Television

SBS Television: bold, brave, independent

Every week, more than 5.4 million Australians in metro areas and 2.7 million in regional areas tune into SBS Television for a mix of Australian and internationally produced programs drawn from over 400 national and international sources. At SBS our charter drives us to find the best and most innovative programming from just about anywhere on the planet, and to showcase the diversity that thrives in our own backyard.  

Around half of our programs are broadcast in languages other than English, and many of these are made accessible to everyone who speaks English by our award-winning subtitling unit. SBS opens up a world of news and current affairs, film, sport, documentary, drama, comedy, entertainment and animation, created both in-house and by the independent production sector, as well as internationally. SBS is committed to exploring contemporary Australian lives, experiences and viewpoints.

News

SBS Television has more news, and more news sources, than any other Australian television network. Nobody else in Australia gives access to the well over a hundred hours of international news bulletins that WorldWatch offers on SBS ONE (53 hours) and SBS TWO (78 hours) in 21 languages, originating from 22 countries each week. Visit the World News Australia website.

Films

Boasting an international film library of more than 1000 titles, SBS broadcasts an average of 26 films each week across SBS ONE and SBS TWO and as many as 250 first-run movies each year. Visit the SBS Film website.

Sport

SBS has all the sports events the world gets passionate about.
 
SBS has long been a pioneer of football in Australia but, as the Official Broadcaster of the FIFA World Cup since 1990, its loyalty to football audiences is not limited to just the jewel in the crown. SBS is also responsible for ensuring that Australian audiences view the world game of football on all levels, for both the men's and women's tournaments from FIFA including the Women's World Cup, U-17s & U-20 year old World Cups, the Confederations Cup, Beach Soccer, Club World Cup and more.

The best of European football has long since had a free-to-air home and a true following on SBS with the FA Cup Final, UEFA Euro, UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League included in SBS's exciting football line-up.

SBS's flagship weekly football program, The World Game, is a must watch for all football fans every Sunday afternoon and features exclusive interviews, special guests, in-depth analysis, news reports, results and highlights of football leagues from all around the globe.

Since the introduction of SBS's digital channel, SBS TWO, in June 2009, the network has subsequently doubled its weekly television football content.

Along with football, SBS has long championed the sport of domestic and international cycling in Australia.

In 2008, the Tour Down Under returned to SBS and the network extended its LIVE cycling broadcast to the greatest one-day cycling classic, the Paris-Roubaix, and a few months later presented the Beijing Olympics men's and women's road cycling events. In 2010, SBS will celebrate its 20th anniversary broadcasting the prestigious Tour de France.

SBS Sport has built an extensive list of sporting credentials having broadcast the Ashes Series, IAAF World Championships in Athletics, World Rally Champions, Superbikes, Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the weekly Speedweek motoring program.

Documentaries

Politics, conflict, history, science, technology, culture, travel, food: in documentary programming, SBS has no peer in Australian free-to-air television. In 2008-09, SBS ONE broadcast 432 hours of first-run documentaries (1000 hours if you include repeats) on a variety of topics from a plethora of sources, including local independent film-makers. Visit the Documentaries website.

Digital Television

On 1 June 2009, SBS launched its digital multichannel SBS TWO to enable us to tell more stories. SBS TWO shows more content in-language than ever before, made accessible to all English-speaking Australians through the use of subtitles. In July 2009, SBS broadcast two major sporting fixtures - the Tour de France and the Ashes cricket series - simultaneously on SBS ONE and SBS TWO. The first program broadcast on SBS TWO was the Academy Award-winning animated short film Harvey Krumpet, which was made with the support of SBS.

Transmission

SBS's analogue television service reaches 96.9 per cent of all Australians. SBS's digital television services currently reach an estimated 96.8 per cent of the population. Refer to transmissions for more technical detail.

SBS Self Help Retransmission Subsidy Scheme

The SBS Self Help Retransmission Subsidy Scheme provides funding assistance for the setting up of local retransmission facilities in small communities that do not currently have access to SBS TV or radio programs.  Refer to transmissions for more technical detail.

Awards

The real reward for a public broadcaster like SBS is the freedom to commission, create and acquire the most creative television, radio and online content seen and heard in the country. The awards we receive every year across every facet of our business is an endorsement of the work we do.

        Congratulations to our 2009 AFI Winners;

The full list of winners is as follows:

AFI INTERNATIONAL AWARD FOR BEST ACTOR
Russell Crowe. State of Play
Martin Henderson. House. Network Ten
Anthony LaPaglia. Without a Trace. Nine Network
Guy Pearce. Bedtime Stories

AFI INTERNATIONAL AWARD FOR BEST ACTRESS
Rose Byrne. Damages. Foxtel
Toni Collette. United States of Tara. ABC1
Melissa George. In Treatment. Foxtel
Mia Wasikowska. In Treatment. Foxtel

AFI YOUNG ACTOR AWARD
Brandon Walters. Australia
Sebastian Gregory. Beautiful
Tom Russell. Last Ride
Toby Wallace. Lucky Country
Marissa Gibson. Samson & Delilah
Rowan McNamara. Samson & Delilah

AFI VISUAL EFFECTS AWARD
Australia. Chris Godfrey, James E. Price, Andy Brown, Rob Duncan
Death of the Megabeasts. Matt Drummond, Mike Dunn
Plastic. Sandy Widyanata, Eric So, Matthew Mackereth, Christopher Jackson
Scorched. Bertrand Polivka, Soren Jensen. Nine Network

TELEVISION NOMINEES

AFI AWARD FOR BEST CHILDREN’S TELEVISION DRAMA
The Elephant Princess. Jonathan M. Shiff, Joanna Werner. Network Ten
Time Trackers. Sue Taylor. Seven Network

AFI AWARD FOR BEST CHILDREN’S TELEVISION ANIMATION
The Adventures of Charlotte and Henry. Paige Livingston. Seven Network
Classic Tales. Noel Price. ABC
Figaro Pho. Luke Jurevicius. ABC1
Zeke’s Pad. Avrill Stark, Delna Bhesania, Liz Scully, Leonard Terhoch. Seven Network

AFI AWARD FOR BEST TELEVISION COMEDY SERIES
Chandon Pictures. Rob Carlton. Movie Network
Lawrence Leung's Choose Your Own Adventure. Nathan Earl, Andy Nehl. ABC1
Review With Myles Barlow. Dean Bates. ABC
Very Small Business. Wayne Hope, Robyn Butler. ABC1

AFI AWARD FOR BEST LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION SERIES
The Gruen Transfer, Series 2. Andrew Denton, Anita Jacoby, Jon Casimir, Debbie Cuell. ABC
RocKwiz. Brian Nankervis, Ken Connor, Peter Bain-Hogg, Joe Connor. SBS
Spicks and Specks. Anthony Watt. ABC

AFI AWARD FOR BEST TELEVISION DRAMA SERIES
East West 101, Season 2. Kristine Wyld, Steve Knapman. SBS
Packed to the Rafters. Jo Porter. Seven Network
Satisfaction, Season 2. Andrew Walker, Roger Simpson. Showcase
Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities. Greg Haddrick, Brenda Pam. Nine Network

AFI AWARD FOR BEST TELEFEATURE, MINI SERIES OR SHORT RUN SERIES
3 Acts of Murder. Sue Taylor. ABC1
False Witness. Greg Haddrick, Peter Andrikidis. UKTV
The Last Confession of Alexander Pearce. Nial Fulton. ABC1
Saved. Michael McMahon, Tony Ayres. SBS

AFI AWARD FOR BEST DIRECTION IN TELEVISION
East West 101, Season 2 (Episode 13, Atonement) Peter Andrikidis. SBS
False Witness (Episode 1) Peter Andrikidis. UKTV
Review With Myles Barlow (Episode 1) Trent O’Donnell. ABC
Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities (Episode 11, The Brotherhood) Grant Brown. Nine Network

AFI AWARD FOR BEST SCREENPLAY IN TELEVISION
30 Seconds (Episode 4, Invisible Fault Lines) Tim Bullock, Justin Drape, Scott Nowell. Foxtel
East West 101, Season 2 (Episode 13, Atonement) Michael Miller, Kristen Dunphy. SBS
Review With Myles Barlow (Episode 1) Trent O’Donnell, Phil Lloyd. ABC
Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities (Episode 11, The Brotherhood) Kris Mrksa. Nine Network

AFI AWARD FOR BEST LEAD ACTOR IN A TELEVISION DRAMA
Robert Menzies. 3 Acts of Murder. ABC1
Don Hany. East West 101, Season 2. SBS
Dougray Scott. False Witness. UKTV
Roy Billing. Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities. Nine Network

AFI AWARD FOR BEST LEAD ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION DRAMA
Susie Porter. East West 101, Season 2. SBS
Rachael Blake. False Witness. UKTV
Rebecca Gibney. Packed to the Rafters. Seven Network
Asher Keddie. Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities. Nine Network

AFI AWARD FOR BEST GUEST OR SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A TELEVISION DRAMA
Bille Brown. 3 Acts of Murder. ABC1
Jeremy Lindsay Taylor. False Witness (Episode 2). UKTV
Richard Roxburgh. False Witness (Episode 2). UKTV
Damian de Montemas. Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities (Episode 11, The Brotherhood). Nine Network

AFI AWARD FOR BEST GUEST OR SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION DRAMA
Anni Finsterer. 3 Acts of Murder. ABC1
Claire Forlani. False Witness (Episode 1). UKTV
Kathryn Beck. Scorched. Nine Network
Kate Ritchie. Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities (Episode 4, Business As Usual). Nine Network

AFI AWARD FOR BEST PERFORMANCE IN A TELEVISION COMEDY
Robyn Butler. The Librarians, Series 2. ABC
Phil Lloyd. Review With Myles Barlow. ABC
Kim Gyngell. Very Small Business. ABC1
Wayne Hope. Very Small Business. ABC1

 
NON-FEATURE FILM NOMINEES

AFI AWARD FOR BEST FEATURE LENGTH DOCUMENTARY
Bastardy. Philippa Campey, Amiel Courtin-Wilson, Lynn-Maree Milburn, Andrew de Groot
The Choir. Chris Hilton, Michael Davie
Glass: a portrait of Philip in twelve parts. Scott Hicks, Susanne Preissler
Lionel. Lizzette Atkins

AFI AWARD FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY UNDER ONE HOUR
The Love Market. Shalom Almond. National Geographic
Salt. Michael Angus. ABC
Solo. Jennifer Peedom. ABC1
Tackling Peace. Marc Radomsky. Network Ten

AFI AWARD FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY SERIES
Beyond Kokoda. Stig Schnell, Shaun Gibbons. Foxtel
First Australians. Darren Dale, Rachel Perkins, Helen Panckhurst. SBS
Once Bitten. Beth Frey, Janette Howe. SBS
Voices From The Cape. David Selvarajah Vadiveloo, Anna Kaplan. ABC1

AFI AWARD FOR BEST DIRECTION IN A DOCUMENTARY
Bastardy. Amiel Courtin-Wilson
The Choir. Michael Davie
First Australians (Episode 4, There Is No Other Law). Rachel Perkins. SBS
The Love Market. Shalom Almond. National Geographic

AFI AWARD FOR BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY IN A DOCUMENTARY
Beyond Kokoda (Buying Time). Stig Schnell, Shaun Gibbons, Brett Murphy, Ben Nunney. Foxtel
Cracking the Colour Code (Episode 2, Making Colours). Ian Batt, Vincent Fooy. SBS
My Asian Heart. David Bradbury
Salt. Murray Fredericks. ABC

AFI AWARD FOR BEST EDITING IN A DOCUMENTARY
Bastardy. Bill Murphy, Jack Hutchings, Richard Lowenstein
Cracking the Colour Code (Episode 2, Making Colours). Lawrie Silvestrin. SBS
How Kevin Bacon Cured Cancer. Zen Rosenthal. ABC
Yes Madam, Sir. Megan Doneman, Annie Collins

AFI AWARD FOR BEST SOUND IN A DOCUMENTARY
The Choir. Sam Hayward, Phil Judd, Felicity Fox, Alli Heynes, Phil Vail, David White
Glass: a portrait of Philip in twelve parts. Stephen R. Smith, Peter Smith
Intangible Asset Number 82. Matthew Ferris, Michael Gissing, Andrew McGrath
Lionel. Nick Batterham, Keith Thomas, Cezary Skubiszewski

AFI AWARD FOR BEST SHORT ANIMATION
The Cat Piano. Jessica Brentnall, Eddie White, Ari Gibson
Chicken of God. Jodi Satya, Frank Woodley
The Not-So-Great Eugene Green. Melanie Brunt, Michael Hill
Reach. Luke Randall

AFI AWARD FOR BEST SHORT FICTION FILM
Burn. Anna Kaplan, David Selvarajah Vadiveloo
Liebermans In The Sky. Jessica Redenbach, Richard Vilensky
Miracle Fish. Drew Bailey, Luke Doolan
Water. Sarah Shaw, Corrie Jones

AFI AWARD FOR BEST SCREENPLAY IN A SHORT FILM
Boxer. Michael Latham
Liebermans In The Sky. Richard Vilensky
Miracle Fish. Luke Doolan
Water. Corrie Jones, Sarah Shaw, Ian Meadows

 
FEATURE FILM NOMINEES

AFI MEMBERS' CHOICE AWARD
Australia. Baz Luhrmann, G. Mac Brown, Catherine Knapman
Balibo. John Maynard, Rebecca Williamson
Beautiful Kate. Leah Churchill-Brown, Bryan Brown
Mao's Last Dancer. Jane Scott
Mary and Max. Melanie Coombs
Samson & Delilah. Kath Shelper

SAMSUNG MOBILE AFI AWARD FOR BEST FILM
Balibo. John Maynard, Rebecca Williamson
Beautiful Kate. Leah Churchill-Brown, Bryan Brown
Blessed. Al Clark
Mao’s Last Dancer. Jane Scott
Mary and Max. Melanie Coombs
Samson & Delilah. Kath Shelper

AFI AWARD FOR BEST DIRECTION
Balibo. Robert Connolly
Beautiful Kate. Rachel Ward
Mao's Last Dancer. Bruce Beresford
Samson & Delilah. Warwick Thornton

MACQUARIE AFI AWARD FOR BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Cedar Boys. Serhat Caradee
Mary and Max. Adam Elliot
My Year Without Sex. Sarah Watt
Samson & Delilah. Warwick Thornton

MACQUARIE AFI AWARD FOR BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Balibo. Robert Connolly, David Williamson
Beautiful Kate. Rachel Ward
Blessed. Andrew Bovell, Melissa Reeves, Patricia Cornelius, Christos Tsiolkas
Mao's Last Dancer. Jan Sardi

AFI AWARD FOR BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Balibo. Tristan Milani ACS
Beautiful Kate. Andrew Commis
Last Ride. Greig Fraser
Samson & Delilah. Warwick Thornton

AFI AWARD FOR BEST EDITING
Balibo. Nick Meyers ASE
Blessed. Jill Bilcock ACE, ASE
Mao’s Last Dancer. Mark Warner
Samson & Delilah. Roland Gallois

AFI AWARD FOR BEST SOUND
Australia. Andy Nelson, Anna Behlmer, Wayne Pashley MPSE, Guntis Sics
Balibo. Sam Petty, Emma Bortignon, Phil Heywood, Ann Aucote
Mao's Last Dancer. David Lee, Andrew Neil, Yulia Akerholt, Mark Franken, Roger Savage
Samson & Delilah. Liam Egan, David Tranter, Robert Sullivan, Tony Murtagh,
Yulia Akerholt, Les Fiddess

AFI AWARD FOR BEST ORIGINAL MUSIC SCORE
Australia. David Hirschfelder, Felix Meagher, Baz Luhrmann, Angela Little
Balibo. Lisa Gerrard
Mao's Last Dancer. Christopher Gordon
Samson & Delilah. Warwick Thornton
 
AFI AWARD FOR BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
Australia. Catherine Martin, Ian Gracie, Karen Murphy, Beverley Dunn
Balibo. Robert Cousins
Mao's Last Dancer. Herbert Pinter
Mary and Max. Adam Elliot

AFI AWARD FOR BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Australia. Catherine Martin, Eliza Godman
Balibo. Cappi Ireland
Lucky Country. Mariot Kerr
Mao's Last Dancer. Anna Borghesi

AFI AWARD FOR BEST LEAD ACTOR
Anthony LaPaglia. Balibo
Ben Mendelsohn. Beautiful Kate
Hugo Weaving. Last Ride
Rowan McNamara. Samson & Delilah

AFI AWARD FOR BEST LEAD ACTRESS
Sophie Lowe. Beautiful Kate
Frances O'Connor. Blessed
Sacha Horler. My Year Without Sex
Marissa Gibson. Samson & Delilah

AFI AWARD FOR BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Brandon Walters. Australia
Damon Gameau. Balibo
Oscar Isaac. Balibo
Bryan Brown. Beautiful Kate

AFI AWARD FOR BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Bea Viegas. Balibo
Maeve Dermody. Beautiful Kate
Rachel Griffiths. Beautiful Kate
Mitjili Gibson. Samson & Delilah

A story in pictures:  The Mayan people of central America recorded their stories in stone and on perishables such as hides and bark paper. Much was destroyed by Spanish Franciscans in the 16th century but the hieroglyphs which remain show mythical floods, ritual transformations, human sacrifices, bloody battles, creation stories and more.