Igloo
Product brand
UnclaimedIgloo was a New Zealand prepaid pay-TV service operated by a joint venture between Sky Network Television and TVNZ from 2012 to 2017.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Igloo was a New Zealand prepaid television service created to provide a lower-commitment alternative to conventional subscription television. It was established by Sky Network Television and TVNZ, with Sky holding a 51 percent interest and TVNZ holding 49 percent when the venture was announced in December 2011. The service was aimed at viewers who either did not want to enter a long-term contract or did not require the full channel range available through Sky's principal pay-TV offering. Igloo launched on 3 December 2012, after its originally planned first-half-2012 introduction was delayed. The service used a Pace-supplied set-top box and transmitted selected pay-TV services over digital terrestrial infrastructure. The same receiver also provided access to New Zealand's Freeview channels, including selected high-definition free-to-air broadcasts. Sky used digital-terrestrial spectrum that had previously supported its analogue terrestrial service; regulatory and spectrum-use considerations were part of the background to the platform's creation. Customers could purchase channel packs for 30-day periods rather than committing to a conventional long-term subscription. Igloo also offered pay-per-view sports events through the Front Row service and provided access to television programmes and films through an on-demand function delivered over broadband. The platform's channel selection included general entertainment, factual, music, comedy, documentary, children's and news services, alongside free-to-air channels. Depending on the service period, the line-up included channels associated with Sky, TVNZ, BBC Worldwide, Viacom, Discovery Communications and other providers. Local channels and radio services were also carried in the broader Freeview channel structure. The receiver included a live-pause capability when a USB flash drive was connected. Because the device did not contain an internal hard disk, storage depended on the attached USB drive; an 8 GB drive was described as providing approximately one hour of live pause. The pay-TV component used DVB-T2 transmission with 256-QAM modulation on UHF channel 30 or 31, while Freeview services used separate DVB-T transports. TVNZ later sold its interest back to Sky in 2013 and had fully exited the venture by 2014. In July 2016, Sky announced that Igloo transmissions and its paid features would end in March 2017. From 1 March 2017, customers could no longer buy Igloo channel packs, access Front Row events or use Igloo On Demand. The boxes were updated to continue receiving New Zealand Freeview channels, but the former Igloo service no longer operated and the receivers were not provided with ongoing technical support or the original electronic programme guide. Igloo therefore ended as a prepaid pay-TV brand while leaving some of its hardware in use as a Freeview reception device.
History
Igloo originated as a joint venture between Sky Network Television and TVNZ. The companies announced the venture in December 2011, with Sky owning 51 percent and TVNZ the remaining 49 percent. Its purpose was to create a more flexible form of pay television for New Zealand viewers who might not want the contractual commitment or broad channel bundle associated with Sky's main subscription service. Instead of relying exclusively on a long-term subscription, Igloo was designed around prepaid access to selected channels and events. The service was initially expected to launch during the first half of 2012, but technical and operational delays postponed its introduction. Igloo eventually went live on 3 December 2012. Its delivery model combined digital terrestrial broadcasting with an operator-supplied set-top box. The receiver could provide selected high-definition free-to-air programming through New Zealand's Freeview platform, while also receiving a limited set of pay-TV channels. The pay-TV broadcasts used digital terrestrial capacity controlled by Sky, including spectrum previously used for Sky's analogue terrestrial service. Igloo's commercial proposition was based on short-duration access. Customers could buy channel packs for 30 days, allowing them to use selected paid services without taking the complete Sky package. The platform also supported individual pay-per-view sports purchases through Front Row. Broadband connectivity expanded the receiver's functionality by enabling on-demand access to television programmes and films. This made Igloo a hybrid service: it was simultaneously a terrestrial television platform, a prepaid pay-TV product and a connected-media device. The channel environment included free-to-air services and a range of paid channels. The general-entertainment grouping included selected TVNZ and MediaWorks services, TVNZ's Heartland and Kidzone24, and later Nick Jr. Other services listed for the platform included National Geographic, MTV Hits, Comedy Central, Vibe, BBC UKTV, BBC Knowledge, BBC World News, Food Television, Animal Planet and Front Row. The receiver also exposed the wider Freeview ecosystem, including time-shifted channels, Māori Television, Parliament TV, Trackside, shopping and religious services, regional channels and audio-only radio channels. The hardware offered live pause when a USB flash drive was attached. Since the box did not include an internal hard drive, users supplied removable storage; an 8 GB drive provided roughly 60 minutes of live-pause capacity. Igloo's paid terrestrial transmissions used DVB-T2 and 256-QAM modulation on UHF channel 30 or 31, separate from the DVB-T transports used for Freeview services. The ownership structure changed after launch. TVNZ sold its shares back to Sky in 2013 and had completely left the venture by 2014, leaving Sky as the owner of the service. In July 2016, Sky announced that Igloo would stop transmitting in March 2017. On 1 March 2017, the paid service closed. Customers could no longer purchase channel packs, watch Front Row events or use Igloo On Demand. Igloo receivers were updated so that they could continue to receive Freeview channels, but they no longer carried the original Igloo electronic programme guide and were not supported as active Igloo devices. The brand consequently became defunct as a pay-TV service while some of its equipment remained usable for free-to-air television reception.
- 2017
Pay-TV service closes
[1]Igloo closed on 1 March. Receivers were updated to continue receiving Freeview channels, without the former paid service, technical support or electronic programme guide.
- 2016
Closure announced
[1]Sky announced in July that Igloo transmissions and paid features would end in March 2017.
- 2014
TVNZ fully exits the venture
[1]TVNZ had completely exited Igloo by 2014, leaving Sky as the service's owner.
- 2013
TVNZ sells its interest back to Sky
[1]TVNZ sold its Igloo shares back to Sky, beginning its withdrawal from the venture.
- 2012
Service launches
[1]Igloo launched on 3 December 2012 after its planned first-half launch was delayed.
- 2011
Igloo joint venture announced
[1]Sky Network Television and TVNZ announced Igloo in December 2011. Sky held 51 percent of the venture and TVNZ held 49 percent.
Products and positioning
A flexible, prepaid alternative to full Sky pay-TV subscriptions, combining selected paid channels and event viewing with New Zealand Freeview reception.
Television hardware · 2012
Igloo digital terrestrial set-top box
The Pace-supplied receiver was the central hardware product of the Igloo service. It received selected digital terrestrial pay-TV and Freeview broadcasts, supported broadband-connected features such as on-demand programming, and could pause live television when a USB flash drive was attached. The box had no built-in hard disk, so live-pause capacity depended on removable USB storage. After the pay-TV service ended, receivers were updated to continue receiving Freeview channels.
Prepaid pay-TV · 2012
Igloo Channel Packs
Igloo Channel Packs provided short-term access to selected paid television channels. Packs were designed for 30-day use, positioning them as an alternative to the longer contractual commitments associated with conventional pay-TV subscriptions. The available programming included entertainment, factual, music, comedy, documentary, children's and news channels.
Pay-per-view events · 2012
Front Row
Front Row was Igloo's pay-per-view offering for live sports and other individual events. It allowed viewers to purchase event access separately from the recurring channel-pack model. Front Row purchases ended when Igloo's paid services were closed in March 2017.
Video on demand · 2012
Igloo On Demand
Igloo On Demand used a broadband connection to provide access to selected television programmes and films through the Igloo receiver. It complemented the service's broadcast channel packs and pay-per-view events, but was discontinued when the Igloo platform closed.
Brand decisions
2016
End Igloo's pay-TV transmissionsStrategyBackground
Sky announced that the Igloo platform would no longer support its paid channel, event and on-demand services.
Action taken
Sky scheduled the closure of Igloo transmissions and stopped further sales of channel packs, Front Row events and Igloo On Demand from March 2017.
Aftermath
The receivers were updated for continued Freeview reception, but the Igloo service, electronic programme guide and technical support were withdrawn.
2013
Sky assumes full ownership after TVNZ divestmentM&ABackground
TVNZ chose to sell its interest in the Igloo venture after the service had launched.
Action taken
TVNZ sold its shares back to Sky in 2013 and fully exited the venture by 2014.
Aftermath
Sky became the sole owner of Igloo.
2011
Create a prepaid alternative to full Sky televisionStrategyBackground
Sky and TVNZ sought to serve viewers who did not want a long-term contract or the complete channel range of Sky's standard pay-TV offering.
Action taken
The companies established Igloo as a jointly owned service offering prepaid 30-day channel packs, pay-per-view events and Freeview reception through a dedicated terrestrial set-top box.
Aftermath
The service launched in December 2012, but its paid television operation ended in March 2017.
Recent events
- Unconfirmed
Reported
Dometic acquires Igloo[2]
Dometic announced that it had acquired cooler and drinkware manufacturer Igloo in a $677 million deal. The source does not specify when the acquisition was completed; it says the transaction was expected to close in the fourth quarter and was subject to regulatory approvals.
- Unconfirmed
Igloo debuts Yellow Submarine Playmate cooler collection[3]
Igloo debuted a special-edition collection of seven-quart Playmate coolers themed around The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine, available in three styles.
Sources4 sources
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