SBS Radio today announced changes to its services to reflect Australia’s rapidly changing and increasingly diverse society. Based on the findings of 2016 Census, more than 1.3 million people have migrated to Australia in the past five years and nearly 4.87 million people speak a language other than English at home including Indigenous languages. The revised services will include seven new languages, including six ‘high needs’ languages and one ‘large’ language supporting new communities who need news and information in their language as they navigate life in Australia. SBS received more than 600 submissions, representing 85 languages including URDU, during the public-consultation process from November to December last year.
- Did you know the Urdu language community has grown during the past five years?
- The number of people who speak Urdu at home has increased from36836 to 69293 in 2016
- As a result, SBS will be investing further in the Urdu language.
- We will continue to have 2 radio programs each week and more funding will be allocated to our digital services.
- More than 60% of our community is aged 20-54…and is seeking news and information at their fingertips.
- SBS Urdu will increase its digital content more than double on various digital platforms that includes web portal, Mobile devices and social media.
- The extra service will mean more audio and online content when and where you want it, on your computer, tablet or smartphone.
Mandi Wicks, SBS Director of Audio Language and Content, said: “SBS Radio is the most linguistically diverse public broadcaster in the world and our services have never been more vital providing Australian-focused news and information in languages other than English. The implementation of the new SBS Radio services will ensure SBS Radio is relevant by reflecting the changing demographics of today’s Australia. While live, linear radio is important to many communities, audiences are increasingly consuming our content via digital platforms, listening to programs on demand and downloading podcasts. Through the review we will re-align our services to ensure they are tailored to the different communities’ needs, delivering more audio and online content when and where audiences are consuming it via mobile devices and tablets.”
During a four-week consultation process (14 November – 11 December 2016) which gave people and organisations the opportunity to provide feedback on the Selection Criteria that was being proposed, SBS Radio received more than 600 submissions; representing 85 languages. The submissions received were taken into consideration in finalising the Selection Criteria, which in conjunction with the 2016 Census data, has determined the revised language services to be provided by SBS Radio. The last review of SBS Radio was conducted during 2012-2013, after the 2011 Census. None of the language program has increased in On-Air time but any growth is reflected in the form of increased digital funding.
Based on the final Selection Criteria for the SBS Radio Services Review and as Australia’s multicultural communities evolve, 12 current languages will be discontinued as they do not meet the Selection Criteria*. These languages are Kannada, Tongan, Norwegian, Cook Island Maori, Fijian, Swedish and the African program (in English) and the following languages that have been in recess for the last 12 to 18 months including Lithuanian, Malay, Latvian, Danish and Maori. These are among the 21 languages broadcast on the 24 hour digital radio station SBS Radio 3, which is also broadcast on digital TV as an audio channel. The remaining nine languages currently on SBS Radio 3 will be retained and include Estonian, Finnish, Ukrainian, Slovenian, Czech, Bulgarian, Slovak, Romanian and Armenian. They will be made available on analogue radio services. SBS Chill, the 24 hour music radio station, will be simulcast on SBS Radio 3.
Seven new languages, including Rohingya, Tibetan and Telugu, (TEL-uh-goo) will receive their own SBS language programs while others are being discontinued after a review of the services. These changes are aimed at reflecting the evolving needs of communities in Australia today. SBS Radio will remain the world's most linguistically diverse public broadcaster, producing content in 68 languages. The changes come into effect on November the 20th.
The changes will be implemented at the end of November. For more information, please go to sbs.com.au/radio.
