Broadcast frequencies for the Freeview HD television channel are changing in the seven transmission areas across New Zealand and Dunedin will be the second centre after Kapiti (August 2011) to undergo the change.
The change at the Mt Cargill transmitter is scheduled to take place on January 24.
Freeview general manager Sam Irvine said the Government was reorganising the radio spectrum to ensure it was used more efficiently, including the possible future release of spectrum for new uses.
A week before the change, Dunedin Freeview HD users can expect a pop-up on their TV screens, reminding them to retune their digital receiver on the morning after the change.
Dunedin households will also be reminded of the change via a mass mailout over the next fortnight, he said.
Freeview Satellite users, many of whom were in rural areas, would not be affected by the change.
Work to shut down New Zealand's analogue TV service continues, and Mr Irvine said later this year the West Coast and Hawkes Bay would be the first places in the country to make the switch to digital. The rest of the South Island would follow on April 28, 2013.
More Freeview channels were likely this year, he said.
The aim was to have about 18 channels, plus regional television channels, available.
Dunedin Freeview HD users
• On January 24, the Dunedin broadcast frequencies for Freeview HD will change.
• If you have Freeview HD, you will need to retune your set-top box, television with Freeview HD built in, or your MyFreeviewHD digital television recorder the day after the change.
• This can be done through the on-screen menu using your remote control.
• You can't re-tune your TV in advance of the change. But on the day the changes occur, if you switch on your TV and don't have a signal you will need to re-tune your Freeview|HD set-top box or television.
• If you are watching Sky, TelstraClear or Freeview satellite services, or you are not yet watching digital television, you will not be affected.