Focus on the BIG picture.
Wednesday, Jun 18, 2025
Outside the box.
SBS Celebrates 50 Years: A Milestone for Australia's Multicultural Broadcasting
Founded in 1975, SBS has evolved from two radio stations into a diverse media organization, promoting multiculturalism and inclusivity across Australia.
In 1975, Australia witnessed the inception of the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS), with two radio stations: 2EA in Sydney and 3EA in Melbourne.
These stations commenced broadcasts in multiple languages, reflecting Australia's multicultural fabric with the first transmission in Greek.
SBS has since emerged as a pivotal element of Australia's media landscape, celebrating diversity and giving voice to various ethnic communities.
SBS was established as part of a broader vision by the Whitlam government, which emphasized multiculturalism as an essential facet of Australian identity, later endorsed and expanded by the Fraser government.
Both past and present leadership within SBS, including Managing Director James Taylor, underscore the organization’s commitment to fostering an inclusive environment that resonates with all Australians, including Indigenous and newly arrived communities.
Domenico Gentile, a journalist with SBS’s Italian program since 1977, recounts the early days when broadcasts aimed to connect ethnic groups rather than segregate them.
With a mix of news and community information, these programs played a significant role in unifying various cultural groups in Australia.
Gentile notes the passionate following of football among the audience, illustrating how sports became an integral part of the broadcasts.
As SBS's viewer base expanded, so did its offerings.
The television branch was launched in 1980, and now the organization operates multiple platforms, including six television channels—SBS, NITV, SBS Viceland, SBS Food, SBS World Movies, and SBS World Watch—along with its digital service, SBS On Demand.
These advancements have positioned SBS as a trusted news outlet, recognized for its impartiality and commitment to providing diverse perspectives, resulting in accolades such as being named podcaster of the year for three consecutive years.
NITV joined SBS in 2012, enhancing the coverage of Indigenous stories in Australia.
This initiative has aimed to illuminate the narratives of First Nations peoples, appealing to a growing audience eager to learn about Australia's historical context in relation to its Indigenous population.
Natalie Ahmat, a presenter and Head of Indigenous News and Current Affairs at SBS, emphasizes the importance of these stories for multicultural audiences, bridging gaps and fostering understanding.
SBS Audio now broadcasts in over 60 languages, constantly adapting to the needs of the Australian population.
Recent additions, such as SBS Malay in 2023, were created to support the influx of younger Malaysian migrants seeking better opportunities in Australia, demonstrating the channel’s responsiveness to community needs.
Looking ahead, SBS is preparing to cover significant events, including the FIFA Men's World Cup in 2025, promising exclusive content across its platforms.
Additionally, SBS is pursuing a government business case to establish a production presence in Western Sydney, aiming to further enrich Australia’s media output and engage with emerging talent in this dynamic region.
SBS’s journey over the past 50 years underscores its role as not just a broadcaster, but as a catalyst for social cohesion, contributing to an inclusive society that celebrates diversity.
The organization continues to shape its offerings, ensuring all Australians feel represented and connected in the narratives that reflect the country’s multicultural reality.
These stations commenced broadcasts in multiple languages, reflecting Australia's multicultural fabric with the first transmission in Greek.
SBS has since emerged as a pivotal element of Australia's media landscape, celebrating diversity and giving voice to various ethnic communities.
SBS was established as part of a broader vision by the Whitlam government, which emphasized multiculturalism as an essential facet of Australian identity, later endorsed and expanded by the Fraser government.
Both past and present leadership within SBS, including Managing Director James Taylor, underscore the organization’s commitment to fostering an inclusive environment that resonates with all Australians, including Indigenous and newly arrived communities.
Domenico Gentile, a journalist with SBS’s Italian program since 1977, recounts the early days when broadcasts aimed to connect ethnic groups rather than segregate them.
With a mix of news and community information, these programs played a significant role in unifying various cultural groups in Australia.
Gentile notes the passionate following of football among the audience, illustrating how sports became an integral part of the broadcasts.
As SBS's viewer base expanded, so did its offerings.
The television branch was launched in 1980, and now the organization operates multiple platforms, including six television channels—SBS, NITV, SBS Viceland, SBS Food, SBS World Movies, and SBS World Watch—along with its digital service, SBS On Demand.
These advancements have positioned SBS as a trusted news outlet, recognized for its impartiality and commitment to providing diverse perspectives, resulting in accolades such as being named podcaster of the year for three consecutive years.
NITV joined SBS in 2012, enhancing the coverage of Indigenous stories in Australia.
This initiative has aimed to illuminate the narratives of First Nations peoples, appealing to a growing audience eager to learn about Australia's historical context in relation to its Indigenous population.
Natalie Ahmat, a presenter and Head of Indigenous News and Current Affairs at SBS, emphasizes the importance of these stories for multicultural audiences, bridging gaps and fostering understanding.
SBS Audio now broadcasts in over 60 languages, constantly adapting to the needs of the Australian population.
Recent additions, such as SBS Malay in 2023, were created to support the influx of younger Malaysian migrants seeking better opportunities in Australia, demonstrating the channel’s responsiveness to community needs.
Looking ahead, SBS is preparing to cover significant events, including the FIFA Men's World Cup in 2025, promising exclusive content across its platforms.
Additionally, SBS is pursuing a government business case to establish a production presence in Western Sydney, aiming to further enrich Australia’s media output and engage with emerging talent in this dynamic region.
SBS’s journey over the past 50 years underscores its role as not just a broadcaster, but as a catalyst for social cohesion, contributing to an inclusive society that celebrates diversity.
The organization continues to shape its offerings, ensuring all Australians feel represented and connected in the narratives that reflect the country’s multicultural reality.
