Two local television stations will cease broadcasting by the end of this month.
TV CENTRAL and TV Rotoroa will be switched off as of midnight April 30 due to "ongoing challengers in raising sufficient local commercial funding."
Television Media Group CEO Daryl Anderson said in a statement that viewer support for Waikato's and BOP regional community TV channel which began in 2002 has been fantastic, but technology and viewing habits are continually changing for many sectors of the community.
Mr Anderson said Rotorua's community TV channel which began in 2007 has also been fantastic, but has faced the same issue.
"There is no doubt that an important continued need exists for the production and distribution of local content to ensure we build and support our local identity."