Canwest MediaWorks - owner of TV3 and C4 - plans to launch another channel next year and a fourth in 2008, part of the new offerings to arrive thanks to free-to-air digital television.
The company is yet to release programme details, but chief executive Brent Impey said it would be
niche content not competing with TV3.
Additional capacity provided a chance to expand the business, he said.
The free-to-air digital TV service, being developed with Government help alongside a digital satellite service, will be capable of carrying 18 channels when launched next year.
Both CanWest and TVNZ have additional space but are still finalising content and funding arrangements. Viewer choice could also be boosted by new broadcasters entering the market.
State-owned transmission company Broadcast Communications this month announced it had signed its first agreement to reserve digital TV space for an independent broadcaster.
Managing director Geoff Hunt said details were confidential at the request of the broadcaster, a provider outside the FreeView Group of CanWest, Maori TV, TVNZ, Radio NZ and the NZ Racing Board.
Mr Hunt said final negotiations for a similar agreement with a second independent provider were almost finalised.
