SBS goes deeper in 2027 with provocative Australian documentaries, star-studded global drama and unmissable events
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Provocative new documentaries Ray Martin is Misinformed, Homeless 300, Bondi and 2.6 Seconds: Death in the Outback tackle some of the biggest issues and events shaping Australia
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Major new acquisition Legacy of Spies headlines a premium international drama line-up
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SBS confirms FIFA World Cup 2030™ broadcast rights, following a successful 2026 season
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SBS’s most successful commission, Alone Australia, returns for season five, taking on an Arctic winter.
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NITV celebrates 20 years of Blak excellence with Search for the Snowy with Tony Armstrong and Stephen Curry, Saltwater Cowboys, In Design, Proper Loved Up and more.
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Celeste Barber, Brendan Cowell, Shane Janek and Adam Liaw join the cast of Who Do You Think You Are?
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The Eurovision Song Contest heads to Bulgaria, The Cook Up reaches 1,000 episodes, and SBS delivers more than 850 hours of premium international cycling
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Three new series from SBS, NITV, and Screen Australia’s Digital Originals initiative showcase distinctive Australian voices
SBS today unveiled its bold 2027 line-up, bringing Australians closer to the world and to each other through distinctive stories, big ideas and the questions that matter. From fearless documentaries and purposeful storytelling to extraordinary journeys through food, culture and sport, SBS continues to go where others won’t, sparking curiosity, challenging perspectives and revealing more of the world around us. It’s a slate built on confidence in what SBS does best, telling stories that entertain, enlighten and help us understand one another.
Across SBS in 2027, four powerful new documentaries – Ray Martin is Misinformed, Homeless 300, Bondi and NITV co-commission 2.6 Seconds: Death in the Outback – sit alongside major new
international drama acquisition Legacy of Spies, while Alone Australia ventures to the Arctic Circle for its fifth season, and three new Australian scripted series from SBS, NITV, and Screen Australia’s Digital Originals initiative showcase distinctive new voices. NITV marks 20 years of Blak excellence, the Eurovision Song Contest heads to Bulgaria following another huge year with Australian audiences, The Cook Up celebrates its 1,000th episode, and SBS delivers more than 850 hours of world-class cycling.
Managing Director, Jane Palfreyman said: “SBS invites all Australians to see the world differently – sparking curiosity, challenging assumptions and deepening understanding of the people and communities around us.
“Our 2027 slate reflects confidence in that distinctive role. From powerful documentaries and bold Australian stories to international drama, world-class sport and NITV’s celebration of 20 years of Blak excellence, it offers audiences new ways to discover, explore and connect with SBS.
“At a time when Australians are navigating a rapidly changing world, our role has never been more important. This slate shows our purpose in action – telling stories that matter from Australia and across the globe to surprise, inform and entertain audiences. That is what makes this slate so distinctly SBS.”
SBS Director of Television, Kathryn Fink said: : “Australians come to SBS for stories and experiences they won’t find anywhere else. Creative ambition is at the heart of our 2027 slate – bold, provocative, and unmistakably SBS.
“We want to turn every moment of discovery into deeper engagement. Across SBS On Demand, broadcast, audio and digital, we’re investing in exceptional content and sustainable IP that draws people in, compelling them to stay and creating enduring impact and value for both audiences and our partners.”
Where compelling stories meet the human experience
SBS’s documentary slate explores the stories, people and questions shaping Australia today, challenging perceptions, asking difficult questions and giving audiences new ways to understand the world around them. Ray Martin is Misinformed explores artificial intelligence, misinformation, fake news and conspiracy theories, asking why it is becoming harder than ever to know what’s true. Bondi chronicles the aftermath of one of Australia’s darkest days, an unprecedented event that shattered so many lives, particularly the Australian Jewish community. Told through the voices of survivors, families of the victims, first responders and the ordinary people who stepped forward to help those attacked, Bondi will draw on unparalleled access, allowing audiences to more deeply understand what happened on December 14 at Bondi Beach.
Homeless 300, hosted by Samuel Johnson, challenges perceptions of homelessness by putting people and their stories at the centre. In a television first, Meeting a Murderer: The Hilton Bomber sees Marc Fennell sit down with the man who says he was responsible for what is considered Australia’s first major terrorist attack.
Returning favourites continue SBS’s fascination with the human experience. SBS’s most successful commission, Alone Australia, returns to the Arctic Circle for a brutal winter fifth season, exploring the extraordinary physical and psychological limits of its contestants. The Jury: Skeleton in the Garden revisits another landmark case, asking whether a new jury, presented with the same evidence and trial, will reach the same verdict. Who Do You Think You Are? returns with Celeste Barber, Brendan Cowell, Shane Janek and Adam Liaw, uncovering the family histories and cultural journeys that have helped shape their identities. And Marc Fennell and Rae Johnston return for a new season of The Secret DNA of Us, exploring the people, connections and diversity of new regional Australian communities.
Landmark documentary series 2.6 Seconds: Death in the Outback is an SBS and NITV co-commission that powerfully examines the fatal, shocking moments behind the headlines that gripped the nation and the world; when 19-year-old Warlpiri Luritja teenager, Kumanjayi Walker was shot three times in close range by 27-year-old police officer Zachary Rolfe.
Together, these stories embody SBS’s commitment to documentaries that don’t tell audiences what to think, but encourage them to look deeper, ask questions and see the world through someone else’s eyes.
20 years of Blak excellence: NITV celebrates incredible milestone
Gamilaroi man Tony Armstrong, Wiradjuri River guide Richard Swain and actor Stephen Curry in ‘Search for the Snowy’. Credit: TIFFANY GARVIE
NITV continues to champion bold, unapologetic Blak stories that capture the strength and spirit of Community across the nation.
Search for the Snowy is an adventure series that follows mates, Gamilaroi man Tony Armstrong and actor Stephen Curry, as they are led by Wiradjuri River guide, Richard Swain on a formidable 400km journey paddling, hiking, and white-water rapids down the Snowy River learning about history and rediscovering the river’s identity. Factual series InDesign follows Georgia Birks, a proud Biripi, Dunghutti and Kamilaroi woman, as she meets Traditional Owners, architects, builders, artists, and policymakers who are radically transforming how we design and live. Saltwater Cowboys follows Malgana entrepreneur Michael Wear and his Indigenous startup, Tidal Moon, as they revive Australia’s sea cucumber trade and restore Shark Bay’s / Guthaaguda’s seagrass. They battle shark-infested waters and regulatory barriers, while trying to grow their business, empower their community and combat climate change.
Proper Loved Up gathers five bold First Nations rom-coms where emerging voices explore love in all its forms – messy, tender, awkward and electric – across community, culture, and connection. The initiative is a co-commission with the ABC Indigenous and Screen Australia’s First Nations Department for mid-career First Nations producers collaborating with emerging writer/director teams. Films in the initiative include G.O.A.T, A Grief Encounter (starring Deborah Mailman and Wayne Blair), I Dare (Love) You, Belly, and the Sydney Film Festival Dendy award-winning Maŋutji (Catching Eyes).
Set in the same universe as Director Warwick Thornton’s multi award-winning film Sweet Country from 2017, Wolfram features standout performances from Deborah Mailman and its young actors, playing siblings who must rely on each other as they search for the truth about themselves and their family, escape a nightmare, and make unexpected connections on their way to freedom.
Groundbreaking children’s series Little J & Big Cuz returns for a fifth season introducing new First Nations writers and voice actors. The new series supported by ABC, Screen Australia, ACTF, VicScreen, Screen Tasmania and the Australian Council for Educational Research celebrates First Nations children and families through authentic and deeply resonant stories of friendship, community, Country and culture.
At a time of increasing mistrust, misinformation and disinformation, trusted First Nations journalism has never been more important. NITV News, Australia’s only national weekday Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander television news service, delivers trusted, culturally grounded journalism and context on the issues that matter to First Nations communities. Head of Indigenous News and Current Affairs, Mudburra and Wagadagam woman Natalie Ahmat leads NITV News, with cornerstone programs The Point, hosted by Wuthathi and Meriam man and National Indigenous Affairs Editor at SBS and NITV John Paul Janke, and Living Black, hosted by Walkley Award-winning journalist, producer and presenter, Western Arrernte woman Karla Grant, returning in 2027 with in-depth investigations and critical conversations.
Global stars. Epic stories.
SBS continues to bring audiences premium international drama, from blockbusters to the next big series everyone will be talking about. Based on John le Carré’s global best-selling novels, hotly anticipated espionage thriller Legacy of Spies is an eight-part drama with an all-star cast. Led by Matthew Macfadyen, Charlie Hunnam and Hugh Laurie, this story of strategy, loyalty, love, and betrayal will be a must-watch!
Belfast’s favourite response officers are back on the beat as the critically acclaimed ratings juggernaut Blue Lights makes its triumphant return, blending raw street tension with deeply human heart. The boys are back for a thrilling third season of Steven Knight’s Rogue Heroes, bringing back its irreverent band of renegades for another explosive chapter of mayhem, misadventure and unforgettable true-ish history. The biting Silicon Valley satire The Audacity returns with Billy Magnussen. In The Lowdown, Ethan Hawke is a Tulsa bookstore owner and self-styled “truthstorian” who risks everything to expose corruption and uncover the city’s darkest secrets. Aidan Gillen stars in darkly comic crime drama Tall Tales & Murder, in which two unlikely misfits are drawn into a dangerous world of gangsters, stolen gold and mysterious treasure as they race across Ireland. Popular crime thriller Code of Silence returns for a second season, with Rose Ayling-Ellis back as Alison Brooks, whose extraordinary lip-reading skills once again draw her into a dangerous world of crime and deception. The acclaimed Babylon Berlin returns for its fifth and final season, as Gereon Rath and Charlotte Ritter face their most dangerous case yet amid the growing darkness of 1933 Berlin. From the world of acclaimed author Anne Rice, The Vampire Lestat stars Sam Reid as the infamous vampire who reinvents himself as a rock star. The ‘Has Fallen’ franchise returns with Apollo Has Fallen, as Zara and Vincent race from Libya to Madrid to stop a deadly virus from unleashing chaos across Europe.
Also on offer, a strong selection of world movies including Sean Baker’s Oscar winning Anora, Sing Sing starring Colman Domingo, which received multiple Oscar nominations, and The Count of Monte Cristo, the French epic that became a major critical and box-office success in France. The line-up also includes Oscar-nominated Maria, starring Angelina Jolie as opera legend Maria Callas and directed by Pablo Larraín, and Queer, starring Daniel Craig and directed by Luca Guadagnino. Supported by SBS, Sweet Milk Lake, a trans-centred Australian drama starring Harvey Zielinski and Hunter Page-Lochard, marks the debut feature of rising Australian director Harvey Zielinski.
Australian drama with heart and bite
SBS is excited to reveal three new Australian scripted series through SBS, NITV and Screen Australia’s trailblazing Digital Originals program. Digital Originals has established itself as a proven pathway for underrepresented voices to tell distinctive, award-winning stories and the coming year will take audiences into the depths of the Magandjin mangroves to the comedy scene in Melbourne and a supernatural nail salon in Nipaluna.
Mangrove Mansion follows Sunny and her fiancé Alex who, after her dad threatens to skip their wedding, commandeer his houseboat to get him to the mainland. Crashing into a stinking mess of mud and mangroves, they must survive the sinking boat, Country, and each other to get unstuck. In Pretty Deadly, after botching a Welcome to Country, a culturally disconnected Aboriginal nail tech must juggle the demands of her new salon and angry community members with a newfound power to unleash spirits with a single touch. Tantrum sees a friendship descend into a bitter, life-altering and hilarious feud after Varsha’s career-defining gig is derailed by her best friend Jeev’s screaming toddler and an anti-parent rant that goes viral.
Iconic formats with passionate audiences
SBS continues to deliver distinctive entertainment that brings the world to Australian audiences, from spectacular global events to smart, original formats. The Eurovision Song Contest returns in 2027 after more than 3.27 million Australians tuned in this year, with Australia’s Delta Goodrem taking an impressive fourth place in Vienna, Austria. As Eurovision heads to Bulgaria, who will represent Australia in 2027? Also returning is Mastermind, with Marc Fennell once again taking the iconic chair as a new group of contestants put their specialist knowledge to the ultimate test. From the fascinating to the unexpected, their passions and expertise will take viewers on a journey of discovery, proving there’s always something new to learn, and plenty to be curious about.
A cultural feast for the senses
SBS remains Australia’s leading destination for premium food programming, bringing audiences closer to the people, places and stories behind what we eat. Food is a powerful way into culture, connecting memories, traditions and family stories across languages and generations. That spirit comes to life across SBS’s new food slate. Minoli’s Spice Island introduces audiences to a new Sri Lanka through the eyes and voice of chef and creator Minoli De Silva, blending vibrant food, travel and personal storytelling.
Forget the passport and head to Parramatta and surrounds, as Family Dineasties sees Kylie Kwong and Sydney Food Boy uncover the families, food and hidden gems of Western Sydney.
Next Year, The Cook Up returns with Adam Liaw and celebrates a milestone 1,000 episodes! Before this year is out special Christmas episodes will serve up inspiration for the festive season. What began as a cooking show has grown into a true food destination across broadcast, digital and social, bringing audiences back for recipes, inspiration and connection, and creating authentic opportunities for brands to be part of the experience.
Tucci in Italy sees everyone’s favourite cultural connoisseur explore the landscapes and cuisine of Italy, and in the new season of Rick Stein’s Australia, the beloved seafood maestro follows the people, places and produce behind every dish. Also, narrated by Rick Stein, Inside Sydney Fish Market goes behind
the scenes of one of Australia’s most iconic institutions, revealing the fascinating people, untold stories and organised chaos behind a place millions of Australians think they already know.
A front row seat to the sporting moments you can’t miss
As the Home of Cycling, SBS brings fans closer to the world’s greatest races, including the men’s and women’s Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a España and the major European Cycling Classics, with more than 850 hours of premium international cycling. But SBS’s coverage goes beyond the competition, taking audiences on a journey through the cultures, landscapes and communities that surround each race. From historic cities and spectacular landscapes to local food, traditions and the people who call these places home, every stage offers a unique sense of place.
Across its sport portfolio, SBS captures the stories and experiences that make each event more than a race, from the Australian Championships (Football) to the extreme challenge of the Dakar Rally and the endurance test of the Sydney Marathon, the only World Marathon Major in the Southern Hemisphere. By bringing audiences closer to the athletes, destinations and defining moments, SBS offers a deeper connection to the sports and stories they love. Also, don’t miss the Tennis: Kooyong Classic, Motorsports, ISU Figure Skating, and World Gymnastics.
News that recognises the other 192 countries on the planet
In 2027, Australia’s most trusted commercial news service* will help Australians navigate the global issues impacting us all, underpinned by SBS World News and the SBS News website, one of Australia’s most read news websites. SBS WorldWatch delivers international news programs in 38 languages from 49 broadcasters around the world via SBS On Demand.
On Tuesday nights, Insight returns with host Kumi Taguchi to provide a judgment-free forum for nuanced discussions around taboo topics. Award-winning current affairs will continue to deepen your understanding, with Australia’s longest-running international current affairs program, Dateline, delivering brave and compelling stories from around the world. The Feed continues to engage younger audiences with its influencer debate series. * Digital News Report 2026
Innovation, insights and impact
Alongside its bold content slate for 2027, SBS announced it had secured the exclusive Australian rights to the FIFA World Cup 2030TM. The broadcaster also unveiled new outcomes-based measurement through SBS Data Lab; new partnerships extending its campaign reach into outdoor, creator economy and retail; an expanded Sustainability Challenge, in partnership with Guardian Australia, with $700k in advertising inventory for the winner; research into the $140 billion “Booster Economy” and ‘everyday inheritances’; and a refreshed SBS 2027 Census Explorer. Further announcements included SBS News headlines to feature across oOh!media sites and a landmark Optus partnership with NITV supporting First Nations media and languages.
Screen Australia provided production investment for newly announced projects, Homeless 300 with Screenwest, The Secret DNA of Us S2, Bondi and Ray Martin is Misinformed with Screen NSW, Search for the Snowy with Screen NSW and VicScreen, In Design with Screen QLD, Sweet Milk Lake with VicScreen, and Saltwater Cowboys with Screenwest. Screen Australia’s First Nations Department has provided production investment for 2.6 Seconds: Death in the Outback with Screen NSW.
Little J & Big Cuz is a Ned Lander Media and Ramu production for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and National Indigenous Television. Major production investment from Screen Australia and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, in association with National Indigenous Television. Financed with assistance from the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF) with VicScreen, Screen Tasmania and the Australian Council for Educational Research. World sales by the Australian Children’s Television Foundation.
About Legacy of Spies Legacy of Spies is produced by The Ink Factory, in co-production with Amusement Park Film and in association with 127 Wall Productions and Paramount Television Studios, for the BBC iPlayer, BBC One, and MGM+. The executive producers are Stephen Cornwell who also serves as showrunner, and writer for the series alongside Clarissa Ingram, Graham Yost (Justified, Silo), Simon Cornwell (The Pigeon Tunnel, The Night Manager), Michele Wolkoff, Malte Grunert (All Quiet on the Western Front), Chris Rice, Matthew Macfadyen, Charlie Hunnam, Michael Lennox and Joe Tsai. Susanne Bier and Mike Lesslie are also executive producers. The executive producers for the BBC are Gaynor Holmes and Nick Lambon. Nick Cornwell is executive producer for the John le Carré estate. Sam Costin and Clarissa Ingram serve as co-executive producers and Nancy Bray is producing for The Ink Factory. Fifth Season is handling global sales.
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