- Events
- Debuts Domestic International
- Changes to network affiliation International
- New channels Cable
- Television shows
- Ending this year
{{unreferenced|date=March 2015}}{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2014}}{{EngvarB|date=December 2014}}This is a list of New Zealand television events and premieres which occurred, or are scheduled to occur, in 1990, the 30th year of continuous operation of television in New Zealand. {{Year nav topic5|1990|New Zealand television}}{{1990 in New Zealand television}}This is a list of New Zealand television-related events in 1990. Events- TV3 was placed in a receivership after 7 months on air.
- SKY TV is launched. Becoming New Zealand's first Pay Television company, the network starts off with only three channels Sky Sport, Sky Movies and CNN.
- The final edition of the New Zealand version of the children's educational series Play School airs on both TV One and Channel 2 but will continue to air in reruns for a few years later.
DebutsDomestic- April – Nightline (TV3) (1990–2013)
- September – New Zealand's Funniest Home Videos (Channel 2) (1990–1995)
- 60 Minutes (TV3) (1990–present)
- 10AM (1990)
- High Life (TV One) (1990–1995)
- All for One (1990)
- The New Adventures of Black Beauty (TV3) (also United Kingdom and Australia) (1990–1992)
- In Focus (TV3) (1990)
- The James Gang Rides Again (TV3) (1990)
International- 30 October – {{flagicon|AUS}} Savage Indictment (TV One)
- {{flagicon|JPN}}/{{flagicon|USA}}/{{flagicon|Netherlands}} Wowser (Channel 2)
- {{flagicon|FRA}} Bouli (Channel 2)
- {{flagicon|USA}} Free Spirit (Channel 2)
- {{flagicon|USA}} Great Circuses of the World (Channel 2)
- {{flagicon|USA}} Major Dad (Channel 2)
- {{flagicon|USA}} Trial by Jury (TV3)
- {{flagicon|USA}} The Young Riders (Channel 2)
- {{flagicon|USA}} Hardball (Channel 2)
- {{flagicon|USA}} Baywatch (Channel 2)
- {{flagicon|USA}} Booker (Channel 2)
- {{flagicon|UK}} One Foot in the Grave (TV One)
- {{flagicon|AUS}} Bangkok Hilton (Channel 2)
- {{flagicon|AUS}} Tanamera – Lion of Singapore (Channel 2)
- {{flagicon|UK}} No Job for a Lady (TV One)
- {{flagicon|USA}} The Great American Sex Scandal (TV3)
- {{flagicon|UK}} May to December (TV One)
- {{flagicon|USA}} Dragnet Today (Channel 2)
Changes to network affiliationThis 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. International| Program | New network(s) | Previous network(s) | Date |
|---|
| UK}} Doctor Snuggles | TV One | Channel 2 | 1990 |
New channelsCableTelevision shows- Play School (1975–1990)
- What Now (1981–present)
- Gloss (1987–1990)
- Blind Date (1989–1991)
- The Early Bird Show (1989–1992)
- Shark in the Park (1989–1992)
- New Zealand's Funniest Home Videos (1990–1995)
- 60 Minutes (1990–present)
Ending this year- Gloss (TVNZ) (1987–1990)
- Play School (TVNZ) (1975–1990)
- 14 Days on Trial (Channel 2) (1989–1990)
- 45 Live (Channel 2) (1989–1990)
{{Years in TV by country|1990}}{{NewZealand-tv-stub}} 1 : 1990 in New Zealand television |