Four (stylised as FOUR; formerly TV4) was the second New Zealand television channel owned and operated by MediaWorks New Zealand, broadcast via the state-owned Kordia transmission network. The channel launched on 29 June 1997 as TV4 and was replaced by C4 on 3 October 2003. It was relaunched on 6 February 2011 as a separate channel from C4.

In general, the channel's target audience was 18- to 49-year-olds and could be broader in its appeal, with programming which attracted a wider, and more mature audience. During early mornings and late afternoons the channel screened a range of children's programming such as Sesame Street and in the evenings screened shows aimed at the mainstream audience. Overnight and late mornings – early afternoons the channel screened Infomercials and Auto TV (Car Commercials). Four broadcast mostly American programming, with the exception of Sticky TV, Four Live, and Smash, which were in-house produced Auckland-hosted youth shows, and the Pukana youth show, which was produced from a Maori language government fund. Pukana also airs on one of the two government funded Maori language channels.

On 2 July 2016, Mediaworks closed Four and replaced it with Bravo as part of a deal with NBC Universal.

History TV4 Overview

TV4 was an entertainment network catering to the 15-39 demographic and screened a wide range of imported shows, mainly from Viacom's catalogue, such as South Park, Beverly Hills 90210, and Beavis and Butt-Head. After 2000, new programming was scarce, with the infiltration of 1980's and 1990's repeats. On October 3, 2003, TV4 was replaced by music channel C4.

Launch plans The history of Four dates back to October when TV3 decided to announce the launch a second TV channel called TV4, scheduled for June 1997. Initially, it would air for twelve hours a day and would reach 60% of the national population. No news and current affairs programmes were scheduled, while there was also going to be a substantial amount of local productions.TV3 targets younger viewers with TV4. (1996, Oct 03). Dominion The network employed the VHF band, which implied several gaps in the national coverage. Areas which as of the 2 October 1996 launch announcement were excluded were the Far North, Hawke's Bay, Taupo, eastern Bay of Plenty, Nelson and Blenheim, Oamaru, Central Otago and the West Coast.SIEVERS, J. (1996, Oct 03). Region to miss new channel. Daily News

The creation of the new channel caused panic at TVNZ, whose chief executive Chris Anderson thought that TV4 would challenge the audience of its two channels, given that it and TV3, owing to their Canwest ownership, which claimed to have "deep pockets", enabling "increasing access to foreign programming".HERRICK, L. (1996, Oct 06). TVNZ panic at news of new channel. Sunday Star - Times John Wright, formerly of Channel 2 and Telecom's First Media cable TV company, was appointed director of programming in December.TV programming post. (1996, Dec 09). Evening Post By early 1997, it was reported that TV4 was set to acquire programmes from alternative sources, which would also imply that the new channel would air a substantial amount of Canadian imports. TV3's acquisitions team did not buy "quality" imports, meaning that its launch would include B-grade imports.DRINNAN, J. (1997, Feb 23). TV3 cries foul at `hoarding' of programmes. Sunday Star - Times A volume deal with MTV was on the cards in April, which was set to include Beavis and Butt-Head, a show TVNZ rejected to buy because of its crude humour.WAKEFIELD, P. (1997, Apr 09). Sister channel may air MTV line-up. Evening Post

The upcoming launch of the new channel caused a series of changes to the transmitter networks, causing the existing channels to announce retune plans. Kapiti missed out on the launch of the channel because of possible interference with TV One's transmitter in Palmerston North.New TV channel means changes in some places. (1997, Apr 17). Evening Post The full line-up was announced on 19 April by two former TV2 executives, Bettina Hollings (channel manager) and John Wright. Hollings announced that it would create a new generation, the ACES generation: A for alienated, C for cynical, E for experimental and S for savvy. The core 25-39 demographic was touted as "screenagers", the "neo-young" group which associated itself with youth culture. The launch was scheduled for 29 June.DRINNAN, J. (1997, Apr 20). Channel tries hard for aces. Sunday Star - Times

On air The channel launched on 29 June 1997 with a boxing match between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield. It operated from 10am to midnight; with infomercials screening from 10am for up to four hours. At 4pm on launch day, a half-hour introductory programme was broadcast.TV4 launches with big clash. (1997, Jun 28). The Press Its launch wasn't spared from controversy, as TVNZ sought a high court injunction on the eves of its launch to prevent Canwest from screening several MTV titles when the competing broadcaster was setting up a local version of MTV using the frequencies of the former Horizon Pacific Television network of regional channels. TV3 appealed.TVNZ beats TV3 challenge over MTV shows. (1997, Jun 28). Dominion Contemporary reactions to the launch of both TV4 and MTV favoured TV4 more, as the MTV relay mostly aired music video programming.It's channel surfing time for Generation X. (1997, Jun 29). Sunday News Coverage issues and the move of the Star Trek franchise to TV4 implied that fans in TV4 black spots lost access to the series and were hoping for a solution to bring the channel, such a case involved the Inangahua area in the South Island's West Coast, where TV3 took a few years to become available.`Trek' fans seek beam. (1997, Jul 04). The Press In some areas, it replaced TV3, which moved to new frequencies. The transmitter shake-ups at the time confused TV3's viewers.Over - 30s miss out in tv programming. (1997, Jul 07). Evening Post

On 9 July, TV3 protested again at the High Court, this time regarding the airing of Beavis and Butt-Head on MTV Europe, which TVNZ was relaying on UHF. Both TV4 and MTV were, however, showing different episodes of the same series, while other titles were seen on both channels. MTV reportedly sold a set of episodes to TV4, as well as non-exclusive rights to the series.Beavis and butthead reach appeal court. (1997, Jul 10). Evening Post TV3 won the appeal on 15 July, forbidding TVNZ from airing episodes of the series on its MTV channel, while TV4 was given a two-year exclusivity contract.Butt out MTV - Appeal Court: [3 edition]. (1997, Jul 16). Evening Post

Ratings for the channel were low, registering a 1% share in the late August to early September period.Youth channels low in ratings. (1997, Oct 23). The Press Coinciding with its first test cricket telecasts in November, Canwest began a period of negotiations with Sky Network Television to include the channel in its satellite service, solving the coverage problem.WAKEFIELD, P. (1997, Nov 13). TV4 pins hope on satellite penetration. Evening Post Bettina Rollings became in charge of programming at both TV4 and TV3 when the latter's director Gary Brown left in December 1997.New boss named. (1997, Dec 06). Dominion

A full year after launching, TV4's programme manager Penny Win said that TV4's growth exceeded all expectations: the average amount of viewers over the age of 5 who tuned in at least one minute was 377,000 in January 1998, rising to 454,000 in May.TV4 one year old. (1998, Jun 30). The Press Bettina Hollings left TV4 (and by extension TV3) in July 1999, as she planned to move to New York City.Director to go. Evening Post At the same time, ratings for the channel continued under the 5% mark.RIORDAN, D. (1999, Jul 25). TV3 still struggling. Sunday Star - Times

Reformat As Canwest's operations in New Zealand were struggling financially, the group opted to cut on its promotion for TV4 in 1999 in order to concentrate its efforts on TV3. August 1999 saw the creation of a petition from a Raetihi local to finally have access to the channel in Taranaki by mid-2000, earlier than what Canwest promised (by 2002). If David Stuckey's petition hit 5,000 signatories, his promise would be achieved. His cause also justified that TV4 had the third highest amount of British content on national television and the highest amount of Māori content, which was seen as useful to counter the American influence of the larger channels. Furthermore, it would help attenuate the rift between rural and urban areas.BIRCH, M. (1999, Aug 13). Petition could send earlier TV4 signal. Daily News By September, his petition was attracting 180 signatures from Hawera, with the total standing in at 400.BIRCH, M. (1999, Sep 14). Television fan's petition seeks TV4 for Taranaki. Daily News By 1 November, it had reached 2,000 signatures, after extending the cut-off date from 23 October to 20 November.Nearly 2000 signatures in TV4 petition. (1999, Nov 02).

Kristin Marlow was appointed director of programmes of both TV3 and TV4 on 20 September 1999.TV programming appointment. (1999, Sep 21). Evening Post On 5 March 2000, TV4 started broadcasting on Sky, becoming the second free-to-air channel to join, after TV3.TV4 on sky. (2000, Mar 01). Dominion

TV4 restored theme nights and added music programming in late 2001, but the ratings did not increase in tandem. Moreover, if the channel would become a music channel, as a niche channel, its audience would fall to 1-2% share.

Closure plans In February 2002, it was reported that Canwest could lease TV4's transmitter network to carry the upcoming Māori Television Service. This plan implied TV4's closure in 2003 to be replaced by the new channel. TV4 was operating at heavy losses and there was no turnaround point.PURDY, K. (2002, Feb 17). Auckland angle for ailing TV4. Sunday Star - Times MTS wanted to use TV4's VHF transmitter network in order to have the widest reach, an estimated 74% of the population.Ruth Berry (2002, May 16). Offer CanWest radio frequency for TV4 - MTS. Evening Post When John Davy was the MTS head in April, there were two plans: TV3 would ultimately use Māori Television during TV4's downtime, while Māori Television under John Davy suggested that TV4 would shut down completely.Jonathan Milne (2002, Apr 11). Maori Television may buy TV4. Dominion By November it had inked a new deal with Canwest;Ruth Berry (2002, Nov 08). Maori Television makes bid for TV4. Dominion Post the plan was ultimately rejected with MTS building up its own UHF network in its place.Maori TV to start this year. (2003, Jan 29). The Press A hearing took place on 18 November, the result of which was inconclusive.Maori TV still in limbo. (2002, Nov 19). Dominion Post The deal was expected to cost between NZ$6.2 million and NZ$7.2 million; Canwest would also sell two of its Auckland radio stations.Ruth Berry (2002, Nov 22). Cabinet tension on Maori TV. Dominion Post

In April 2003, it was announced that TV4 would be replaced by a music video channel, largely targeting the 15-19 demographic.TV4 to be relaunched as youth music channel, The New Zealand Herald, retrieved 1 January 2026, archived 1 January 2026 The announcement on 22 April came two days after sister channel TV3 underwent a massive rebrand operation.Drinnan, J. (2003, Apr). New Zealand: TV4 woos auds with music. Variety, 390, 27. C4 took over on 3 October 2003; the new channel, while having a strong emphasis on music videos, still had some carryovers from the previous TV4 format.REED, M. N. (2003, Sep 28). Can't stop the music. Sunday Star - Times

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