SBS to focus on its special Charter

Following talk last month of an ABC-SBS merger and ongoing public concern that SBS had deviated from its Charter, SBS has announced changes on how it will commission programs so they reflect the special nature of the broadcasting service and the SBS Charter.

Next month, the SBS commissioning team will become two teams, scripted and non-scripted.

The non-scripted team will be responsible for documentaries, food, entertainment and factual programs, while the scripted team will be responsible for drama and comedy.

“The SBS Charter is at the heart of SBS commissioned content and these changes are about ensuring we are well placed to continue our momentum of audience growth and to leverage new opportunities across key genres in scripted and non-scripted content that delivers distinctive, inspiring and entertaining programs for Australian audiences,” said Marshall Heald, Director of SBS TV and Online Content.

John Godfrey, currently SBS Head of Documentaries, has been appointed to Head of Non-Scripted Content. Godfrey who will oversee the non-scripted team, has been responsible for ground-breaking and award-winning documentaries, including First Contact, Struggle Street and Go Back to Where You Came From series 2 and 3.

With Godfrey’s appointment, Joseph Maxwell, currently SBS Commissioning Editor, Documentaries, has been appointed as Head of Documentaries.

The scripted team will be headed up by Sue Masters, currently SBS Executive Producer Drama. Masters, who takes on the role of Head of Scripted Content, comes to the role with an exceptional track record in developing and delivering high quality commissioned content in drama at SBS, including The Family Law, The Principal and Deep Water. Masters formerly worked at TEN and the ABC.

The changes follow the departure of SBS Head of Commissioned Content Alison Sharman who will return to her family in the United Kingdom.

SBS will also be recruiting new Commissioning Editor roles within both the Scripted and Unscripted teams.