, news, exclusive Sky Sport coverage, documentaries, and entertainment – all free-to-air.

A.   Sky Open is fully owned by Sky Network Television, a proudly New Zealand company.  

A.   The channel’s look and feel – including the name and logo – switched over at 6am on Wednesday 23 August.

A.   Prime has been replaced by Sky Open. This bold and energetic new brand is reflective of the diverse and exciting range of programmes available on the channel.

A.   Yes, Prime+1 has changed to Sky Open+1, remaining on Freeview channel 21 and Sky channel 514.

A.   Recorded programmes saved in your MySky planner will not be affected, they’ll still be there for you to watch when you wish.

A.   Sky is proud to bring engaging entertainment and sports content to all New Zealanders. Sky Open offers viewers an opportunity to watch international and locally produced programmes, all free-to-air. Our new free-to-air channel, Sky Open, enables Sky to create a bold and distinctive channel identity that is connected to our family of Sky platforms and channels. 

A.   There is no fee or subscription payment required to watch the programmes on Sky Open. You can stream free via Sky Go online or on the app, watch free via Freeview on channel 15, or if you’re a Sky box customer, Sky Open is included in the Sky Starter package along with other Freeview channels at no extra cost.

Changes to classification labels and timebands take effect on 1 May 2020 across free-to-air TV channels in New Zealand. The PGR and AO labels are being replaced with G, PG, M, 16 and 18 labels. This will bring consistency with Pay TV and other streaming services. 

There are also changes to some of the timebands which dictate when different programmes can be shown. The 8.30pm watershed for 16+ programmes remains the same. M content can be played from 7.30pm and G and PG content can play at any time.

To help you decide what you and your family watch, we will also be increasing the use of classification labels, and you will see advisory symbols (L, V, C and S) to indicate the content of some programmes. 

To give you more control, parental lock features are available on Sky, Freeview and Vodafone enabled TVs to help manage what children in your care watch.

For more information, and some useful tips about how to keep your kids safe when watching TV go to www.safeviewing.co.nz. 

Classifications:

For the purposes of these classifications a child means a person under the age of 14 years.

G – GENERAL: APPROVED FOR GENERAL VIEWING

Programmes which exclude material likely to be unsuitable for children. Programmes may not necessarily be designed for child viewers but should not contain material likely to alarm or distress them. G programmes may be screened at any time.

PG – PARENTAL GUIDANCE: PARENTAL GUIDANCE RECOMMENDED FOR YOUNGER VIEWERS

Programmes containing material more suited for mature audiences but not necessarily unsuitable for child viewers when subject to the guidance of a parent or an adult. PG programmes may be screened at any time.

M - MATURE AUDIENCES: SUITABLE FOR MATURE AUDIENCES 16 YEARS AND OVER

The M classification means the programme might contain violence, sexual material, offensive language, adult themes, nudity, or other content that some children and parents find challenging. The programme may contain content with a moderate impact and themes that require a mature outlook. On free-to-air television, M programmes may be screened between 9am and 3pm on weekdays (except during school and public holidays, as designated by the Ministry of Education) and after 7.30pm until 5am.

16 - PEOPLE UNDER 16 YEARS SHOULD NOT VIEW

Programmes classified 16 contain stronger material or special elements which are outside the M classification. These programmes may contain a greater degree of sexual material, offensive language, realistic violence, and stronger adult themes.On free-to-air television 16 programmes may be screened after 8.30pm until 5am.

18 - PEOPLE UNDER 18 YEARS SHOULD NOT VIEW

Programmes classified 18 contain themes which may be challenging or offensive even to some adult viewers. On free-to-air television 18 programmes may be screened after 9.30pm until 5am.

Unclassified Programming
News, current affairs, sports and live content is not, because of its distinct nature, subject to classification. However, broadcasters must be mindful of children’s interests (Standard 3) and other broadcasting standards and include audience advisories (i.e. a warning) where appropriate.

If a programme is likely to disturb or offend a significant number of viewers, or progamme content is likely to be outside audience expectations, an appropriate written, or written and verbal, on-screen audience advisory (warning) should also be broadcast.

Audience Advisories

C: CONTENT MAY OFFEND
L: LANGUAGE MAY OFFEND
V: CONTAINS VIOLENCE
S: SEXUAL CONTENT MAY OFFEND