The landscape of multicultural broadcasting in Australia underwent a major shift today, as SBS officially shut down its free-to-air linear television channel, SBS WorldWatch (Channel 35).
The decision marks the conclusion of the dedicated multilingual channel’s four-year broadcast run, having first launched on 23 May 2022.
Viewers seeking international news bulletins in languages other than English (LOTE) must transition away from traditional free-to-air broadcast television to the SBS On Demand digital streaming platform.
Under the new digital framework, programs will be accessible immediately after SBS uploads them to the platform’s dedicated news hub, removing the rigid schedules dictated by linear television timelines.
Save Our SBS notes that while the transition provides greater flexibility and a larger volume of content for tech-savvy viewers, it represents a significant behavioural adjustment for older or less digitally connected demographics. These communities have historically relied on free-to-air television as a vital, low-barrier utility for trusted in-language news. The requirement of an internet connection, compatible hardware, and digital literacy to navigate an app presents a sudden hurdle for the very vulnerable groups the broadcaster is chartered to serve.
Recognising this friction, SBS Director of News and Current Affairs, Mandi Wicks, stated, “We recognise this will be a change for some audiences who are accustomed to watching SBS WorldWatch on linear television” and noted commitment to supporting them. SBS has been deploying multilingual guidance across programs ahead of the shutdown.
The migration follows a strategic review citing infrastructure limitations.
Wicks added that moving to digital gives the opportunity to “build on that service, with more international news bulletins and greater flexibility”. The digital ecosystem increases offerings to 49 international broadcasters across 38 languages, providing multiple bulletins daily.
English international bulletins will remain unaffected on the main SBS free-to-air channels and SBS Audio radio services. Viewers can access the SBS WorldWatch portal via https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand or on the SBS OnDemand app.
The ‘WorldWatch’ programming block originally debuted on 24 August 1993, evolving through the SBS World News Channel in June 2002 before becoming Channel 35.
