TVNZ has renewed its long-standing content agreement with Sony Pictures Television, extending the supply of international film and television programming to its streaming service TVNZ+ and broadcast channels TVNZ 1, TVNZ 2 and DUKE.
The renewal comes as the state broadcaster faces a challenging advertising market. For the six months ending December, TVNZ reported net profit after tax of NZ$2.4 million, while total revenue fell 12 percent to NZ$134 million compared with the same period last year. TVNZ attributed the decline largely to ongoing disruption in the advertising market from global technology platforms.
Under the deal, upcoming series for TVNZ platforms include The Miniature Wife from Media Res Studios, the four-part drama Dear England from Left Bank Pictures, The Other Bennet Sister from Bad Wolf and the Stan/BBC co-production Lord of the Flies. The agreement also covers a range of Sony catalogue titles and feature films, including Bad Boys: Ride or Die and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.
TVNZ Chief News and Content Officer Nadia Tolich said the partnership ensures global entertainment remains widely accessible to New Zealand audiences.
“Our long-standing partnership with Sony Pictures Television brings New Zealanders even more of the world-class stories they love,” Tolich said.
TVNZ Chief Executive Jodi O’Donnell described 2026 as a “defining year” as the broadcaster pushes ahead with its digital-first strategy.
“We’re investing now to ensure TVNZ is the place New Zealanders choose first for the news, entertainment and sport they love,” O’Donnell said.
The renewed Sony agreement forms part of that shift, strengthening TVNZ’s pipeline of international programming as it looks to grow audiences across both broadcast and streaming platforms.
