Parents Are ‘Pissed Off’ With MediaWorks’ New Channel ‘Bravo New Zealand’ — Find Out Why!

New Zealand parents are not happy with MediaWorks's new channel Bravo New Zealand after the network cancelled its child-friendly morning line-up on Four and replaced it with the new network, reports NZ Herald.

MediaWorks has been branded as "mean" after Channel Four was rebranded over the weekend as Bravo New Zealand, a partnership MediaWorks did with American international network NBCUniversal. The new network features American reality shows such as Dance Moms, Keeping Up With The Kardashians, as well as Bravo US's original programming such as Top Chef, Vanderpump Rules, Million Dollar Listings and The Real Housewives.

But parents have taken to social media to complain about the changes - especially the disappearance of Channel Four's line-up of children's shows in the morning.

Among the shows to disappear are child-friendly fare like Sesame Street, Fireman Sam and Thomas the Tank Engine.

"Two sad and upset girls here, and two pissed off parents," wrote one viewer on Facebook. "Whilst we can't see Sesame Street anymore, [we] certainly know that MediaWorks and TV3 are Muppets."

Another wrote: "Bravo will never play in this house! So upset for my little ones who only get TV in the morning while we all get ready for the day. Not everyone has the data to watch On Demand. Looks like it's back to DVDs for us."

"[We are] angry with this change," said a third. "All my daughter's favourite shows are cancelled and there's pretty much no kids' shows for toddlers anymore, so disappointing," said a third.

A fourth wrote: "Absolutely unbelievable!!! What are the kids going to watch now? Shouldn't have to use On Demand for our kids to watch a wee bit of telly in the morning while having breakfast!"

In a follow-up Facebook post, Bravo said some of Four's children's shows were being replayed - but in different time slots.

"Teddy (Sticky TV) and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will be coming to TV3 weekday afternoons at 3.20pm in a new one-hour line-up. Throughout the year, we'll be rotating other kids' shows in place of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," the network said.

"We'll also be playing Pukana at 6.30am on Saturdays on TV3, and will have Pukana, Sticky TV, and a number of other shows on 3Now - like The Wiggles, The Moe Show and Emma."

And in replies to several commentators, the network said it was "looking to move the children's programming over to TV3".

Photo Credit: Bravo New Zealand