A new partnership between Sky TV and Television New Zealand is creating concern about the future of free-to-air television.
The companies have announced plans to launch a trimmed down version of Sky.
The digital service will be broadcast from the first half of next year to coincide with the switch-off of analogue signals.
There is no detail so far on what sort of programmes will feature or how much the service will cost.
An independent producer, Phil Wallington, says paying for television is becoming a modern reality but he worries people on low incomes could be left behind.
The managing director of documentary-maker Natural History New Zealand, Michael Stedman, questions whether revenue will be used to support free-to-air programming.
TVNZ says the new service won't affect its free channels and will provide people with more viewing options.
Its head of digital channels and media, Eric Kearley, says until now, viewers have been stuck in one of two camps; watching basic free-to-air channels or paying for a comprehensive Sky package.
"Now they have a third offer, which is watching TV1 and TV2 and indeed all the other free-to-air channels, and subscribing to a smaller number of pay channels for a lower cost," he says.
