Struggle Street has aired its final episode, bringing in large numbers of viewers and sparking fierce debate online.
The final episode in the three-part-series about residents of the Western Sydney suburb or Mt Druitt came a week after SBS was criticised for peddling "poverty porn".
In a statement released today, SBS said Struggle Street had been successful.
"A combined 1.133 million people (Metro: 807,000; Regional: 327,000) viewed episode 2 in the 8.30pm timeslot, and a combined 1.191 million (Metro: 851,000; Regional: 339,000) viewed episode 3 at 9.30pm," the statement said.
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"With a reach of 3.275 million people across the three episodes (Metro and Regional combined, including the episode 1 repeat), the program has helped spark an important national conversation around social equality and disadvantage in Australian society."
But Blacktown mayor Stephen Bali said the point of the SBS documentary had been solely to shock.
"The big question is will it shock people into actually standing up and contacting their local federal and state members, to say 'give them funding back, we've got to help people'," he said.
"People are in shock and awe at the moment, but if there's no action we've just destroyed the reputation of the suburb and nine families."
The hashtag #StruggleStreet trended at No.1 on Twitter during the two episodes.
The Blacktown mayor said SBS was not proactive in showing services available for people who are struggling.
Mr Bali also questioned SBS's accountability in some of the production's more controversial scenes, including a pregnant 21-year-old taking drugs, which caused outrage on social media.
Blacktown Council will be calling on the broadcaster to work with them on a film festival to show the positives of the area, he said.
