Then countdown the top 100 on the 1st of January 2025 at midday AEDT.
Voting has closed.
Marking World Radio Day with SBS Audio
February 13 marks World Radio Day—an occasion to honour the huge influence of radio in informing, entertaining, and educating audiences, and to acknowledge its pivotal role in fostering connection and community.
SBS itself began in 1975 as two small multilingual radio stations entrusted with sharing information to Australia’s growing migrant population about the then-nascent Medibank universal healthcare system, now known as Medicare.
Today, SBS stands as a testament to the transformative potential of radio, broadcasting in more than 60 languages on multiple audio platforms – analogue and digital. Our mission remains the same: to inspire all Australians to explore, respect and celebrate our diverse world and in doing so, contribute to a cohesive society.
We spoke to SBS Italian Executive Producer, Magica Fossati (main photo) and SBS Amharic Executive Producer Kassahun Negewo (pictured below), who bring almost 50 years of radio experience between them, about how their work is making a difference for Australia’s multicultural communities.
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I wish I could enjoy SBS Chill.
Does anyone else find it weirdly sad to listen to?
I don’t know how to explain it. It has a melancholy to it that is kind of depressing/exhausting. It’s not like “lo-fi beats to study to” on YouTube or similar which is quite contemplative and romantic. It feels tiring in its negativity and it’s mostly all instrumental stuff. I wish I had the music theory knowledge to explain this
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Solua Middleton appointed ABC Head of Indigenous Audio, Dan Bourchier the new General Manager of NITV
Solua Middleton , the Chair of the Bonner Committee , who played a key role in shaping the ABC’s Listen Loudly, Act Strongly anti-racism initiative, has been appointed Head of Indigenous Audio.
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Got a podcast idea? SBS Audio opens annual pitch season
Three-time Australian Podcast Publisher of the Year, SBS, invites the public to submit stories – in any language – to boost its collection of award-winning podcasts which champion Australia’s diverse and original storytelling.
Got a great podcast idea that’s been bubbling away? Whether you’re an aspiring creator or an experienced podcaster, SBS Audio wants to hear from you. Submissions are now open for fresh and original podcast pitches across broad topics – from news and sport, language and culture, to First Nations, food, and beyond.
SBS Director of Audio and Language Content, David Hua, said: “SBS Audio is committed to discovering exciting new and underrepresented voices, giving all Australians the chance to listen, connect, and better understand one another. As the three-time Australian Podcast Publisher of the Year, we’re proud to be a home that fosters belonging and invites everyone to share their stories. We look forward to hearing from podcasters across the country and to supporting the next wave of talented storytellers shaping our nation’s shared story.”
SBS Podcast Commissioning Editor, Joel Supple, said: “Whether you’re a seasoned podcaster or picking up the mic for the first time, the award-winning SBS Audio podcast team is ready to nourish your budding ideas. Shortlisted entries will receive guidance and production support to help develop their podcast from pitch to publication.”
This year, SBS Audio is particularly interested in pitches exploring ideas around the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026™ and Indigenous languages. But all themes and genres – big or small – are welcome.
Last year’s national call-out attracted more than 200 submissions, leading to standout series like Love without Limits, Fallout: Spies on Norfolk Island, and How Humans Talk among others. These now sit alongside SBS’s award-winning slate of original podcasts from previous call-outs, including Grave Matters, Should You Really Eat That?, Bad Taste, The Idiom, and Grand Gestures.
SBS Audio is open for submissions from today until 14 September 2025. Pitches can be made through the online form on the SBS Audio website here.
Listen to all of SBS Audio’s podcasts on the SBS Audio App, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, LiSTNR or wherever you stream podcasts.
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SBS shares Australian National Anthem in over 60 languages to foster belonging and connection
SBS Audio announces a landmark initiative, making ‘Advance Australia Fair’ and the Citizenship Pledge accessible to millions of new Australians to help foster a greater sense of connection, pride, and belonging.
Ever wondered what “girt by sea” means, especially if your first language isn’t English? Ahead of Australian Citizenship Day on 17 September, SBS is presenting the Australian National Anthem and Citizenship Pledge in more than 60 languages, continuing its long-standing commitment to inclusivity and understanding – available here.
The project will be formally launched on Citizenship Day, Wednesday 17 September, at a special citizenship ceremony at Government House, in Canberra, presided over by the Governor-General of Australia, Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC. The ceremony will celebrate our newest Australians and recognise the valued contribution of those with diverse migrant and refugee backgrounds to Australian society.
Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of Australia, said: “Our national anthem holds a distinctive place in Australia’s shared story. Making it available in many of the languages spoken across our nation will help all Australians understand the beauty and symbolism behind the words we hear at our national commemorations, events, school assemblies and more. These are moments that make me proud to be Australian – I commend SBS for this initiative that will share that feeling of pride and shared understanding.”
Jane Palfreyman, SBS Acting Managing Director, said: “Multiculturalism is one of Australia’s greatest strengths and this initiative demonstrates that we can celebrate our differences while affirming the values and identity we share. With the anthem and pledge now available in more than 60 languages, SBS is helping ensure every Australian can engage with these national symbols in ways that reflect and respect our shared diversity.”
David Hua, SBS Director of Language and Audio Content, said: “For 50 years, SBS’s purpose has been to reflect Australia and foster a more cohesive society. The national anthem is something we all hear often, and this project makes it more accessible, building belonging and pride by deepening understanding of its meaning. It is also a reminder that both the anthem and the citizenship pledge can be shared by all who make their home in Australia, no matter where their journey began.”
The initiative features many of the languages most commonly spoken by new migrants and refugee communities in Australia, ensuring broad accessibility. It is available free and online for use by everyone, including schools, community organisations, citizenship ceremonies and commemorative events nationwide. The full suite of resources can be accessed at sbs.com.au/anthem and includes:
- Videos with the anthem sung by Dami Im to music by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, accompanied by subtitled lyrics in both English and the relevant language against a backdrop of Australian natural and urban landscapes
- Audio and text versions of the anthem available in over 60 languages
- Text versions of the citizenship pledge in over 60 languages
SBS’s Learn English and Australia Explained services also carry extensive resources to help new migrants successfully settle in Australia. This includes the “Australian Citizenship” video and podcast series available in 10 languages and the explainer article “How do you prepare for the Australian citizenship test?” available in more than 30 languages.
This initiative follows SBS’s successful delivery of multilingual versions of Acknowledgement of Country, Ode of Remembrance, and Uluru Statement from the Heart over recent years, providing meaningful cultural resources that invite diverse communities to share in widespread national traditions.
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And watch the RWNJ go nuts over this one…
Cast your votes and sail into 2026 with the return of SBS’s the Chillest 100
Voting is now open for Australia’s ultimate chill music countdown – SBS Chill’s the Chillest 100. Returning for its sixth year, listeners are invited to celebrate New Year’s Day 2026 by soaking in the smoothest songs and artists from around the world.
SBS Chill fans and music aficionados across the country are encouraged to vote for their top three favourite chill tracks here by 8 December 2025 to earn the chance to win some seriously cool prizes.From downtempo and chillhop to lofi and electronic beats, the New Year Day’s countdown charts timeless classics and today’s freshest tracks to find the chillest tune of them all.
The last edition of the Chillest 100, which dropped in January 2025, featured an eclectic mix of home-grown talent like Wollongong’s Peter Krohn,Italian-Australian guitarist Joe Matera and ARIA Award winning electronic group RÜFÜS DU SOL, alongside massive global acts like Moby and Portishead.
Earlier this year, listeners crowned French electronic duo Air’s 1998 downtempo classic ‘La femme d’argent’ as the winner of the most recent the Chillest 100, closely followed by ‘Slip Into Something More Comfortable’ by British act Kinobe, with ‘Teardrop’ by Massive Attack rounding out the top three. The full list can be found here.
SBS Chill Music Programmer Rob Miller, said: “The Chillest 100 has become a beloved New Year’s Day tradition that brings together listeners from all corners of Australia. In a world that can feel overwhelming and overstimulating, SBS Chill provides a space for relaxation and discovery, showcasing contemporary music without interruptions. Whether you’re recovering after New Year’s Eve or welcoming 2026 in a calm, reflective way, cast your vote now and help us craft the perfect soundtrack to ease the nation into the year ahead.”
Tune into the Chillest 100 on SBS Chill from noon on New Year’s Day. You can also watch and listen via SBS On Demand’s new dedicated FAST channel, which mixes music with visuals, or listen on DAB+ Radio, the SBS Audio App available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, or Digital TV (channel 306).
For more info on SBS Chill please visit: sbs.com.au/chill.
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At this stage I honestly wonder if SBS Chill has gone down the path of Spotify “chill” playlists and is now playing AI dreck. It is unlistenable most of the time. Total slop with a weird melancholy tone that it is impossible to relax to
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On the contrary, I enjoy it.
Never found it sad to listen to.
Some of the tracks may be reminiscent of better quality on hold music, most are quite good.
The schedule is day parted which shows some attention to detail.
Distribution is great to be available on digital TV as an audio channel and DAB+ which is where I do most of my listening when driving.
SBS Chill sits amongst my top preferences of the three ABC talk stations and commercial option.
Well done to Rob and the team at SBS for maintaining the station so well. It must run on the smell of an oily rag yet always sounds classy and well resourced.
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SBS brings communities together at Bondi Pavilion for Harmony Week multilingual broadcast
SBS will broadcast in 10 languages, including Arabic and Hebrew, from Sydney’s Bondi Pavilion on Saturday 21 March 2026, bringing Australians together in conversation about social cohesion, belonging and respect.
This Saturday, SBS will present a special series of outside radio broadcasts from Bondi Pavilion, featuring nine language programs including English content. The broadcasts will create space for community members to share their perspectives on living together in a diverse Australia, particularly in the wake of the tragic attack targeting Jewish Australians at Bondi Beach on 14 December, which deeply affected communities across the country.
Held on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the multilingual broadcasts will invite local leaders, first responders, residents, visitors and others – including “Bondi Hero” Ahmed Al-Ahmed – to exchange their personal stories and reflect on the importance of fostering understanding and unity.
Content will be shared across radio, online and social to connect audiences around Australia. The broadcasts are open to the public to attend from 8am-5pm. They will be conducted in Arabic, English, Filipino, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.
SBS Acting Managing Director, Jane Palfreyman, said: “As the national public broadcaster for all Australians, SBS is committed to amplifying diverse perspectives and fostering dialogue that strengthens inclusion. Bringing communities from different faith and cultural backgrounds together at Bondi Beach like this is a powerful way to highlight solidarity and collective healing.”
SBS Director of Audience and Language Content, David Hua, said: “Broadcasting from Bondi Beach allows us to connect directly with communities and ensure their voices are heard in their preferred languages, building bridges and sharing hopes for Australia’s future. It reflects the heart of SBS’s purpose – to cherish diversity, promote understanding, and help all Australians feel a sense of belonging.”
Members of the public attending the broadcasts can participate in a range of activities, including video vox pops and giveaways.
Nearby at Bondi Junction, SBS will also be present with reporters, a stall and free photobooth at Waverley Council’s Global Table event – a vibrant cultural celebration bringing the flavours, stories and traditions of the world together with food stalls and 35-metre-long communal table.
SBS live radio broadcast schedule at Bondi Pavilion – Saturday 21 March 2026:
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SBS Mandarin: 8am to 9am
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SBS Italian: 9am to 10am
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SBS Filipino: 10am to 11am
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SBS Arabic: 11am to 12pm
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SBS Russian: 12pm to 1pm
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SBS Spanish: 1pm to 2pm
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SBS Portuguese: 2pm to 3pm*
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SBS Hebrew: 3pm to 4pm* (includes English programming)
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SBS Greek: 4pm to 5pm
*Content will broadcast on Sunday during regular scheduled shows