SBS kicks off a confident slate with the 2026 FIFA World Cup2026, premium drama and distinctive documentaries that go where other networks won't

SBS kicks off a confident slate with the 2026 FIFA World Cup2026 , premium drama and distinctive documentaries that go where other networks won't

3 September, 2025

Media releases

550 hours of exclusive FIFA World Cup 2026 content and dedicated FIFA+ FAST channel with unmatched access, world-class commentary and a trusted team of football experts.

SBS has secured the exclusive FTA rights to the Tour de France Femmes through to 2030.

Launch of three FAST channels on SBS On Demand; Insight, Dateline and The Cook Up with Adam Liaw.

John Safran, Matt Preston, Jelena Dokic, Ruby Rose, Essie Davis, Chrissie Swan, Aaron Pedersen, and Bruce McAvaney lead bold, thought-provoking documentaries with real impact.

SBS's standout hit series Alone Australia returns for a fourth season in its most ambitious location yet; the spectacular and intimidating wilds of the Arctic Circle.

SBS and NITV co-commissions elevate First Nations storytelling with powerful documentary event 2.6 Seconds, the return of Going Places with Ernie Dingo, and audacious drama Reckless starring Tasma Walton and Hunter Page-Lochard.

New SBS Original Drama The Chaplain, and three new series from SBS and Screen Australia's Digital Originals initiative with Fish Boi, Homebodies and Miss Sultanah.

NITV continues to elevate First Nations stories with a powerful line-up of content that speaks to the heart and strength of Community.

SBS remains the top destination for food programming, serving up refreshing bites from Australia and abroad with Rick Stein, Matt Preston, Shane Delia and Lara Lee

SBS today unveiled a powerhouse 2026 line-up that combines the biggest global events with daring homegrown storytelling across its distinctive multiplatform network. From the FIFA World Cup 2026 to fearless documentaries, from bold new Australian drama to food that connects cultures, SBS continues to go where others won't, telling stories that reflect the Australia of today and connect us with the world.

Acting Managing Director, Jane Palfreyman said: Next year will be our biggest year ever. We're delivering a bold content slate that's proudly diverse and deeply engaging - from global formats to bold, original storytelling that Australians won't find anywhere else. In 2026, we'll also feature a FIFA World CupTM like no other - with 104 matches across three countries, it will captivate the nation and bring Australians together as we cheer for the Socceroos and celebrate the world game.

SBS Director of Television, Kathryn Fink said: At SBS, we connect with diverse audiences through a dynamic, multi-channel approach and innovative storytelling. In 2026, we have an exceptional line-up that's sure to entertain, delight, and at times provoke, with a powerful slate including The People Vs Robodebt, the return of Alone Australia, premium Australian dramas The Chaplain and Reckless, andthe return of popular unscripted series like Shaun Micallef's Origin Odyssey, The Hospital: In the Deep End and The Jury. We're also deepening our commitment to Indigenous storytelling, amplifying its presence and prominence, so all Australians can see their stories reflected on screen. We have a clear strategic vision with key content moments throughout the year that spark conversation and connection.

Home to the sporting events that stop the world

In just 282 days, the single largest sporting event in the world, the jewel in the crown of football, kicks off - the FIFA World Cup 2026 . For six weeks, the world will be gripped by football fever, and SBS will do what it does best; deliver inclusive, impactful coverage that celebrates diversity and unites cultures through the beautiful game. Hosted across Canada, Mexico and the USA, spanning 16 cities and featuring a record-breaking 104 matches in a newly expanded 48-team format, SBS will take audiences straight to the heart of North America with unmatched access, world-class commentary and a trusted team of football experts.

As the exclusive broadcaster of the FIFA World Cup 2026TM, SBS will deliver over 550 hours of coverage including every match live in HD, replays, highlights and exclusive pitch-side crosses during the Socceroos' campaign. On SBS On Demand, fans can dive into the tournament their way via a dedicated FIFA World Cup 26TMhub - the ultimate destination for live matches, catch-up, classic moments and rich behind-the-scenes access. SBS Sport will amplify the action across digital and social with bold, engaging storytelling both on and off the pitch, with a sharp focus on the Socceroos. Rounding out the experience is FIFA+, a new FAST channel offering fans around-the-clock FIFA content and global football stories from both the men's and women's games.

Today, SBS is excited to announce the network has secured the exclusive FTArights to the Tour de France Femmes through to 2030. As Australia's undisputed Home of Cycling, SBS will once again deliver the world's most iconic cycling events - free and live to all Australians - including the Tour de France, Tour de France Femmes, La Vuelta a Espa a, and the thunderous charge of the one-day Classics across Europe.

Documentaries that shift the conversation

In 2026, SBS continues to push the envelope when it comes to tackling the big questions and provoke national conversations starting with The People Vs Robodebt which premieres Wednesday 24 September on SBS On Demand. A political thriller at its core, the searing three-part documentary-drama spotlights the people who took on a powerful system in one of Australia's darkest recent chapters. Australia Uncovered returns, with the first documentaries in the strand announced today. Shut Your Big Fat Mouth John Safran! sees the author, documentarian, and satirist dissect a very heated topic - the censorship wars raging across Australia

LINK:	https://www.sbs.com.au/aboutus/2025/09/03/sbs-kicks-off-a-confident-sl...
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