This is a list of New Zealand television events and premieres that occurred in 2015, the 56th year of continuous operation of television in New Zealand.
Events 22 February – An episode of The X Factor causes controversy after featuring a man convicted of manslaughter auditioning for the programme and reaching the Boot Camp stage. 1 March – TV3 series The X Factor apologises after broadcasting an episode featuring convicted killer Shae Brider, who auditioned for the show, thus causing distress to the family of his victim. 16 March – X Factor judges Natalia Kills and husband Willy Moon are fired from the series by TV3 for launching into a tirade against contestant Joe Irvine on the previous day's show. 19 March – Natalia Kills and Willy Moon apologise for the X Factor tirade. I am Giant drummer Shelton Woolright and Australian singer Natalie Bassingthwaighte will replace the couple. 12 April – TV3 announces that its Sunday evening news bulletin will be shortened to 30 minutes from 24 May. 18 May - Beau Monga wins the second series of The X Factor. 21 May - TV3 announces (on Budget day) that the Campbell Live current affairs programme is to be axed, and replaced by a Monday to Thursday current affairs programme to follow the news. 8 June – Launch of Newsworthy, TV3's new late night weekday news programme, which is presented by Sam Hayes and David Farrier. 19 July - Stars in Their Eyes host Simon Barnett and his partner Vanessa Cole win the sixth series of Dancing with the Stars.
Premieres Domestic series + Program Original airdate Network Ref Westside 31 May TV3
International series + Program Original airdate Network Country of origin Ref In the Club TV One United Kingdom Judge Rinder TV2 United Kingdom Thunderbirds Are Go TV2 United Kingdom, New Zealand Humans TV3 United Kingdom, United States The X Factor TV3 United Kingdom Battle Creek TV One United States Heroes Reborn TV3 United States The Player TV One United States The Muppets TV2 United States Supergirl TV2 United States The Octonauts TBA TV2 United Kingdom, Ireland
Telemovies and miniseries + Program Original airdate Network Ref
Documentaries + Domestic television documentary premieres on New Zealand television in 2015 Program Original airdate(s) Network Ref
Specials + Program Original airdate(s) Network(s) Ref
Programming changes Programmes changing networks Criterion for inclusion in the following list is that New Zealand premiere episodes will air in New Zealand for the first time on the new network. This includes when a program is moved from a free-to-air network's primary channel to a digital multi-channel, as well as when a program moves between subscription television channels – provided the preceding criterion is met. Ended television series which change networks for repeat broadcasts are not included in the list.
+ Domestic television series which changed network affiliation in 2015 Programme Date New network Previous network Ref
+ International television programmes which changed channel/network in 2015 Programme Date New network Previous network Country of origin Ref
Free-to-air premieres This is a list of programmes which made their premiere on New Zealand free-to-air television that had previously premiered on New Zealand subscription television. Programs may still air on the original subscription television network.
Programme Date Free-to-air network Subscription network(s) Country of origin Ref
Subscription premieres This is a list of programmes which made their premiere on New Zealand subscription television that had previously premiered on New Zealand free-to-air television. Programmes may still air on the original free-to-air television network. + International television series that premiered on New Zealand free-to-air television in 2015 Programme Date Free-to-air network Subscription network(s) Country of origin Ref
Programmes returning in 2015 + Programme Return date Network Original run Ref
Milestone episodes in 2015 + Domestic television series which have reached a milestone in 2015 Show Network Episode # Episode title Episode air date Source
Programmes ending in 2015 + Programme End date Network Start date RefCampbell Live29 MayTV32005
Deaths
Date Name Age Notability Source Bernard Buck 88 news reporter Chic Littlewood 84 children's show presenter Doug Armstrong 83 sports broadcaster Steve Rickard 85 pro-wrestler, sports presenter
References