SBS Operations

[TV.Cynic]

Statement on Acting Managing Director arrangements at SBS

The SBS Board of Directors has today confirmed it will appoint Jane Palfreyman, SBS Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer, as SBS Acting Managing Director, while it conducts a global search for a new Managing Director.

This arrangement follows the decision of James Taylor to step down from SBS after 13 years of service. He will remain with the organisation until November for a transition period, before taking up the role of Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at oOh!media.

SBS Board Acting Chair, Christine Zeitz, said the interim appointment provides continuity of leadership and ensures an orderly transition until the next Managing Director is appointed.

Jane Palfreyman joined SBS in 2012 and has held senior positions across Sales and Marketing. In her current role, she leads SBS’s commercial strategy, brand and audience engagement, client partnerships and revenue growth. She brings more than two decades of experience in media and commercial leadership.

Her appointment as Acting Managing Director will take effect from 28 August 2025. The SBS Board has commenced an independent recruitment process to select the organisation’s next Managing Director.

[TV.Cynic]

Australian Red Cross and SBS launch training to help workplaces in the fight against Modern Slavery

Australian Red Cross and SBS have joined forces to launch a new online training program giving Australian workplaces the knowledge and tools to spot, prevent and respond to Modern Slavery. Inspired by survivors and guided by sector experts, the course delivers practical strategies and resources to drive real change.

Modern Slavery is a hidden crime affecting 50 million people globally – and an estimated 41,000 in Australia. With awareness still limited, this training marks a critical step forward.

Head of SBS Inclusion Program Leon Coningham said this partnership combines the deep expertise Australian Red Cross has in supporting survivors and shaping policy, with SBS’s proven reach in creating and distributing impactful learning programs.

“Together an accessible, best-in-class course has been designed to give every workplace practical tools to help prevent Modern Slavery in their own operations and supply chains,” said Mr Coningham.

Australian Red Cross Senior Manager Modern Slavery Prevention and Response Natalie Maxwell-Davis said the program draws on lived experience to drive change.

“This program creates a meaningful way for people to engage with and be informed by lived experience. By partnering with SBS we have been able to develop training that will build collective awareness and catalyse action,” said Ms Maxwell-Davis.

Australian Red Cross CEO Andrew Colvin said Australian Red Cross sees the impacts of Modern Slavery firsthand.

“Survivors who enter the Support for Trafficked People Program have faced the worst forms of exploitation, often hidden in plain sight. Survivors often only get one chance to seek help – it is important that people know how to recognise the signs and respond safely,” said Mr Colvin.

SBS Acting Managing Director Jane Palfreyman said Modern Slavery deprives victims of their dignity, fundamental rights and freedoms, and has no place in a modern, cohesive society.

“SBS is strongly committed to amplifying the voices of those unheard and at risk. We look forward to working with Australian Red Cross to harness the power of organisations to recognise and prevent all forms of Modern Slavery in Australia,” said Ms Palfreyman.

Featuring real stories, expert interviews and practical actions, the training is supported by a range of resources designed to help create change. Topics covered include:

• What is Modern Slavery
• The language of Modern Slavery
• Recognising and responding to Modern Slavery; and
• What organisations can do to address Modern Slavery

The training empowers every workplace to play its part in eradicating Modern Slavery. Find out more at www.redcross.org.au/modernslaverytraining/.

About the SBS Inclusion Program

SBS holds a unique place in the Australian media, inspiring all Australians to explore, respect and celebrate our diverse world and in doing so, contributes to an inclusive and cohesive society with content in over 60 languages. The SBS Inclusion Program is Australia’s leading online DE&I program providing courses and resources covering a range of topics including Inclusion, Disability, First Nations, Cultural Diversity, Gender Equity, Generational Diversity, LGBTIQ+, Appropriate Workplace Behaviour, Neurodiversity, Inclusive Recruitment. The Inclusion Program is currently licensed to more than 650 organisations and over 1.2 million employees.

About Australian Red Cross and Support for Trafficked People Program

The Support for Trafficked People Program is a national support program funded by the Australian Government and delivered by the Australian Red Cross. The program assists people who have experienced modern slavery (including forced marriage if other types of exploitation are also present) in meeting their safety, security, health and wellbeing needs. Through intensive casework, and referrals to specialist services, support may include accommodation, medical assistance, counselling, education and training and social support.

If you or someone you know is experiencing exploitation, help is available. You can report to the Australian Federal Police on 131 AFP (131 237) or www.afp.gov.au; or seek confidential advice and support from the Additional Referral Pathway on 1800 000 277 or www.salvationarmy.org.au.

[JohnsonTV]

SBS celebrates the Festivals of Lights with bold, illuminating stories across the network

left to right: Ashan Khan (Secrets from the Curry Kitchen), Jus Reign (Late Bloomer), Tannishtha Chatterjee (UNindian), Akshay Ajit Singh (Four Years Later)

From drama and documentaries to food, music and podcasts, SBS is the destination for all Australians to celebrate and connect through Diwali, Deepavali, Bandi Chhor Diwas and Tihar.

In celebration of the Festivals of Lights, SBS is lighting up screens and homes with a vibrant line-up of premium multilingual content that reflects the rich traditions of Diwali, Deepavali, Bandi Chhor Diwas and Tihar, and welcomesall communities from across the nation to connect and celebrate together.

From now until November, audiences can enjoy a kaleidoscopic line-up spanning world-class series, movies, documentaries, cultural explainers, podcasts, festive food shows, music videos, engaging student resources, community events and more. With the Festivals of Lights celebrated by over a billion people globally, including more than one million Australians of South Asian heritage, now is the perfect time to spotlight vibrant stories and perspectives from these diverse communities.

Performers from the Australian Nepali Multicultural Centre celebrating Dashain, Tihar and Chhath. Photo credit: Abhas Parajuli.

SBS Acting Managing Director, Jane Palfreyman, said, “SBS is proud to celebrate the Festivals of Lights with all Australians. Whether you mark Diwali, Deepavali, Bandi Chhor Diwas or Tihar – or you’re simply curious – our coverage invites everyone to share, learn and celebrate together. By showcasing stories in English and other languages, we’re helping build understanding, belonging and social cohesion right across the country.”

SBS Audio’s Bangla, Gujarati, Hindi, Malayalam, Nepali, Punjabi, Sinhala, Spice, Tamil and Telugu programs have a wealth of new content and explainers on the way. Highlights include:

• SBS Gujarati: Video and audio features with interfaith couples reflecting on what Diwali means to them and how they celebrate in unique ways, plus a video story showcasing the traditional Gujarati celebration of Annakut – which translates to mountains of food.
• SBS Hindi: A video exploring what Diwali signifies across cultures and a collaboration with celebrity chef Helly Raichura on fusion sweets made using native Australian ingredients.
• SBS Punjabi: An audio and video interview with Laura Jane Singh, a First Nations healing practitioner who married into a Punjabi family. This intersectional story explores how Laura and her Punjabi husband Inderjit Singh blend their unique cultural rituals in celebration of Diwali.
• SBS South Asian: Audiences can also enjoy curated music programming in six languages to get into the festive spirit. Tune in from 18-20 October for music specials from SBS Gujarati, SBS Hindi, SBS Nepali, SBS Punjabi, SBS Sinhala and SBS Telugu. Plus, in a first, SBS South Asian headed to Cairns for a full day of live broadcasts and content creation, featuring dozens of interviews with local community members, leaders and parliamentarians in ten languages. You can listen now in Hindi, Nepali and Punjabi, or check out SBS Gujarati, SBS Malayalam, SBS Sinhala and SBS Tamil’spodcast coverage, with more videos and podcasts to be released by all language teams this week.
• SBS Spice: The English-language digital channel for Gens Y and Z South Asian Australians, is bringing the festivities to the studio with Party in the Pod, a limited vodcast series where conversations flow over food. Across three episodes, South Asian influencers, creators, artists and community figures come together to share stories and celebrate under the twinkling studio lights.

SBS On Demand is ringing in the Festivals of Lights with the Celebrating Diwali | Deepavali collection, featuring seven curated shelves that capture the essence of this cross-cultural occasion. Highlights include critically acclaimed SBS Original romantic drama series Four Years Later, vibrant animation The Glassworker, Jasmeet Raina’s unmissable comedy series Late Bloomer, compelling documentaries like World’s Largest Cricket Stadium, and a dedicated Hindi Music Videos shelf that is guaranteed to get the party started. Audiences can also explore the platform’s broader South Asian collection which spotlights the best of South Asian films, TV, shows, and news.

Further programming highlights across SBS channels, include:

• SBS main channel is bringing back beloved favourites, including Luke Nguyen’s India (from Thursday 17 October, 11.05am); Bollywed (from Monday 20 October, 3.00pm); and Treasures of India with Bettany Hughes (from Monday 20 October, 4.10pm).
• SBS VICELAND will entertain with The Matchmakers (from Monday 20 October, 5.45pm); and Brand Bollywood Downunder (Tuesday 21 October, 11.20pm).
• SBS Food is serving up a flavourful line-up, including two series premieres. Catch Maneet’s Eats and Secrets of the Curry Kitchen weeknights from October 15 at 6.00pm and 6.30pm.
• SBS World Movies is hosting a movie marathon on Monday 20 October with four channel premieres: award-winning family drama Gulmohar (5.00pm), cross-cultural rom-com UNindian starring Brett Lee and Tannishtha Chatterjee (7.30pm), sports drama Ghoomer (9.30pm) and dramedy Maja Ma (12.00am).

All titles will also be available to stream free on SBS On Demand.

SBS’s education arm, SBS Learn, is supporting classrooms across Australia with ready-to-use resources for Diwali/Deepavali, designed for both primary and secondary students. The materials explore how, why and when the Festivals of Lights are celebrated, and include hands-on activities such as creating a rangoli or kolam, making a traditional diya – an oil lamp used during Diwali, and a recipe for preparing a simple barfi sweet. A multilingual video, subtitled in Gujarati, Hindi, Malayalam, Nepali, Punjabi and Tamil, further supports learning and reflects the diversity of Diwali celebrations across South Asian communities.

Around Australia, SBS has partnered with a variety of community celebrations organised by local councils and associations, bringing festivities to NSW, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic and WA. Check SBS’s Festival Guide for details of this year’s events.

For more information, visit sbs.com.au/Diwali

[TV.Cynic]

SBS Learn’s Dharug Ngurra resource empowers classrooms to meaningfully celebrate NSW Aboriginal Languages Week

SBS Learn is encouraging teachers to celebrate this year’s NSW Aboriginal Languages Week by exploring Dharug Ngurra. This ready-to-download classroom resource was developed in collaboration with Aboriginal-owned education organisation Wingaru to help meaningfully embed knowledge about First Nations cultures in schools and support the preservation and revitalisation of Aboriginal languages.

Created for primary school classrooms, the resource introduces educators and students to the rich history, language and cultural traditions of the Dharug people, the Traditional Custodians of the area known today as Greater Sydney. Dharug is one of many Aboriginal languages spoken on the East Coast of NSW, and through this resource, students can learn about Dharug dhalang (language) sounds and words while deepening their understanding of how language plays a crucial role in preserving cultural identity. ‘Ngurra’ means Country or place in Dharug.

Produced in consultation with Dharug language speakers, Dharug Ngurra is designed to support teachers to integrate Aboriginal language and culture into everyday learning. The beautifully illustrated resource aligns with both the NSW and Australian curriculums and includes teacher notes, a pronunciation guide, worksheets and tasks connecting students to Country, culture and language, and guidance and tools for Acknowledging Country.

SBS Director, First Nations, Tanya Denning-Orman, said: “At SBS, we recognise that language is at the heart of culture and identity. Our partnership with Wingaru to create Dharug Ngurra empowers teachers to bring First Nations language and culture into the classroom. NSW Aboriginal Languages Week is a wonderful time to celebrate and explore Dharug language, but this learning can continue all year round. We thank the Dharug language speakers and all who contributed to this latest SBS Learn resource, and hope it contributes to vital work happening in communities around the country to revitalise First Nations languages, while deepening cultural understanding for students across Australia.”

Wingaru CEO and founder, Lesley Woodhouse, said: “Language is more than words – it holds stories, connection and lore. Across Australia, First Nations language speakers are leading projects to keep languages strong. Dharug language is central to the culture of the 29 Dharug-speaking clans across Sydney, and Dharug community are working hard to revitalise our dhalang (language) through the efforts of Elders, speakers and projects like the Bayala Language Project. When teachers include Dharug language in their practice, they help strengthen it. I encourage more educators to connect with the local language of their area and learn the appropriate protocols to include it in everyday education.”

NSW Aboriginal Languages Week celebrates the strength, resilience and diversity of Aboriginal languages and the communities working to preserve, teach and revitalise them. This year’s theme ‘Let Our Voices Fly’ highlights the importance of keeping languages alive through education, community and culture, and SBS Learn’s Dharug Ngurra resource provides an opportunity to bring this theme to life.

Dharag Ngurra is the latest First Nations language classroom resource published by SBS Learn, following Learn Wiradjuri: Volume 1 Ngumbaayand Learn Wiradjuri: Volume 2 Bula, based on a published Wiradjuri Workbook written by Professor Lynette Riley and Diane Riley-McNaboe.

SBS Learn also encourages teachers to explore SBS’s award-winning interactive animation My Grandmother’s Lingo and the accompanying resource, which offers an opportunity to learn about the importance of preserving language and discover the endangered Aboriginal language of Marra, from the Arnhem Land region.

To explore Dharug Ngurra, and other SBS Learn resources, visit SBS Learn.

[Expensive_Horse5538]

The Australian is reporting that Paramount ANZ chief Beverley McGarvey is on the shortlist to replace James Taylor as Managing Director. Apparently despite SBS saying they are conducting a “global search”, apparently the search hasn’t extended beyond 10’s Pyrmont studios.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/media-diary-boxing-promoters-bikie-shootings-sixfigure-loans-nine-radio-shock-jock-mark-levys-real-naked-story/news-story/f00e482cbfeeb30ba7aeea9631a1c56c

[NuStraya]

SBS News+ for 2026 then?

[TV.Cynic]

New research shows sense of belonging is growing stronger among multilingual Australians

A new report released today by SBS and the University of Canberra highlights an overall increase in multilingual audiences’ sense of belonging compared to the first wave of research published in 2023, and also demonstrates the powerful role of inclusive media.

Across four measures of belonging, the most significant increases were in the proportion of multilingual audiences that say their needs are being met (69%, +8pp) and that members care about each other (64%, +7pp) in their local communities.[1] Additionally, those who feel their culture and language are represented fairly in news feel a stronger sense of belonging (63%) than those who don’t feel fairly represented (32%).

The Sense of Belonging and Media Representation among Multilingual Audiences in Australia study surveyed 1,876 respondents across seven languages – Arabic, Cantonese, Italian, Mandarin, Punjabi, Vietnamese and English. The research was co-led by Rebecca Griffiths, SBS’s Audience Research Lead, and Professor Sora Park, University of Canberra’s Director of News & Media Research Centre.

Together with news and media representation, other contributing factors to belonging were found to be residential status, length of time in Australia, and English language confidence. Punjabi speakers, included for the first time in this research, reported the highest sense of belonging across all the cohorts surveyed, while Mandarin speakers feel the least connected.

The study also found that media representation plays a key role in communities’ confidence to participate in society, which can lead to a greater sense of belonging. Overall multicultural audiences feel less fairly represented by Australian media compared to the general population, particularly among Arabic, Cantonese and Mandarin speakers. Multilingual audiences, however, feel more fairly represented by SBS News (56%) versus general Australian news (46%), with variances across the different language communities studied.

Director of News & Media Research Centre, Professor Sora Park, said: “Cultural representation in the broader Australian media is a key factor in fostering a sense of belonging within society. Multilingual audiences also expressed a strong desire for more media content in their language, and we found that each community holds nuanced preferences regarding how their culture and language are portrayed.’’

SBS Acting Managing Director, Jane Palfreyman, said: ‘’SBS has been contributing to a sense of belonging for all Australians for 50 years by driving an inclusive and multicultural media landscape. This second wave of research shows positive outcomes, demonstrating progress while recognising there is more to be done. By platforming diverse voices and perspectives, we can continue to build connection and a more socially cohesive Australia.”

The full report can be accessed here: Sense of Belonging and Media Representation among Multilingual Audiences in Australia.

[JohnsonTV]

SBS, NITV and Screen Australia announce2025 Digital Originals Shortlist

SBS, NITV and Screen Australia are excited to unveil the 10 projects shortlisted for the first round of the 2025 Digital Originals initiative. Now in its sixth year, this award-winning program champions bold, innovative scripted storytelling from the next wave of Australian screen talent. Select series will be commissioned and premiere on SBS On Demand and NITV.

A flagship partnership between SBS, NITV and Screen Australia, Digital Originals is central to SBS’s commitment to developing and commissioning bold and risk-taking scripted series from diverse voices both on screen and behind the camera. The initiative supports rising talent from underrepresented communities in the sector, including those who identify as culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), First Nations, people with disability, female and gender diverse, LGBTQ+, and those based in regional and remote areas.

The 10 shortlisted teams are currently participating in an immersive development workshop in Sydney hosted by SBS, NITV and Screen Australia. The workshop features sessions with industry mentors including Alistair Baldwin (Latecomers; Erotic Stories), Hannah Ngo (Latecomers; Bird Drone), Jub Clerc (Warm Props; Sweet As), Julie Kalceff (First Day; Starting from… Now), Mithila Gupta (Four Years Later; Winners & Losers), Nicole Coventry (Sherbert Rozencrantz, You’re Beautiful; Eaglehawk) and Taofia Pelesasa (Moni; Parramatta).

The workshop gives teams the opportunity to enhance their narrative-writing skillset and develop their projects in line with the SBS Charter and SBS Commissioning Inclusion Guidelines. It will culminate in teams pitching to SBS, NITV and Screen Australia, with up to five projects selected for further development funding. From these, up to three scripted series will advance to receive production funding and premiere on SBS On Demand, SBS VICELAND and NITV.

This year’s initiative received more than 200 applications from across the nation. The strong response is a testament to the enduring relevance and impact of Digital Originals in shaping the future of the Australian screen industry.

SBS Head of Scripted, Nakul Legha, said: “Digital Originals continues to be one of the most impactful pathways in the world for visionary new voices to break through and tell bold, original scripted stories. It is a cornerstone of SBS’s commitment to developing the next generation of screen creatives. Selected from more than 200 applications, we can’t wait to collaborate with this talented cohort and help bring their stories to life.”

NITV Head of Indigenous Commissioning and Production, Dena Curtis, said: “Digital Originals is a powerful pathway for First Nations creatives to grow, develop and break into the industry. We’re thrilled to see such a broad spectrum of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander projects shortlisted this year, reflecting the strength of new talent coming through. We can’t wait for these bold new voices to continue evolving and share their stories with NITV audiences.”

Screen Australia Director of Narrative Content, Louise Gough, said: “Digital Originals is an important talent escalation initiative and partnership with SBS and NITV that has created tangible pathways for early career creatives from a range of backgrounds to tell bold and distinctive stories for Australian audiences. We’re excited to support 10 new teams as they develop their projects, learn from industry experts and Digital Originals alumni and build their industry connections at this year’s workshops. I can’t wait to see what this year’s cohort create.”

Digital Originals continues to build on its legacy as a launchpad for underrepresented creatives to break into the industry and garner local and international recognition. Recent Digital Originals successes include the Series Mania selected series Moonbird (2025); Appetite (2023) which premiered at the Canneseries TV Festival and was also nominated for a Rose d’Or; Night Bloomers (2023) which won the 2024 Australian Writers’ Guild (AWG) Award for Best Web Series; Latecomers (2022) which also premiered at Canneseries and went on to win the 2024 Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards for Best Online Drama or Comedy and the 2023 Casting Guild Australia Awards for Achievement in Casting; and the AACTA award winning series A Beginner’s Guide to Grief (2022).

Alumni of Digital Originals have gone on to secure key creative roles across SBS Original drama series and elsewhere in the industry including: Mohini Herse (Appetite) who went on to be set-up director for SBS Original Four Years Later, Latecomers producer Liam Heyen and director Madeleine Gottlieb reprised their roles for anthology series Erotic Stories, The Tailings director Stevie Cruz-Martin who later directed award-winning series Safe Home, Homecoming Queens’ Corrie Chen and Michelle Law who have both gone on to create critically acclaimed projects, and filmmaker Dylan River who directed Robbie Hood.

The selected Digital Originals projects and the teams for the workshop are:

Bump Into You: When hard of hearing James bumps into Deaf sign-language user Frankie, it sparks an unexpected romance that challenges them both to confront their identities, family expectations, and what it means to belong.

Team: Nathan Borg, Sam Martin.

Durries: Jason and Vinay are two bumbling wannabe foot soldiers in the Tobacco Wars who are on the run after burning down the wrong building.

Team: Kevin Han, Michaela Le, Rohan Ganju.

Good Boy: A lonely motel receptionist falls in love with a man in prison. When she copycats a crime to prove his innocence, her fantasy life tips into a criminal reality.

Team: Rebecca Metcalf, Anu Hasbold.

Jellybean: As opening night nears, a Torres Strait Islander choreographer hides a pregnancy and faces the hardest decision of her life – to become a mother, or choose herself.

Team: Brooke Collard, Aaliyah-Jade Bradbury.

Loops: Two mismatched brothers must put aside their tangled differences to save their crumbling family rug store. But when a corpse is discovered wrapped in their Signature Rug, their last shot at redemption twists into a knot they may never untangle.

Team: Kauthar Abdulalim, Oz Malik, Noor Hoblos.

Musket: When Levi dumps a stolen colonial-era musket into Jack’s ute, two Koori best mates are forced into a tense overnight mission to return it – navigating rowdy classmates, buried memories and the silent weight of a boys’ school in a town that’s never truly seen them as equals.

Team: Jack Steele, Bronte Gosper.

Rogue One: Community policing meets chaos in the Top End where justice is murky, youth are smarter than the cops and the local BBQ holds more intel than HQ.

Team: Mema Munro, Cian McCue, Rebecca Parker.

SCAMMERS: After retiree Denise Reynolds loses her life savings to a scam caller, she reluctantly teams up with her young aged-care worker Anika Luthra to scam the scammers back. But as Anika and Denise get closer to each other and the truth, they uncover a greater scam much closer to home.

Team: Mehhma Malhi, Xavier Hazard, Paige Wharehinga.

The Salt Line (Working title): When a Torres Strait Islander detective returns home to investigate bones rising from the tidal mudflats, she’s pulled into a case where the island is being swallowed by the sea, old stories are waking and the truth may slip beneath the tide.

Team: John Harvey, Walter Waia, Mariana Babia.

Womb for Improvement: Kaz just wanted to chill – until her baby-crazy girlfriend, a coma-bound Nan and a sassy Aboriginal AI dragged her into the wild ride of queer parenthood. Matriarchy meets motherboard in this offbeat comedy about making a family, Blakfella-style.

Team: Tahlee Fereday, Damienne Pradier.

Digital Originals is part of SBS’s broader commitment to improving inclusion in the screen industry. Read more about this work here.

[TV.Cynic]

SBS calls for bold, thought-provoking factual ideas: up to $50,000 in development funding available

At SBS, We Go There – and now we’re calling on Australian factual producers to join us. We’re on the hunt for bold, thought-provoking and innovative new factual series ideas that push creative boundaries and spark national conversations. Successful applicants will receive up to $50,000 in development funding to help bring their vision to life.

Emerging from recent callouts for new documentaries, powerful series The People vs Robodebt explored political scandal through an innovative blend of documentary and scripted drama, while The Hospital: In The Deep End took three well-known Australians onto the frontline of the public health system, providing an unfiltered look at the challenges the health system faces.

Now, we’re searching for the next landmark SBS series – one that embodies our Charter and tackles a hot button issue impacting Australia today. We’re after ideas that challenge beliefs, provoke national conversations and trigger transformation. The kind of series that makes people think, feel and act.

Whether your idea features a daring stunt or experiment, employs inventive storytelling, or secures exclusive access to high-profile talent, it must bring a fresh, distinctive lens on the issues that matter most to Australia.

The SBS Factual Commissioning team will provide up to $50,000 in development funding for standout ideas with the potential to become must-see TV for a broad audience – particularly 35-55 year olds. Proposals are encouraged to include initial ideas for complementary digital content to deepen audience engagement and reach.

Head of SBS Unscripted, Joseph Maxwell, said: “At SBS we are always looking for bold new ideas that push boundaries. We want to work with the production community to deliver distinctive Australian content that matters. Our initiatives consistently deliver landmark shows – most recently, The People vs Robodebt. We are encouraging risk taking and innovation with SBS’s audience and Charter always front of mind.“

Submission details:

• SBS is seeking original factual format ideas ranging from three to eight episodes of up to one hour each in duration.
• Project proposals should be no more than four pages, and submissions must include a title, a logline and a single paragraph synopsis. Please include a short paragraph on how you hope to spend the development funds and a list of deliverables if successful.
• Submissions must be emailed to the SBS Factual pitching portal factual@sbs.com.au, with the subject line ‘New Factual Format Call out’. Please note all submissions will receive an acknowledgement email, but only successful applications will receive a feedback email due to volume.
• All applications must be eligible for state and/or federal documentary funding programs.
• Entries are now open and will close Friday 9 February 2026.

[JohnsonTV]

Time for transparency around SBS audience numbers

SBS, Australia’s multicultural broadcaster, received $350m of public funding in the last financial year. With that money, it created and distributed a vast amount of content to diverse groups.

Yet it is evasive in its annual report on key questions such as how many people watch SBS On Demand in a given period, and whether or not its overall reach of the Australian population is shrinking in the same way as the ABC.

This lack of transparency is unacceptable and must be corrected.

SBS published its annual report at the end of October with no fanfare. It did not send a press release and there has been very little reporting on anything in it. The report reads as promotional and lacks key data needed to form a view of performance. There are numbers that SBS must have – for example, SBS On Demand average weekly users – that do not appear.

[JohnsonTV]

Peter Andrews, Head of Network Programming departing SBS. | TV Tonight

[TV.Cynic]

SBS launches Future Frames initiative to support emerging First Nations video editing talent

SBS has launched Future Frames, an initiative supporting career pathways for emerging First Nations film and video editors, through a bespoke program of hands-on experience, mentorship and professional development.

Future Frames will support a selected applicant with the opportunity to build their craft and take the next step in their career through an intensive three-week development program at SBS in Sydney on Cammeraygal Country. They’ll be provided with practical training and mentorship from SBS and NITV editors, along with access to professional equipment and software with the support of Adobe. The Australian Screen Editors Guild is also supporting the initiative, including by providing a year’s membership.

Developed through SBS’s Technology Division, Future Frames is part of SBS’s commitment to supporting pathways for under-represented talent in media and contributing to the growth of First Nations expertise in diverse areas within the TV and video post-production sector.

SBS Director, First Nations, Tanya Denning-Orman, said: “Future Frames is an exciting national call-out for emerging First Nations video editors, supporting talent development, building industry capacity and strengthening representation across the sector. It reflects our ongoing commitment to elevating First Nations voices – through the stories we share and the people who shape them.”

SBS Chief Technology Officer, Darren Farnham, added: “Future Frames is all about creating practical pathways into editing and post-production, with hands-on training, access to industry technology and mentoring designed to build capability and provide valuable real-world experience. We’re looking forward to seeing entries from passionate storytellers across the country, and working closely with the successful applicant next year.”

Acclaimed Australian actor and producer, Aaron Pedersen, also lent his support to the initiative: “Future Frames is a great opportunity for First Nations filmmakers to develop a promising career in the industry. With an initiative like this, we further build a stronger foundation for a better film industry by giving future Indigenous storytellers a chance to positively contribute to the development and representation of Indigenous stories from an Indigenous perspective. They can continue to tell their stories like they did for many thousands of years.’’

Future Frames is open to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants from anywhere in Australia, with travel and accommodation in Sydney covered for the selected participant. Applicants can submit a 250-500-word written submission or a 2–3-minute video to enter, and will be assessed by a panel including SBS and NITV representatives and a leading First Nations industry figure, based on creativity, potential and passion for storytelling.

This initiative supports the commitments in SBS’s Elevate Reconciliation Action Plan (2022-2026) to contribute to the growth and development of First Nations talent, and the strength of the Indigenous production sector and content pipeline.

[TV.Cynic]

Nominations open for the fifth Australia for UNHCR – SBS Les Murray Award for Refugee Recognition

Nominations are now open for the fifth Australia for UNHCR – SBS Les Murray Award for Refugee Recognition.

Named in honour of the celebrated SBS sports broadcaster Les Murray AM, who arrived in Australia in 1956 as a young refugee from Hungary, the award recognises extraordinary people from refugee backgrounds who are making a meaningful difference in their communities.

Australia for UNHCR’s CEO Trudi Mitchell said the award continues to shine a light on the remarkable contributions of refugees in Australia – and encouraged the public to nominate outstanding candidates.

“This award celebrates the talent, creativity and community spirit of individuals from refugee backgrounds, many of whom have overcome significant adversity and now make incredible contributions to their communities and to broader Australian society,” Ms Mitchell said.

“Each year, the calibre of nominees is exceptional. I encourage anyone who knows a deserving individual to submit a nomination – this is a unique opportunity to recognise their impact and inspire others.”

SBS Acting Managing Director Jane Palfreyman said the award honours Les Murray’s enduring legacy and SBS’s commitment to championing the contributions of all Australians.

“Now in its fifth year, the Australia for UNHCR – SBS Les Murray Award for Refugee Recognition celebrates those who have built their lives here, and who play such an important role in strengthening communities, and whose leadership makes a positive difference,” Ms Palfreyman said.

“Les arrived in Australia as a young refugee from Hungary and used his love of football to create connection and belonging. In a FIFA World Cup year, the award carries special significance, reflecting Les’s passion for the game and celebrating how people from refugee backgrounds continue to enrich society and help shape a more inclusive Australia.”

In 2025, the award was presented to acclaimed Brisbane-based Sudanese slam poet Huda the Goddess for her outstanding artistic contribution and role in elevating the voices of displaced communities across Australia.

Previous recipients include Hedayat Osyan in 2024, founder of a leading social enterprise employing refugees in the construction industry, Anyier Yuol in 2023 for her work in sport, women’s empowerment and refugee advocacy, and Melbourne lawyer Danijel Malbasa, the inaugural winner in 2022.

Supported by SBS, this year’s winner will receive $10,000, in recognition of their work to promote positive awareness and understanding of refugees.

Nominations should be emailed to LMA@unrefugees.org.au and include a short biography of the nominee, examples of work and community engagement, and two written references.

Nominations close on 28 February 2026. For further information on selection and eligibility criteria visit www.unrefugees.org.au/lesmurray

About the Australia for UNHCR – SBS Les Murray Award for Refugee Recognition

The Australia for UNHCR – SBS Les Murray Award for Refugee Recognition aims to celebrate an individual with lived experience as a refugee who has generated positive awareness about refugees, helped create a positive understanding of the situation of refugees, and, in doing so, contributed to building a more diverse and inclusive Australian community. The award is named in honour of the late Les Murray AM, the beloved SBS sports broadcaster. It was first presented in 2022.

[JohnsonTV]

Leaked email shows SBS managing director asking own staff to suggest...

[JBar]

Well, they’ve saved money by not updating their logo in yonks.

[TV.Cynic]

NAIDOC launches 2026 theme “50 Years of Deadly”, marks major milestone

The National NAIDOC Committee has today unveiled its 2026 national theme, 50 Years of Deadly, marking five decades of NAIDOC Week, a week dedicated to amplifying and celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures.

For fifty years, NAIDOC themes have spoken to survival, resistance, culture and pride. They have honoured Elders and leaders, celebrated creativity, and challenged the nation to listen, reckon and act. Each theme has marked a moment in time, capturing where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were, and where the country needs to pay attention.

50 Years of Deadly is both a reflection and a declaration. It acknowledges the strength it has taken to reach this milestone, not by chance, but because generations of people refused to be silenced. It recognises the organisers, artists, activists and communities who carried NAIDOC forward year after year, ensuring it remained grounded in culture and community.

NAIDOC has always been more than a single week. It is a platform for truth-telling, a celebration of identity, and a statement of continuity. Today, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are leading change across every field. From health and education to media, business and the arts — telling their own stories, in their own way, on their own terms.

NAIDOC Co-Chair Steven Satour said the 2026 theme marks both a milestone and a moment of responsibility.

“For fifty years, NAIDOC themes have marked the moments when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices shaped the national conversation,” Mr Satour said. “50 Years of Deadly recognises the leadership and cultural authority that carried this movement forward and affirms that NAIDOC’s next chapter will be shaped by community leadership, long-term vision, and a stronger, more sustainable future.” NAIDOC Co-Chair Aunty Professor Lynette Riley said the theme honours the collective effort behind the movement.

“NAIDOC has always belonged to mob,” Aunty Lyn Riley said. “This theme honours the people who stood firm, who kept organising, creating and leading, and who ensured culture and community remained at the centre of everything NAIDOC stands for.”

Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon. Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, said:

“This year’s NAIDOC Week theme, 50 Years of Deadly, celebrates a powerful milestone in the history of NAIDOC. It reflects the pride, strength and resilience of First Nations people and it points to a bright future ahead. “I encourage all Australians to get involved with NAIDOC Week this year. Whether you attend or host a local event, or nominate someone deserving for a NAIDOC Award, it’s a meaningful way to celebrate and recognise the positive contributions First Nations people have made to their communities and our country. “The official NAIDOC Week poster is an important and prestigious part of NAIDOC Week. The 2026 National NAIDOC poster competition gives First Nations artists a national platform to share their culture, creativity and storytelling.”

Principal Media Partnership

NITV and SBS will join National NAIDOC Week as Principal Media Partner for a three-year term from 2026 to 2028, supporting the ongoing visibility and impact of NAIDOC across the country. This partnership reflects a longstanding relationship between NAIDOC, NITV and SBS in championing First Nations storytelling and community leadership.

Tanya Denning-Orman, a proud Birri and Guugu Yimidhirr woman and Director, First Nations at SBS, said: “NAIDOC is led by mob and is a powerful expression of culture, truth-telling and community. As we mark 50 Years of Deadly, we honour the Elders, leaders and communities who carried this movement forward and helped shape its future.

“For NITV and SBS, this partnership is grounded in our shared commitment to elevate First Nations voices and perspectives. It is at the heart of what we do, and we’re proud to stand alongside NAIDOC as principal media partner, supporting the next chapter of a movement led by our communities, and ensuring the significance of this moment is shared nationwide.”

As part of the national launch, NAIDOC has also opened nominations for the 2026 NAIDOC Awards and the National NAIDOC Poster Competition, inviting communities, artists, schools and organisations across the country to participate in the milestone year.

50 Years of Deadly is a marker of what has been built and of the momentum still growing. It is a reminder that NAIDOC belongs to community, that culture leads, and that the work continues.

[TV.Cynic]

SBS Media Sustainability Challenge returns for 2026

The challenge offers brands and agencies $500,000 in advertising inventory for the best TV creative normalising sustainable behaviour and highlighting better environmental consumer practices.

National broadcaster SBS has opened applications for the SBS Media Sustainability Challenge with the aim of again encouraging brands to normalise sustainable behaviour and highlight better environmental practices for Australian consumers.

SBS Media Sustainability Challenge

As a leader in sustainability within the media industry, SBS is offering $500,000 in advertising inventory to the winning campaign, as determined by a jury of leading industry professionals. Last year’s challenge saw the NRMA named the inaugural winner of the SBS Media Sustainability Challenge with a clever EV campaign that encouraged Australians to consider switching to an electric vehicle (EV) and shone a spotlight on their growing network of EV chargers.

Kate Young, National Manager of SBS CulturalConnect, said: “We have had so much positive feedback from the market about the SBS Media Sustainability Challenge and are thrilled that it is back for another exciting year.

“Last year we were inundated with some great ideas and campaigns and we’re so pleased that more of these creative ideas will have an opportunity in this year’s challenge. At its heart, the campaign is asking brands and agencies to work with us to drive positive change to protect our planet by rethinking how they authentically represent sustainability in their marketing campaigns.

“SBS has been a clear leader in this space working to reduce our environmental footprint, but we know change only comes about when our industry collaborates. Through this initiative, we’re helping build a platform to elevate creative ideas that normalise sustainable practices to Australian audiences.”

The challenge is open for submissions until 6 March. Brands and agencies are asked to go online and submit a 30-second television script and 500-word rationale addressing the judging criteria.

In 2026, the challenge has been updated to ask brands to focus on one of three areas:

• NATURE – How your brand protects and restores the natural environment.
• CARBON – How your brand reduces carbon emissions.
• WASTE – How your brand minimises waste through sustainable practices or innovations.

The jury will judge the script and rationale, with entries to be shortlisted in March and a final winner announced in the second half of 2026.

“This is such a strong opportunity for brands, many of whom are already doing great work in this space, to produce something really creative and interesting that will get noticed and help spark positive conversation around sustainable behaviours,” said Young.

SBS confirmed the jury for the SBS Media Challenge would consist of: Adam Liaw, host of The Cook Up and Co-Chair of Sustainable Screens Australia; Arum Nixon, Australia Chapter Lead at Ad Net Zero; Abigail Thomas, SBS Head of Sustainability; Kate Young National Manager, SBS CulturalConnect and Angus Gordon, SBS Head of Creative & Production Services CulturalConnect

The winning ad will also receive consulting services and training through Sustainable Screens Australia to help ensure the advertisement meets best practice for sustainable production.

Interested agencies and brands should go to the SBS Media Sustainability Challenge website for more information.

[JohnsonTV]

What's an Upfront cost? | TV Tonight

[TV.Cynic]

SBS brings Australians together to mark Ramadan and Eid with communities nationwide

As Australians reflect on the importance of understanding, unity and respect, SBS will once again deliver a strong and inclusive Ramadan and Eid cross-network offering as more than 800,000 Australian Muslims begin the holy month of fasting, reflection and prayer leading to Eid al-Fitr celebrations.

The Governor-General of Australia, Her Excellency the Hon. Ms Sam Mostyn AC, said:

“Australia’s strength lies in the respect we show for one another’s beliefs, cultures, and traditions, and SBS plays a vital role in sharing these stories. Observances such as Ramadan offer all Australians an opportunity to learn, reflect and connect, reinforcing understanding and unity across our diverse society. I look forward to marking Ramadan and Eid with SBS.”

Through multilingual explainers and storytelling in over 15 languages*, local community and council partnerships, plus online classroom resources developed in partnership with the Islamic Museum of Australia, SBS will help all Australians connect with the cultural and spiritual significance of this important period for Muslim communities.

SBS Acting Managing Director, Jane Palfreyman, said: “At a time when connection and understanding matter more than ever, SBS is proud to bring Australians together through trusted, multilingual storytelling and education resources. By sharing the traditions and experiences of Ramadan with all Australians across languages and platforms, SBS helps foster understanding, respect and a sense of belonging.”

The SBS Audio offering includes: SBS Bangla delving into how Bangla-speaking families across Australia prepare traditional dishes for Ramadan and Eid; SBS Bosnian capturing the spirit of multicultural celebrations within Bosnian mosques; SBS Spice speaking with people new to the Muslim faith as they experience their first Ramadan; and SBS Urdu exploring Ramadan on Country – highlighting the powerful intersection of First Nations culture and multifaith communities.

The broadcaster’s education arm, SBS Learn, is sharing its updated teacher resource, Lessons on Ramadan and Eid , which features activities for primary and secondary age students and was developed in partnership with the Islamic Museum of Australia.

Looking ahead to Eid al-Fitr, the celebration marking the end of Ramadan, streaming platform SBS On Demand will share a dedicated line-up of food, entertainment and documentaries from 16 March. This includes Jason Atherton Dubai (Monday 16 March at 4:30pm) and Arabia’s Best Kept Secrets with Clive Standen (Monday March 16 at 6:10pm) for foodies*;* the premiere of romantic comedy Americanish, directed by Iman Zawahry who is one of the first hijab-wearing American Muslim filmmakers (Friday 20 March at 6.50pm); and The Glassworker, Pakistan’s first hand-drawn animated film which explores legacy, family and humanity (Sunday 21 March at 6.40pm).

SBS will also be running audience activations at events nationwide. This includes the popular Lakemba Nights during Ramadan (NSW), Multicultural Eid Festival and Fair (MEFF) (NSW), Chand Raat Eid Festival (NSW) and Adelaide Eid Festival (SA).

Further programming details will be shared on the SBS website over the coming month, together with a national Ramadan and Eid Festivals guide. For more information, visit www.sbs.com.au/ramadan

*SBS’s Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr content is available in Arabic, Bangla, Bosnian, Dari, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Malay, Pashto, Somali, Tamil, Turkish and Urdu.

[JohnsonTV]

Keiran Beasley To Depart SBS After 13 Years