SBS submits plans to Government for more and better services

Media releases

13 October 2008

SBS today released a summary of its Triennial Funding Submission which makes the case to the Australian Government for an increase in funding over the 2009-2012 triennium to deliver more and better services to Australians.

Following on from the release of the broadcaster’s Plans for the Future consultation document, the submission outlines SBS’s plans for the next three years across television, radio and online.

A more detailed version of the submission has been delivered to the Australian Government for consideration as part of the 2009-2010 Budget.

“Historically SBS has been subject to neglect and under-funding and, as a result, we have reached a cross-roads where unless we receive more funds, we will have to consider how we cut services,” SBS Managing Director Shaun Brown said.

“SBS has had to meet the challenges of technological change and rising costs by running its business more efficiently or through raising its own revenue to invest in content.

“But the reality is that while we are considered an important Australian cultural institution and vital to the diversity of the media industry, SBS has been chronically under-funded to meet the requirements of its Charter.

“Major projects have been shelved or delayed, content has not been produced or acquired and new services not introduced because of funding shortfalls. In short, SBS has not been able to realise its potential as a national broadcaster due to a lack of resources.

“With an investment by Government that recognises both historic neglect and future challenges, SBS will deliver outcomes that improve social, cultural and economic participation across the Australian community. We look forward to working with the Government towards a successful Budget outcome for SBS in 2009.”

Overview: SBS’s Plans for the Future

SBS Television

SBS – Main Channel

  • More multicultural stories, more of the time: an additional 100 hours of commissioned programming from the Australian independent production sector by 2012.
  • Stories that connect you to the world: acquisition of the best documentary, drama and entertainment from Australia and overseas.
  • Stories that matter: broadening of SBS’s award winning news and current affairs service.
  • More sport: live and free to air.

SBS TWO

  • A new digital channel delivering the best international content to Australian audiences.
  • Predominantly in languages other than English made available to all Australians by utilising SBSâ’s award winning subtitling unit.
  • An Asia-Pacific focus will expand Australia’s understanding of and exposure to the region in which we live.
  • Children’s programming: subtitled kids programming to benefit both established language communities and language learning in Australian schools.
  • Expansion of the World Watch news service delivering in-language news to a broader range of language communities.
  • English language tuition to support language learning for new arrivals.

SBS High Definition Simulcast

  • The conversion of key overseas acquisitions and sport to High Definition.
  • The upgrade of studios to enable High Definition production in news, current affairs and sport.
  • The production and broadcast of all commissioned programming in high definition.

SBS Radio

  • Two national analogue networks, simulcast and time shifted on the digital radio platform, servicing more than 68 languages.
  • Five new digital channels this triennium (increasing to seven after 2012) to help service new and existing language groups.
  • Digital radio has the immediate benefit of making SBS’s existing radio service available in Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, something those communities have long called for.

SBS Online

  • SBS television and radio content available online, for free.
  • Original online material including user generated content.
  • Online hubs for the more than 68 language communities, creating a unique platform for content, discussion and news in every language, strengthening communities and helping them participate more fully in Australian society.
  • New and existing content made available to mobile platforms.