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 – {{flagicon|UK}} The Story of Bean (TV One)
{{flagicon|USA}} Cow and Chicken (TV2)
{{flagicon|UK}} Full Circle with Michael Palin (TV One)
{{flagicon|USA}} Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV3)
{{flagicon|USA}} Strange Universe (TV2)
{{flagicon|USA}} Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher (TV2)
{{flagicon|USA}} Bump in the Night (TV2)
{{flagicon|USA}} Hey Arnold! (TV2)
{{flagicon|USA}} Suddenly Susan (TV3)
{{flagicon|USA}} King of the Hill (TV3)
{{flagicon|USA}} Pandora's Clock (TV3)
{{flagicon|USA}} Sabrina the Teenage Witch (TV3)
{{flagicon|UK}} 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==

class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%; font-size:87%;"

style="background:#efefef;"

! style="width:40%;"| Program

! style="width:20%;"| Subscription network

! style="width:20%;"| Free-to-air network

! style="width:20%;"| Date

{{flagicon|USA}} The Flintstones

| Cartoon Network

| TV2

| 1997

{{flagicon|USA}} Tom and Jerry

| Cartoon Network

| TV2

| 1997

{{flagicon|USA}} 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.