SBS On Demand to take consumer experience to next level with introduction of restart, pause and rewind functions

SBS On Demand to take consumer experience to next level with introduction of restart, pause and rewind functions

3 September, 2025

Media releases

The national broadcaster also announced the launch of three new FAST channels with some of SBS's most iconic brands -

The Cook Up with Adam Liaw, Insight and Dateline

SBS Audio to bring podcasts into SBS On Demand and expand video podcast offering

SBS will launch major product developments, including the launch of a restart, pause and rewind function on live television on the SBS On Demand platform.

This will significantly improve the consumer experience in time for the FIFA World Cup 2026 , when SBS will stream all 104 matches from Canada, Mexico and the USA in full HD across both linear TV and SBS On Demand.

We are very proud that SBS On Demand has long been the top-rated Australian streaming app, said Jane Palfreyman, Acting Managing Director SBS. Today we commit to driving that consumer experience to new levels with the introduction of restart, pause and rewind functions for all video streamed on the platform from next year.

We will introduce these features in time for the FIFA World Cup 2026 , along with a commitment to stream all 104 matches in full HD across both linear and digital. This will be a World Cup like no other and we want the viewing experience to reflect this.

SBS to launch three new fast channels for iconic SBS brands

The national broadcaster has also announced that it will launch three dedicated FAST (free ad-supported streaming TV) channels for some of its biggest and most iconic lifestyle and news/current affairs brands.

Insight's Kumi Taguchi, The Cook Up with Adam Liaw, and Dateline's Calliste Weitenberg

The move will see SBS bring dedicated 24-hour TV channels to SBS On Demand for The Cook Up with Adam Liaw, as well as current affairs programs Insight and Dateline.

SBS Director of Television Kathryn Fink said: The Cook Up with Adam Liaw, Insight and Dateline are some of SBS's biggest brands. They have loyal, devoted audiences. We believe the launch of these new channels will help further grow the audience and consumption on the SBS On Demand platform.

Commenting on the launch of the FAST channels for its current affairs flagships, SBS Director of News and Current Affairs Mandi Wicks said: Insight is Australia's only TV forum for surprising conversations about tough and taboo topics. Dateline takes audiences to far flung places, shining a light into dark corners and telling bold and extraordinary stories. We are thrilled to be extending these bingeable brands to SBS On Demand as FAST channels.

SBS Audio to bring podcasts to SBS On Demand and ramp up video podcasting

The public broadcaster also confirmed it would bring podcasting to the SBS On Demand platform in 2026, with an expanded video podcast offering.

Speaking at the SBS 2026 Upfronts, Director of Audio and Language David Hua told the room that SBS - which has been named Podcast Publisher of the Year for the past three years consecutively at the Australian Podcast Awards - would move to integrate its digital audio suite into SBS On Demand.

Last year, SBS told you how we were bringing part of our audio offering into SBS On Demand with live streaming integrated into the platform, said Hua. In 2026 I am delighted to confirm that we are going one step further and bringing a suite of podcasts to SBS On Demand in a move that will continue to drive significant growth.

We are seeing remarkable uplift in video podcasting, and SBS intends to be at the forefront of that growth in Australia.

For a pdf copy of this media release, click here.

LINK:	https://www.sbs.com.au/aboutus/2025/09/03/sbs-on-demand-to-take-consum...
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