SBS WorldWatch embraces digital future with move to SBS On Demand
24 August, 2026
Media releases
On 18 September, SBS WorldWatch will transition from a linear television channel to an enhanced digital-only service on SBS On Demand, providing international news in 38 languages from 49 broadcasters around the world. The move gives multilingual Australians more content, greater choice and flexibility in when and how they watch international news, as audiences increasingly shift to digital platforms.
Building on its existing digital service as the linear channel closes, SBS WorldWatch will expand over the coming weeks to include two or more daily bulletins in most languages. This is more content than could be accommodated on a single linear channel, with audiences able to watch bulletins as soon as they become available, rather than waiting for a scheduled broadcast. SBS On Demand also features two 24-hour FAST channels for English-language news - Euronews and France 24.
For many Australians, SBS On Demand is an established destination for the public broadcaster's distinctive content. During SBS's ground-breaking broadcast of the FIFA World Cup 2026 which reached 18.1 million Australians, most watched via SBS On Demand, demonstrating the platform's ability to reach audiences at scale.
SBS Director of News and Current Affairs, Mandi Wicks, said:
SBS WorldWatch plays an important role in connecting Australians with news and perspectives from around the world, in their preferred language. Moving to SBS On Demand gives us the opportunity to build on that service, with more international news bulletins and greater flexibility for audiences to decide when and how they watch.
We recognise this will be a change for some audiences who are accustomed to watching SBS WorldWatch on linear television. We're committed to supporting them through the transition, while continuing to evolve our services for the future.
To help audiences make the transition, SBS is providing multilingual information and guidance through SBS Audio language programs and on SBS WorldWatch channel 35 ahead of the change. Further information can be found at www.sbs.com.au/worldwatch, with personalised support available via the SBS Help Centre.
The SBS WorldWatch - News In-Language hub can be found on the SBS On Demand homepage, where audiences can also search for content in their preferred language. Additional bulletins will be added over the coming weeks.
The full SBS On Demand offering features more than 15,000 hours of local and international programming across more than 60 languages, spanning news and current affairs, documentaries, drama, world movies, entertainment, food, children's content and sport. This includes dedicated language collections, alongside selected English-language programs with subtitles in Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese.
SBS On Demand is a free streaming service for all Australians that can be accessed via the app on Smart TVs, mobiles and tablets, or via the SBS website. The app is free to download from the Apple App Store for iOS here and Google Play for Android here.
SBS also provides locally produced news and community stories in more than 60 languages through SBS Audio's linear radio channels, with this programming also available as podcasts and via SBS On Demand. The SBS Audio linear radio schedule of more than 60 language programs can be viewed here.
The SBS WorldWatch linear television channel 35 will close on Friday 18 September 2026.
-ENDS
For further information and interview requests please contact:
Nicole Jeffery | nicole.jeffery@sbs.com.au | 0439 243 625
For a PDF of this media release, click here.
More from SBS Broadcast
07/10/2026
Statement on the passing of Richard Morecroft
7 October, 2026
Media releases
Statement by SBS Managing Director, Jane Palfreyman
SBS is deeply saddened...
06/10/2026
SBS invites audiences and communities to help shape the future of its language s...
02/10/2026
New SBS podcast How Australia Works helps migrants to navigate Australia's d...
23/09/2026
Koori Knockout returns home exclusively to NITV and SBS On Demand in 2026
11 September, 2026
Media releases
Fans can catch all the live action exclusively ...
17/09/2026
Respected journalist Catalina Fl rez to succeed Anton Enus as SBS World News pre...
09/09/2026
NITV to bring First Nations netball to audiences nationwide
9 September, 2026
Media releases
Every match of the 2026 First Nations Tournament will be live ...
08/09/2026
The Airport Chaplain takes off as SBS's biggest launch of 2026
8 September, 2026
Media releases
1.67 million viewers on National Total TV to date
Best...
01/09/2026
SBS secures exclusive rights to FIFA World Cup 2030
1 September, 2026
Media releases
Major sports rights deal ensures all Australians will be able to view...
01/09/2026
SBS announces the launch of outcomes-based measurement across its network
1 September, 2026
Media releases
New offer sees national broadcaster put outcomes...
01/09/2026
Revealed: The Booster Economy' how $140bn+ in everyday inheritances'...
01/09/2026
SBS census explorer to provide new insights into contemporary Australia
1 September, 2026
Media releases
The 2026 Census Explorer will give marketers new i...
01/09/2026
SBS and oOh!media launch exclusive SBS News content partnership across office, a...
01/09/2026
SBS offers marketers greater reach with extension into outdoor, creator economy ...
01/09/2026
SBS and The Guardian join forces to supersize sustainability challenge for 2027
1 September, 2026
Media releases
SBS Media and Guardian Australia have join...
01/09/2026
SBS goes deeper in 2027 with provocative Australian documentaries, star-studded ...
31/08/2026
Optus commits 3% of consumer brand spend to First Nations media in new landmark ...
24/08/2026
SBS WorldWatch embraces digital future with move to SBS On Demand
24 August, 2026
Media releases
On 18 September, SBS WorldWatch will transition from a lin...
12/08/2026
2026 NATIONAL NAIDOC AWARDS TO BROADCAST ON NITV LIVE AND DIRECT FROM MPARNTWE
12 August, 2026
Media releases
First Nations excellence will be celebrated l...
12/08/2026
More than six million sports fans stay with SBS for Tour de France and Tour de F...
07/08/2026
Opening Statement: Public hearing of the Inquiry into Racism, Hate and Violence ...
04/08/2026
SBS helps Australians understand why every Census counts
4 August, 2026
Media releases
As Australia prepares for the 2026 Census on Tuesday 11 August, SBS ...
30/07/2026
Premiere date revealed for SBS Original drama The Airport Chaplain, starring Hug...
29/07/2026
SBS Appoints Chief Commercial Officer and Director of Marketing and Audiences
29 July, 2026
Media releases
SBS is pleased to announce the appointment of Ni...
23/07/2026
NITV launches new By Mob For Mob series in partnership with NRMA Insurance
23 July, 2026
Media releases
National Indigenous Television (NITV) has launched ...
21/07/2026
SBS scores biggest ever FIFA World Cup Reach as Spain triumph in the final
21 July, 2026
Media releases
Spain v Argentina attracted a Total TV reach of al...
17/07/2026
Legendary presenter Anton Enus to sign off from SBS World News after 27 years wi...
17/07/2026
Millions rise before dawn to watch FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals on SBS
17 July, 2026
Media releases
England v Argentina attracted a Total TV reach of a...
16/07/2026
NITV and SBS bring Australians to the heart of Garma
16 July, 2026
Media releases
The Garma Festival returns from 31 July-3 August, with NITV and SBS deliv...
13/07/2026
Millions tuned in for quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on SBS
13 July, 2026
Media releases
Norway v England attracted a Total TV reach of 3.7 mil...
09/07/2026
SBS statement Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion
9 July, 2026
Media releases
SBS acknowledges the gravity of the matters before the Roy...
08/07/2026
Well over half of Australia have tuned in to watch the FIFA World Cup on SBS
7 July, 2026
Media releases
Australia's Round of 32 match against Egypt a...
08/07/2026
SBS and Koorie Heritage Trust announce three-year partnership to celebrate First...
03/07/2026
Caden Pearson appointed new Commissioning Editor for NITV
3 July, 2026
Media releases
National Indigenous Television (NITV) has strengthened its commitment...
30/06/2026
Statement regarding GetUp Save Our SBS' campaign
30 June, 2026
Media releases
The GetUp Save Our SBS' campaign is an independent initiative. SBS ...
27/06/2026
A record 4.84 million Australians choose SBS as the Socceroos advance at FIFA Wo...
25/06/2026
The Name You Know, The Lineup You'll Love - SBS2 Returns
25 June, 2026
Media releases
SBS Viceland rebrands as SBS2 on Friday 21 August, bringing the c...
22/06/2026
FIFA World Cup 2026 fever grows, as more than one third of Australians tune in ...
16/06/2026
Australians place growing trust in SBS News
16 June, 2026
Media releases
SBS has been recognised as one of Australia's most trusted news providers, ran...
15/06/2026
4.78M AUSSIES TUNE IN FOR SOCCEROOS WIN OVER T RK YE ON SBS
15 June, 2026
Media releases
Match had a Total TV average audience of 3.035 million, with over ...
15/06/2026
SBS Head of Commissioning John Godfrey to depart after 18 years
15 June, 2026
Media releases
SBS Head of Commissioning John Godfrey will depart the broadca...
10/06/2026
Alone Australia Season 4: Meet the Cast
10 June, 2026
Media releases
WATCH THE TRAILER
Smash-hit survival series Alone Australia drops its highly anticipa...
10/06/2026
DEADLY THEN, DEADLY NOW, DEADLY ALWAYS: SBS & NITV IGNITE NAIDOC WEEK 2026 WITH ...
04/06/2026
Is Your Job Making You Work this June?
4 June, 2026
Media releases
SBS Launches the World Cup Watchers' Rights Association to Stand Up For Australians&...
04/06/2026
Statement regarding unauthorised use of SBS logos on third party social content
4 June, 2026
Media releases
SBS has become aware of social media posts in c...
03/06/2026
Clarification: SBS's position on definitions of antisemitism
3 June, 2026
Media releases
Statement by Mandi Wicks, SBS Director of News and Current Aff...
01/06/2026
SBS confirms its broadcast sponsors for FIFA World Cup 2026
1 June, 2026
Media releases
SBS has secured Hyundai, Hisense, Macca's, Rexona, bet365, Com...
28/05/2026
Get fit for the FIFA World Cup 2026 with new SBS On Demand features for the ult...
25/05/2026
SBS announces exclusive TV broadcast schedule for FIFA World Cup 2026
21 May, 2026
Media releases
Luke Wilkshire, Tommy Oar, Andrew Redmayne, Sarah Walsh ...
22/05/2026
Statement regarding 2026 National NAIDOC Lifetime Achievement Award for the late...
SBS WorldWatch embraces digital future with move to SBS On Demand 
