Television New Zealand is to replace its non-commercial channel with a delayed broadcast of TV One.
TVNZ 7 will cease broadcasting on 30 June after the Government rejected funding it any further.
The broadcaster says the switch is part of its strategy of reaching more people on more screens.
Acting chief executive Rodney Parker says viewing numbers for TV One have been affected by longer working hours, shift work and traffic problems, and time-shifting the programming will mean more people can watch.
United Future leader condemns move
United Future leader Peter Dunne says TVNZ is insulting New Zealand viewers by replacing TVNZ-7 with delayed programming from TV1.
Peter Dunne says quality programming is being sacrificed for shortcuts.
"I think it's an insult to people to start saying 'oh yes so what we'll do is keep this channel open and just run the trash we run on TV1 again an hour later.'
Either you have a channel that's producing quality programmes or you don't."
TVNZ has declined to comment on Mr Dunne's remarks.
