TV3 (Euro Republics)

Three is a Euro Republics commercial television channel. Launched on 26 November 1989 as TV3, it was the Euro Republics's first privately owned television channel, since The Third was publicly owned, but closed due to cuts. The channel currently broadcasts nationally (with regional advertising targeting four markets) for free on all platforms.

Three is a general entertainment channel owned by EuroMedia, with a significant news and current affairs element under the banner of Newshub, carried over from the New Zealand company MediaWorks, which owns 25% of EuroMedia, who owns Three.

About 40% of Three's programming is local, most of which airs at daytime and later at night, with British and American shows taking up most of the evening schedule.

History
TV3 launched in 1989 broadcasting an English simulcast of what was broadcasting on the Scandinavian version. It introduced a seperate schedule in 1995.

Output contracts
EuroMedia acquired a first-run and re-run contract with HD sourced material for 20th Century Fox Television content (which includes films under the brands 20th Century Studios, DreamWorks Animation – 2008 to present) before airing on ETV (for example, The Simpsons premiers on TV3 2-3 years before they air on ETV. In 2018, they outbid ETV for rights to air movies from The Walt Disney Company, including movies by Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Lucasfilm.

Exclusive contracts with CBS News, ITV News and Seven News for international news coverage.

EuroMedia has long held first-option contracts with NBC Universal (which includes films under the brands Focus Features and Universal Pictures) with select HD material from February 2011. As well as until the start of the US 2012 season, a first-option contract with CBS Television Distribution (which included films under the brands Paramount Pictures and non-animated DreamWorks Pictures) with select HD material from the end of 2012. From mid-2013, TV3 secured a first option deal with Sony Pictures Television for new content for TV series and movies that will be scheduled for late 2013 and the 2014 season. This deal signals a move away from the more expensive exclusive Fox deal, which is still under re-negotiation following the broadcaster's change in ownership.

On 20 December, EuroMedia re-signed a deal with Fox.

From 2020 Three will be the new home of Warner Bros. Television entertainment taking over ETV. Rights for programmes by Cartoon Network Studios will continue to be shared between ETV and EuroMedia.