Rush
Rush is a New Zealand television channel focused primarily on adventure, survival, reality and factual entertainment programming.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Rush is a New Zealand television channel established by Discovery New Zealand and launched on 21 March 2022. Its programming is built around adventure, survival, outdoor challenge, maritime reality and other factual-entertainment formats, with examples including Man vs. Wild, Manhunt with Joel Lambert, Deadliest Catch and Treehouse Masters. The channel was conceived as part of a wider restructuring of Discovery's New Zealand television portfolio and was intended to appeal particularly to a younger male audience. Rush entered the market during a broader reshaping of New Zealand free-to-air television. Its launch followed the closure of The Edge TV and Breeze TV, while Choice TV was rebranded. Rush and its sister channel Eden began broadcasting on the former Choice TV Freeview position, channel 14, and were also made available through Sky television services on channel 24. Distribution additionally included the Kordia transmission network and the ThreeNow streaming platform, giving the brand a presence across free-to-air, pay television and digital streaming environments. The channel's identity is based less on scripted drama or general entertainment than on accessible factual programming with strong action, exploration and real-world stakes. Its content mix connects outdoor adventure with reality television and practical-interest formats, creating a schedule oriented toward viewers interested in wilderness, extreme occupations, competition and unusual lifestyles. Rush shares its name and some programming associations with the Australian television channel 9Rush, but the two channels are separate services and the subject of this entry is the New Zealand channel. Discovery New Zealand initially operated Rush as part of the Warner Bros. Discovery channel portfolio. On 22 July 2025, Warner Bros. announced an agreement to sell its New Zealand free-to-air television assets, including Rush, Three, Eden, Bravo and HGTV, together with the ThreeNow streaming operations, to Sky Network Television for NZ$1. The transaction was expected to close on 1 August 2025. Under the announced arrangement, Warner Bros. Discovery was to continue supplying programming to the channels through a multi-year commercial agreement. Accordingly, Sky Network Television became the announced prospective owner and operator of Rush, while Warner Bros. Discovery remained an important content supplier.
History
Rush was created during Discovery New Zealand's planned reorganization of its television services for 2022. In 2021, the company outlined a new channel structure that included the introduction of Rush alongside changes to existing services. The channel was conceived as a destination for adventure and factual entertainment and was intended to broaden Discovery's reach among younger male viewers. The launch took place on 21 March 2022. Rush entered the New Zealand market at a time when several other channels were being closed, repositioned or rebranded. The Edge TV and Breeze TV were closed, while Choice TV was rebranded. Rush and the sister channel Eden subsequently used the former Choice TV Freeview position, channel 14. The service was also carried on Sky television channel 24. Its distribution footprint included the state-owned Kordia transmission network, Sky's pay-TV platform and the ThreeNow streaming service. Rush's editorial identity centers on unscripted programming involving exploration, survival, dangerous environments, unusual occupations and practical construction or lifestyle subjects. The channel's cited programming includes Man vs. Wild, Manhunt with Joel Lambert, Deadliest Catch and Treehouse Masters. This mix distinguishes Rush from general entertainment channels by emphasizing factual formats with adventure and real-world activity at their core. For much of its initial existence, Rush was associated with Discovery New Zealand and the wider Warner Bros. Discovery channel portfolio. On 22 July 2025, Warner Bros. confirmed an agreement to sell its New Zealand free-to-air television assets, including Rush, Three, Eden, Bravo and HGTV, as well as the ThreeNow streaming operations, to Sky Network Television for NZ$1. The proposed transaction was expected to close on 1 August 2025. The announcement also contemplated a multi-year commercial arrangement under which Warner Bros. Discovery would continue providing content to the relevant channels. This arrangement marked a significant ownership transition for Rush, moving the channel toward Sky Network Television while preserving an ongoing programming relationship with Warner Bros. Discovery. Rush shares a name and some programming associations with Australia's 9Rush channel, but it is a distinct New Zealand television service. Its distribution, ownership history and launch context should therefore be understood within the New Zealand broadcasting market rather than the Australian television industry.
- 2025
Planned transfer to Sky Network Television
[1]Warner Bros. announces the proposed sale of Rush and other New Zealand television assets to Sky Network Television for NZ$1, with completion expected on 1 August 2025.
- 2022
Rush launches
[1]Rush begins broadcasting in New Zealand on 21 March, using the former Choice TV Freeview position and becoming available through Sky and other distribution platforms.
- 2021
Discovery announces the Rush concept
[1]Discovery New Zealand includes Rush in plans to restructure its television portfolio for 2022, with the channel intended to attract a younger male audience.
Products and positioning
A New Zealand factual-entertainment channel positioned around adventure, survival, outdoor challenge and reality programming, with an intended emphasis on younger male viewers.
Television channel · 2022
Rush television channel
Rush is a New Zealand television channel devoted primarily to factual and unscripted entertainment. Its schedule emphasizes adventure, survival, outdoor challenge, maritime occupations, reality formats and practical-interest programming. The service was launched across free-to-air and pay-TV distribution and was also made available through streaming-related distribution via ThreeNow.
Brand decisions
2025
Planned sale of Rush to Sky Network TelevisionM&ABackground
Warner Bros. announced the sale of its New Zealand free-to-air television assets and ThreeNow streaming operations as part of a broader ownership change.
Action taken
Warner Bros. agreed to sell Rush and the other identified New Zealand assets to Sky Network Television for NZ$1, subject to completion of the transaction.
Aftermath
The sale was expected to complete on 1 August 2025, while Warner Bros. Discovery was expected to continue supplying programming under a multi-year commercial agreement.
Transaction consideration. NZ$1 (Announced 22 July 2025; completion expected 1 August 2025)
2021
Creation of a younger male-focused factual channelStrategyBackground
Discovery New Zealand was restructuring its channel portfolio and sought to add a service centered on adventure and factual entertainment.
Action taken
The company planned and introduced Rush as a channel aimed at reaching a younger male audience.
Aftermath
Rush launched in March 2022 and became part of the revised Discovery channel lineup alongside Eden.
Recent events
- 2025
Warner Bros. announces sale of New Zealand television assets to Sky[1]
M&A
Warner Bros. announced the planned sale of Rush and several other New Zealand free-to-air channels, together with ThreeNow, to Sky Network Television for NZ$1. Completion was expected on 1 August 2025, with Warner Bros. Discovery continuing to supply content under a multi-year agreement.
- 2022
Rush launches in New Zealand[1]
Product launch
Rush began broadcasting on 21 March 2022 through New Zealand television and transmission platforms, joining Eden as part of Discovery's revised channel lineup.
- 2021
Discovery New Zealand announces Rush as part of a 2022 channel restructuring[1]
Product launch
Discovery New Zealand announced plans to introduce Rush while restructuring several television channels for 2022. The proposed channel was designed to target a younger male audience with adventure and factual programming.
Sources3 sources
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