# 1997 in New Zealand television

This is a list of New Zealand television events and premieres that occurred in 1997, the 38th year of continuous operation of television in New Zealand.

## Events

* 1 January – Cartoon Network shifted from HBO to Orange running from 6am to 4pm daily. HBO extended its transmission hours and started playing 24 hours a day.
* 29 June – The fourth television channel TV4 launches.
* 11 August – TVNZ launches Breakfast with hosts Mike Hosking and Susan Wood.
* CanWest takes full ownership of TV3.
* American animated comedy series King of the Hill is transmitted on TV3.
* After a decade of appearing on multiple programmes, beloved children's television icon Thingee is retired from New Zealand television.

## Debuts
### Domestic

* March – McDonald's Young Entertainers (TV2) (1997–1999)
* 11 August – Breakfast (TV One) (1997–present)
* 1 October – Duggan (TV One) (1997–1999)
* Treasure Island (TVNZ) (1997–present)

### International

* 15 July – The Story of Bean (TV One)
* Cow and Chicken (TV2)
* Full Circle with Michael Palin (TV One)
* Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV3)
* Strange Universe (TV2)
* Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher (TV2)
* Bump in the Night (TV2)
* Hey Arnold! (TV2)
* Suddenly Susan (TV3)
* King of the Hill (TV3)
* Pandora's Clock (TV3)
* Sabrina the Teenage Witch (TV3)
* Monty the Dog (TV One)

## Subscription television
### Subscription premieres

This is a list of programs which made their premiere on New Zealand subscription television that had previously premiered on New Zealand free-to-air television. Programs may still air on the original free-to-air television network.

#### International

| Program | Subscription network | Free-to-air network | Date |
| The Flintstones | Cartoon Network | TV2 | 1997 |
| Tom and Jerry | Cartoon Network | TV2 | 1997 |
| The All-New Popeye Show | Cartoon Network | TV One, TV2 | 1997 |

## Changes to network affiliation

This is a list of programs which made their premiere on a New Zealand television network that had previously premiered on another New Zealand television network. The networks involved in the switch of allegiances are predominantly both free-to-air networks or both subscription television networks. Programs that have their free-to-air/subscription television premiere, after previously premiering on the opposite platform (free-to air to subscription/subscription to free-to air) are not included. In some cases, programs may still air on the original television network. This occurs predominantly with programs shared between subscription television networks.

### Domestic

| Program | New network(s) | Previous network(s) | Date |
| Squirt | TV2 | TV3 | 1997 |

### International

| Program | New network(s) | Previous network(s) | Date |
| The Bold and the Beautiful | TV One | TV2 | 1997 |
| Neighbours | TV4 | TV One | 1997 |
| Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends | TV3 | TV One | 1997 |

## New channels
### Free for air

* 29 June – TV4

### Cable

* 1 January – Cartoon Network
* Unknown - Sky Sport 2

## Television shows

* What Now (1981–present)
* Letter to Blanchy (1989, 1994–1997)
* Shortland Street (1992–present)
* You and Me (1993–1998)
* Squirt (1996–2006)
* City Life (1996–1998)
* Breakfast (1997–present)
* McDonald's Young Entertainers (1997–1999)

## Ending this year

* Letter to Blanchy (TV One/TV3) (1994–1997)
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