SBS Radio Services Review 2016/17

(Updated 27 June 2017)

Final language Selection Criteria for SBS Radio Services Review 2017

* Population size based on 2016 Census data – Language Spoken at Home other than English (LANP)

The final Selection Criteria and Census 2016 data will determine which languages are serviced by SBS. Subject to funding, SBS will determine when and how the language services will be delivered – e.g. via AM/FM, digital radio, digital television, online and/or podcast.

Welcome to the SBS Radio Services Review website. SBS Radio is reviewing its language services in conjunction with the 2016 Census data, to ensure its schedule of languages reflects the needs of communities in Australia today.

SBS Radio Services Review 2016/17 – Final Selection Criteria

SBS received more than 600 submissions, representing 85 languages, during a period of public consultation from 14 November to 11 December 2016. The public consultation gave people and organisations the opportunity to provide feedback on the Selection Criteria that was being proposed.

The submissions received were taken into consideration for the final Selection Criteria published on 2 March 2017. The criteria will now be used, in conjunction with the 2016 Census data (released from 27 June 2017), to determine which languages will be provided by SBS Radio services. SBS is planning to announce the revised services in September 2017 and is working towards the revised services being launched by the end of 2017.

SBS will determine how the language services are delivered across AM and FM radio, digital radio and digital television, online and podcast services, taking into account factors including audience listening habits, the need to support audience demands for anytime, anywhere news and information via digital platforms, and the changing demographics of Australia’s communities.

The last review of SBS Radio was conducted during 2012-2013, and it was the first major review of the radio services in nearly 18 years. At the time, SBS committed to reviewing its schedule in line with the release of each Census. The result from this review will serve audiences from late 2017 until the next Australian Census in 2021 prompts the next review in 2022.

How did SBS decide the final Selection Criteria?

During the consultation period, SBS sought feedback from people and organisations on the draft language Selection Criteria, outlined below:

Draft language Selection Criteria 2016/17

• Large Languages Criteria: population of approximately 25,000* or greater.

• High Needs Languages Criteria: (maximum of 15 languages)

• SBS may also include a sizeable ethnic community if its needs are significant but not adequately captured in the Large Language or High Needs Selection Criteria. Factors which SBS may take into account include:

* Population size based on 2016 Census data – Language Spoken at Home other than English (LANP)

How many submissions were received and where did they come from?

SBS received 602 submissions during the public consultation period, representing 85 languages. Feedback from SBS Radio listeners made up 64% of all responses and community representatives 28%.  Submissions were received from all states and territories of Australia, excluding the Northern Territory which was not specifically represented.

Of the 85 languages represented in the submissions, SBS received requests to provide services for language groups not currently serviced by SBS including: Afrikaans, Azerbaijani (Azeri), Balochi, Baltic, Burushski (or Burushaski), Chaldean, Hazaragi, Irish Gaelic, Juba Arabic, Kashmiri, Kinyarwanda/Kirundi, Kriol, Kyrgyz, Nuer, Saraiki, Sindhi, Swiss German - Echo Helvetia, Woiwurrung, Torres Strait Creole (Yumplatok) and variants from across Melanesia.

The final Selection Criteria will be applied to all language groups represented in the Census, including those not currently on the SBS Radio schedule.

Large languages criterion feedback

SBS received minimal feedback in relation to setting a threshold of 25,000 speakers in a community as the minimum for a language to be included under the Large Language Selection Criteria. On this basis, SBS considers there is general acceptance of this figure. 

High Needs criterion feedback

In relation to the High Needs Selection Criteria, the feedback was reasonably spread across the categories of English language proficiency, recentness of arrival and ageing. With ageing, many submissions highlighted the decline in English proficiency as people age. Feedback noted that each are important sub-categories of the High Needs criterion.

The feedback also suggested the number of ‘high needs’ communities in Australia is growing with a need for settlement information in language, with some feedback suggesting an increase to the number of High Needs languages serviced by SBS. The feedback was minimal in relation to the proposed minimum size of 1,000 speakers for inclusion as a High Needs community.

Changes between the draft language Selection Criteria and the final language Selection Criteria

In response to all feedback received during the public consultation, the final Selection Criteria contains four changes to the criteria proposed during the Public Consultation. These changes are:

1. Changing from a maximum of 15 High Needs languages to a minimum of 15 High Needs languages, subject to SBS funding. To reflect the growing number of high needs communities in Australia, the wording has been changed to give SBS the flexibility to increase the number of High Needs languages to more than 15 if funding permits.
2. Increasing the English Language proficiency weighting in the High Needs index from 40% to 45%.  The English language proficiency, recentness of arrival and ageing sub-categories of the High Needs criterion received the most feedback, noting their overall importance for inclusion in the High Needs index. The increased weighting above takes into greater consideration the English language proficiency of new arrivals and older migrants.
3. Decreasing the household resources weighting in the High Needs index from 15% to 10%. Based on the submissions received during the public consultation, this criterion was perceived to be a secondary indicator of potential need for a language service. Decreasing its weighting enables SBS to increase the English language proficiency weighting.
4. Including an additional statement to provide further clarity about the process: “The final Selection Criteria and Census 2016 data will determine which languages are serviced by SBS. Subject to funding, SBS will determine when and how the language services will be delivered – e.g. via AM/FM, digital radio, digital television, online and/or podcast.”

How does SBS Radio review its services?

The SBS Radio Services Review process includes the following stages:

14 November to 11 December 2016

Public consultation on the draft language Selection Criteria (closed)

2 March 2017

SBS announces the final language Selection Criteria (finalised)

From 27 June 2017

2016 Census data released from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)

September 2017

SBS planning to announce revised services

End of 2017

SBS planning to launch new services  

The language Selection Criteria are now finalised.

If you have any questions, please click on the frequently asked questions link below. If your question is not included, please email us at radioservicesreview@sbs.com.au.

Please click here for Frequently Asked Questions.

Media Press Release (in English only)