Despite numerous protests urging the Government to keep TVNZ 7 running, the television channel is no more.
TVNZ 7 - the country's only commercial-free public service TV station, which aired news, current affairs and panel discussion shows - was switched off at midnight last night after the Government last year decided not to extend its funding.
From 7am today the channel will become a TV ONE Plus One channel and will be a repeat of TV ONE with a one hour delay.
Following numerous protests leading up the closure, hundreds turned out to a "Funeral March" organised by Save TVNZ 7 yesterday in central Auckland.
People brought candles and a fake coffin was driven up in a hearse.
"TVNZ 7 only costs $16 million to keep but the Government says 'can't afford it'," a statement on the Save TVNZ 7 website said.
"Yet they'll spend $120 million to fund their asset sales programme."
More than 35,000 people had signed a petition in favour of keeping the channel.
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