If you’ve noticed your satellite TV channels have gone dark recently, you’re not alone. There’s been a change to the satellite that Freeview and Sky use — and it’s affecting motorhome and caravan travellers around New Zealand.

But don’t worry — we’re here to explain what’s going on and how to get your favourite shows back on screen.

So, What’s Changed?

As of late March 2024, the old satellite (Optus D1) has been decommissioned. It’s been replaced by a newer satellite called Optus 10, which now carries Freeview and Sky signals.

While your TV might still be working fine at home, things are a bit different in your motorhome or caravan. That’s because many onboard satellite systems are locked onto the previous satellite’s settings — and now need updating.

How Does This Affect You?

If your satellite dish or TV setup is still programmed for Optus D1, you’ll likely experience:

  • No signal or channels dropping out
  • A blank screen or error message
  • Inconsistent reception, especially in rural or off-grid areas

What Can You Do About It?

The good news? Your gear probably isn’t broken — it just needs a little tweaking.

Here are your options:

  1. Re-align or Re-program Your Satellite Dish

Some systems allow you to manually update the satellite settings. You’ll need to re-point your dish to the new Optus 10 satellite and update the parameters in your receiver box.

Pro tip: If you're not familiar with doing this, it's best left to a professional.

  1. Book a Service with a Specialist

Our service team can help get your TV setup realigned and running again. Whether you're on the road or prepping for your next trip, we’ll make sure everything’s working as it should be.

Future-Proof Your Setup

If your current system is older or proving tricky to update, this might be a good time to upgrade to a newer automatic satellite dish or even consider switching to a streaming-based entertainment option (great if you’ve got decent mobile internet coverage).

We can help you figure out what’s best for your travel style.

Need Help? We're Just a Call Away

If your TV’s not playing nice since the satellite swap, give our team a shout. We’ll walk you through what you need or get your rig booked in for a quick fix.

Because no road trip is complete without your favourite show to wind down with at the end of the day.

📞 Contact our service team or📅 Book your service online – we’ve got your back.