SBS has launched SBS WorldWatch, a new free-to-air multilingual news channel. The dedicated 24-hour channel features news bulletins from international broadcasters in more than 35 languages and is home to SBS’s Arabic and Mandarin television news bulletins – SBS عربي News and SBS 中文 News.
The launch of the channel builds on SBS’ expanding range of multilingual services for audiences across TV, radio and digital platforms.
James Taylor managing director, SBS, said: “Our multilingual strategy sits at the heart of SBS and we are very excited to extend our offering with the launch of the SBS WorldWatch channel today, which sees us further expand our in-language news bulletins for people whose preferred language may not be English.
“From today our Mandarin and Arabic news programs, which we soft launched on SBS On Demand earlier this year, will have a prime-time home on the SBS WorldWatch channel – a very real demonstration of how we are delivering on our Charter in providing both local and international news to these communities.”
SBS WorldWatch broadcasts international news services from 30 countries – bringing Australians different perspectives from around the globe, and enabling culturally and linguistically diverse communities to catch up on world news in their preferred language.
Produced by two dedicated teams of bilingual journalists and broadcast in prime time, SBS’ new locally produced half hour Arabic and Mandarin television news bulletins – SBS عربي News and SBS 中文 News – provide impartial coverage, insightful context and balanced analysis of the major national and international stories, in language, every weeknight.
SBS director of news and current affairs, Mandi Wicks, said the launch of SBS WorldWatch is a further demonstration of SBS’ commitment to meeting the needs of a culturally and linguistically diverse Australia.
“SBS is uniquely placed to reach and engage the many Australians who speak a language other than English, and we are thrilled to be evolving and enhancing our offering with the launch of SBS WorldWatch. It is exciting to be increasing our commitment to more SBS-produced multilingual news through the Arabic and Mandarin bulletins, ensuring access to relevant and current news for two of Australia’s largest and fastest growing language communities.”
Brett Elliott, managing director of Government at UM, the Australian Government’s master media agency said “Communicating to Australia’s multicultural communities is a high priority for UM and particularly our government clients. Being inclusive by providing all Australians with essential information is key to helping build social cohesion and community harmony.”
“We are always looking for more ways to communicate and engage with Australia’s diverse population. A free-to-air multilingual news channel on SBS, supporting more languages than previously, is a move that UM welcome.”
Responding to a question from Mediaweek at a press briefing, Adam Sadler, SBS’ director of media sales spoke about how WorldWatch fits within SBS’s offering, as well as what the early feedback has been like.
“Commercially, we see this as really complementary to our existing portfolio. I think it really highlights a unique place in the Australian media landscape.
“We have had a soft launch over the past couple of weeks, and the interest has been higher than my expectations, which is great. I’m really pleased with the feedback we’ve received from the market, and also from specific clients.”
Ali Bahnasawy (SBS عربي News), Mandi Wicks, and Rena Li (SBS 中文 News)
SBS WorldWatch expands SBS’s commitment to providing comprehensive news and information across its network – in English through SBS World News, and in more than 60 languages across SBS Radio services, podcasting, and digital platforms – and the multilingual services the network has been delivering to Australians for more than 45 years.
SBS WorldWatch is available on free-to-air television (channel 35) and on SBS On Demand from May 23.
SBS WorldWatch is the network’s sixth free-to-air channel joining SBS, National Indigenous Television (NITV), SBS VICELAND, SBS Food and SBS World Movies.