SBS WorldWatch embraces digital future with move to SBS On Demand

On 18 September, SBS WorldWatch will transition from a linear television channel to an enhanced digital-only service on SBS On Demand, providing international news in 38 languages from 49 broadcasters around the world. The move gives multilingual Australians more content, greater choice and flexibility in when and how they watch international news, as audiences increasingly shift to digital platforms.

Building on its existing digital service as the linear channel closes, SBS WorldWatch will expand over the coming weeks to include two or more daily bulletins in most languages. This is more content than could be accommodated on a single linear channel, with audiences able to watch bulletins as soon as they become available, rather than waiting for a scheduled broadcast. SBS On Demand also features two 24-hour FAST channels for English-language news – Euronews and France 24.

For many Australians, SBS On Demand is an established destination for the public broadcaster’s distinctive content. During SBS’s ground-breaking broadcast of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ which reached 18.1 million Australians, most watched via SBS On Demand, demonstrating the platform’s ability to reach audiences at scale.

SBS Director of News and Current Affairs, Mandi Wicks, said:

“SBS WorldWatch plays an important role in connecting Australians with news and perspectives from around the world, in their preferred language. Moving to SBS On Demand gives us the opportunity to build on that service, with more international news bulletins and greater flexibility for audiences to decide when and how they watch.

“We recognise this will be a change for some audiences who are accustomed to watching SBS WorldWatch on linear television. We’re committed to supporting them through the transition, while continuing to evolve our services for the future.”

To help audiences make the transition, SBS is providing multilingual information and guidance through SBS Audio language programs and on SBS WorldWatch channel 35 ahead of the change. Further information can be found at www.sbs.com.au/worldwatch, with personalised support available via the SBS Help Centre.

The SBS WorldWatch – News In-Language hub can be found on the SBS On Demand homepage, where audiences can also search for content in their preferred language. Additional bulletins will be added over the coming weeks.

The full SBS On Demand offering features more than 15,000 hours of local and international programming across more than 60 languages, spanning news and current affairs, documentaries, drama, world movies, entertainment, food, children’s content and sport. This includes dedicated language collections, alongside selected English-language programs with subtitles in Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese.

SBS On Demand is a free streaming service for all Australians that can be accessed via the app on Smart TVs, mobiles and tablets, or via the SBS website. The app is free to download from the Apple App Store for iOS here and Google Play for Android here.

SBS also provides locally produced news and community stories in more than 60 languages through SBS Audio’s linear radio channels, with this programming also available as podcasts and via SBS On Demand. The SBS Audio linear radio schedule of more than 60 language programs can be viewed here.

The SBS WorldWatch linear television channel 35 will close on Friday 18 September 2026.

-ENDS

For further information and interview requests please contact:

Nicole Jeffery | nicole.jeffery@sbs.com.au | 0439 243 625

For a PDF of this media release, click here.