Explore Australia and discover the world on SBS in 2017
Tuesday 18 July 2017
In 2017, SBS is continuing to explore the diversity of Australia and the world with a distinctive line-up of programs across the network.
Powerful storytelling, surprising perspectives, delicious discoveries and inspiring moments will feature across new drama, documentary, food and sport programming over the coming months, demonstrating SBS’s commitment to providing Australians with unique programming encouraging greater understanding, challenging perceptions and celebrating diversity.
Marshall Heald, SBS Director of TV and Online Content, said: “Today, nearly half of all Australians are either born overseas or have at least one parent born overseas, and 21 per cent of us speak a language other than English at home. We’re an increasingly diverse and culturally complex nation, and SBS’s role in helping Australians understand and appreciate difference has never been more important.
“This year SBS is continuing to tell stories of contemporary multicultural Australia and tackle issues in ways that inspire, challenge and bring the nation together. Our objective is to make a positive contribution towards a healthier and more united Australian society through incredible storytelling, and over the coming months local commissions that go to the heart of our Charter, including compelling documentary series Look Me In The Eye, new Australian drama in Sunshine and powerful Indigenous storytelling with NITV’s You Are Here collection, will be testament to that.
“We’re also looking forward to bringing the US Tennis Open back to Australians free-to-air, offering a stellar line up of world class drama from across the globe on TV and online via SBS On Demand, dishing up delicious new food series’ with some of Australia’s favourite foodie faces, as well as exploring global cultures for younger audiences on SBS VICELAND. There’s a lot more to come on SBS in 2017.”
Alongside new programming, SBS continues its highly regarded and trusted news, current affairs, and unique radio language services which make SBS the most multilingual broadcaster in the world.
SBS also continues its focus on promoting diversity beyond the airwaves. SBS Radio’s National Languages Competition launches 24 July and encourages students of all ages from across Australia to share their experience of learning a language. SBS will also continue to champion diversity off screen through its Diversity Talent Escalator scheme. Launched in November 2016 in partnership with seven of Australia’s screen agencies, the co-funded initiative aims to increase representation of Australia’s diverse communities within the television production sector and SBS drama series Sunshine features one of the first participants of the program as a member of the production team.
ENDS
UPCOMING IN 2017
DOCUMENTARY
Look Me In The Eye – SBS
TX: Starts 6 September 2017
A social experiment based on the studies of neuroscientists, this documentary series hosted by Ray Martin, explores what happens when two estranged people come face to face — without conversation — to look each other in the eye. Made up of six one-hour episodes, Look Me In The Eye features Australians from a wide range of backgrounds who are genuinely looking to reconnect with someone in their life. Each of those seeking to reconnect has an unresolved conflict, or has drifted apart from a family member, friend or colleague. When all other attempts have failed, it’s time to try something different.
The Obesity Myth – SBS
TX: September 2017
The Obesity Myth is a documentary series that follows the struggles of morbidly obese patients and their families as they go through the weight loss program at Melbourne’s Austin Health. With almost two-thirds* of Australian adults tipping the scales as overweight or obese, The Obesity Myth will break down barriers to social cohesion by challenging commonly held views of obesity. The Doctors at Austin Health are taking a different approach by treating obesity as a chronic genetic disease. Patients are told, often for the first time in their life, their weight problems are not their fault, but a result of a genetic predisposition. The Austin’s treatment regimen, which is a last resort for many patients who are at risk of early death due to their weight, uses a combination of diet, medication and bariatric surgery to transform bodies and lives. *http://www.aihw.gov.au/overweight-and-obesity/
Secrets of our Cities – SBS
TX: September 2017
Hidden in our suburbs lies the true face of our immigration nation. How did we get here? What shaped our cities? What secrets lie within them? Presented by Roy & HG’s Greig Pickhaver, the series will uncover the buried stories of hope, new beginnings, success and the tales of hardship, tragedy and despair lurking in the streets of our suburbs. With major investment from Screenwest and produced by Joined Up Films for SBS.
The Ghan – SBS
TX: December 2017
The Ghan is an innovative documentary that takes audiences on an immersive journey on Australia’s most iconic passenger train. Australia’s first ‘slow TV’ program will spend a number of hours travelling on the famous train through the heart of Australia from Adelaide to Darwin. The Ghan also explores the contributions of the transcontinental line to the foundation of modern multicultural Australia. Using contemporary graphics alongside archival imagery, audiences will learn the story of how the construction of the ‘Ghan line’, the subsequent development of central Australia and the growth of Darwin, Alice Springs and Port Augusta can be attributed to local Indigenous communities and early immigrants.
Struggle Street – SBS
TX: Coming in 2017
Today nearly three million people in Australia live below the poverty line. SBS’s observational documentary series gives a voice to the many Australians doing it tough, helping all of us to better understand complex issues of social and economic hardship. Through honest and compassionate accounts of people and communities, the series will give people the opportunity to share their stories of resilience and community spirit with all Australians. With major investment from Screen Australia and the assistance of Film Victoria and produced by Keo Films for SBS.
You Are Here — NITV and SBS
TX: Starts 8.30pm, 23 July 2017
You Are Here, a series of powerful documentaries premiering on NITV and SBS. Presented by Miranda Tapsell, You Are Here explores the place of Indigenous people in Australia today. Included in the series are Warwick Thornton’s We Don’t Need a Map, Erica Glynn’s In My Own Words, Tyson Mowarin’s Connection to Country and Trisha Morton-Thomas’ Occupation Native, which all capture moments in time that have the power to shape our history. From national issues, to personal battles and triumphs, each story inspires a sense of place and allows viewers to discover new perspectives on the Australian spirit through Indigenous storytelling. Commissioned under NITV and Screen Australia’s Moment in History initiative, with funding support from Screen West, Create NSW and Screen Territory
WIK VS QUEENSLAND – NITV
TX: December 2017
Wik vs Queensland is a one-hour documentary for NITV that takes audiences back to one of the most significant judgments and tumultuous political periods in Australia’s history. On December 23, 1996, the High Court of Australia – in a 4/3 decision – granted native title to the Wik People in a landmark decision Wik Peoples vs The State of Queensland.
Earth Works — SBS VICELAND
TX: 7.40pm, from Saturday 22 July 2017
Celebrating global sustainability through musical expeditions, Earthworks is a new series that combines inspiring artists with stunning natural environments to connect music and nature in its purest form. Features Miguel, Animal Collective and Local Natives.
Motherboard — SBS VICELAND
TX: 8pm, Wednesday 26 July 2017
New technologies, cultures, and discoveries are constantly reshaping our planet. Whether it’s on the ground or on the web, documentary series Motherboard travels the world to uncover the stories that will define what’s coming next and how it’s happening faster than ever before.
Rise — SBS VICELAND
TX: 9.35pm, Thursday 27 July 2017
At the frontline of Indigenous resistance, Sarain Carson-Fox travels to Indigenous communities across the Americas to meet people in this series who are protecting their homelands and rising up against colonisation.
States of Undress (season two) — SBS VICELAND
TX: 8.30pm, Thursday 7 September 2017
Hailey Gates returns to explore global fashion and issues the industry often ignores, showing viewers what the world wears, and why.
DRAMA
SUNSHINE — NEW AUSTRALIAN DRAMA – SBS
TX: October 2017
Sunshine is a vibrant, kinetic and compelling high-stakes fictional crime drama that explores a world of contrasts – truth and reconstruction, past and present, hope and heartbreak — felt by those forging a new life in a foreign land. Based in Melbourne’s outer-west Sunshine and its surrounds, the story follows Jacob Garang – a young, aspiring South Sudanese-Australian basketballer played by new on-screen talent Wally Elnour. Garang is on the cusp of being picked up by scouts for the US College league when he gets caught up in a police investigation involving a teenage girl from one of Melbourne’s affluent suburbs.
Anthony LaPaglia and Melanie Lynskey star alongside an outstanding South Sudanese Australian cast being seen for the very first time on Australian TV. Sunshine is produced by Essential Media for SBS with major investment from Screen Australia and the assistance of Film Victoria.
The Good Fight – SBS
TX: Starts 8.30pm, Wednesday 2 August 2017
Picking up one year after the events of the final episode of The Good Wife, an enormous financial scam has destroyed the reputation of a young lawyer, Maia Rindell (Rose Leslie), while simultaneously wiping out her mentor and godmother Diane Lockhart’s (Christine Baranski) savings. Forced out of Lockhart & Lee, they join Lucca Quinn (Cush Jumbo) at one of Chicago’s preeminent law firms. Each week, The Good Fight captures stories inspired by real events, covering terrorism, cyber bullying, censorship, hate speech and fake news litigated by Chicago’s leading African American law firm.
Riviera – SBS
TX: October 2017
Slick ten-part drama series Riviera centers on a young, recently married woman (Julia Stiles) whose blissful life of Mediterranean luxury is torn apart when her billionaire husband (Anthony LaPaglia) is killed in a yacht explosion. Beneath the postcard-perfect luxe, immaculate, glamour of the Cote d’Azur on the French Riviera lies a life tainted with dark secrets, dishonesty, crime, double crossing and maybe even murder.
What Would Diplo Do? — SBS VICELAND
TX: 8.30pm, Tuesday 8 August 2017
In a nod to mockumentaries everywhere, James Van Der Beek plays a fictional version of DJ superstar Diplo in a collection of parables about life as told through the eyes of a guy who can bring 60,000 people to their feet… but kind of sucks one-on-one.
The Handmaid’s Tale — SBS ON DEMAND
Series one available now
The highly anticipated adaptation of acclaimed author Margaret Atwood’s award-winning novel The Handmaid’s Tale, from MGM Television, made its Australian premiere exclusively on SBS On Demand, with the full series available to stream from Thursday, 6 July. The ten-part series is the story of life in the dystopia of Gilead, a totalitarian society in what was formerly part of the United States. Facing environmental disasters and a plunging birth-rate, Gilead is ruled by a twisted fundamentalist regime that treats women as property of the state. As one of the few remaining fertile women, Offred (Elisabeth Moss) is a Handmaid in the Commander’s household, one of the caste of women forced into sexual servitude as a last desperate attempt to repopulate a devastated world.
Cardinal — SBS ON DEMAND
Available from 13 July 2017
Cardinal is a Canadian crime drama series, adapted from Giles Blunt’s award-winning mystery novel Forty Words for Sorrow. The series stars Billy Campbell as John Cardinal and Karine Vanasse as Lise Delorme, detectives investigating the murder of a young girl. (Canada)
Fortitude (seasons one and two) — SBS ON DEMAND
Available 10 August 2017
Fortitude is a town in the Arctic that is unlike any other place on Earth. Surrounded by the picturesque polar landscape and filled with residents who form a tight-knit community, the town has never been the site of a violent crime. That changes, though, when a research scientist is killed, which leads to an investigation that prompts police officers to suspect and mistrust one another.
Ouro: Amazon Gold — SBS ON DEMAND
Available 17 August 2017
Vincent, a 20-year old geology student from Paris, travels deep into the Amazonian jungles of French Guyana for an internship at a gold mining company. Taken under the wing of local gold lord Antoine Serra, Vincent quickly falls into the much more lucrative — and more dangerous — world of gold trafficking. (France)
Berlin Station — SBS ON DEMAND
Available from 7 September 2017
The series follows CIA agent Daniel Miller who has just arrived at the CIA station in Berlin, Germany. Miller has a clandestine mission: to uncover the source of a leak and find out who has supplied information to a whistle-blower named Thomas Shaw.
Mama’s Angel — SBS ON DEMAND
Available 12 October 2017
A mother’s world is shattered when she discovers the body of her young son under a desecrated war memorial in a wealthy Tel Aviv suburb. Mama’s Angel follows the lives of those affected as the ensuing police investigation unfolds. (Israel)
Some of SBS’s favourite dramas from around world return in 2017, including Bosch (season three), Vikings (season five), Outlander (season two) and Versailles (season two).
FOOD
Gourmet Farmer: Fat Pig Kitchen – SBS
TX: 7.30pm, Thursday 3 August 2017
Change is afoot on Fat Pig Farm. The architects have been called in, a business plan formed and Matthew Evans is about to go full circle — from reviewing restaurants to building his own. The stakes have never been higher… When the doors are flung open of his farm-to-table restaurant Fat Pig Kitchen, Matthew will serve up only what he grows and rears on his own farm and neighbouring communities. Food critic turned farmer turned restaurateur…how hard can it be? Produced by Essential Media for SBS.
Food Safari Earth – SBS
TX: October 2017
Maeve O’Meara returns with Food Safari Earth, a glorious fresh exploration of all the bounty of the earth. Filmed across the four seasons and with access to commercial and home gardens, Food Safari Earth will explore vegetables at their absolute best, some with the dew fresh from picking. From the early history of man, vegetables, fruits and grains have been the major part of the human diet; meat, whether hunted or herded, being a special occasion ingredient. There is no doubt Food Safari Earth captures the zeitgeist. Worldwide there is a move towards meatless meals to explore more vegetable-based eating for environmental, religious, health benefits and simply for the pure taste. Produced by Kismet Productions for SBS.
Food Lab by Ben Milbourne — Food Network
TX: November 2017
Food Lab by Ben Milbourne is a series that combines food, fun, great locations and empowers viewers to become better cooks. Each episode is set between Ben’s newly remodelled kitchen, on the road in stunning Tasmania visiting farmers, schools and markets, and in the lab with Ben’s mate, food science nerd Joel Gilmore. The series will showcase beautiful local produce alongside fascinating science behind cooking and feature many simple, tasty recipes for viewers to create, and experiment with, at home.
Huang’s World season two — SBS VICELAND
TX: October 2017
The world’s only Human Panda, Eddie Huang, goes on a hilarious journey exploring race, identity, multiculturalism, and his irritable bowel syndrome through food.
SPORT
Tour de France – SBS
TX: Throughout July 2017
SBS in July is all about the Tour de France, as Australia tunes in to the spectacle and drama that is the world’s biggest cycling race. For the first time, every stage of the 2017 Tour de France has been available in full on SBS digital platforms – Cycling Central online, and the Ã
 KODA Tour Tracker App. From the first pedal stroke at start line to the finish line and podium presentations, audiences have access to more race coverage than ever before. The Tour de France 2017 is hosted by SBS’s Michael Tomalaris and for the first time ever an all-Australian commentary team of Robbie McEwen and Matt Keenan.
US Tennis Open – SBS
TX: Starts 6 September 2017
In a partnership with ESPN, SBS’s US Open coverage will commence during the quarter finals stage. Played on hard courts in Queens, New York, the US Open is the final of the four annual tennis majors, wrapping up the year for the major tournaments. SBS will broadcast some of the biggest matches, live and free on SBS, SBS HD, as well as streamed live online.
Premier League – SBS
TX: Returns Saturdays from 12 August 2017
The biggest football league in the world returns to the home of international football, SBS, next month. SBS’s exclusive free-to-air coverage of first-class games will be broadcast live every Saturday night from 12 August. Premier League live coverage is hosted by SBS’s football reporter Lucy Zelic and award-winning football analyst, former Crystal Palace midfielder, Craig Foster. SBS will continue to show one live match each week across SBS and SBS HD, along with weekly highlights on The World Game, Mondays at 11.00pm on SBS and SBS HD.
NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS
Insight – SBS
TX: Tuesdays, 8.30pm
Insight is SBS’s weekly current affairs forum that explores challenging issues through the stories of Australians. Hosted by Jenny Brockie…
Dateline – SBS
TX: Tuesdays, 9.30pm
Dateline is an award-winning international documentary series with a current affairs backbone. Every week, Dateline reports from different parts of the world to share half-hour stories about family, social injustice, identity, tragedy, redemption and survival. Dateline journalists scour the world for the special characters to bring audiences a world of daring stories. Dateline’s investigations into the big and lesser-known international stories, continues to deliver compelling viewing.
SBS World News
TX: Daily, 6.30pm
SBS World News is SBS’s primetime news program and must-watch television bulletin for international news with a domestic focus that affects Australians.
Small Business Secrets – SBS
TX: Sundays, 5pm
Small Business Secrets joined the news and current affairs stable in July. Hosted by SBS Finance Editor and World News presenter Ricardo Goncalves, this weekly magazine-style factual program showcases the contribution and creativity of Australian small business owners and innovators playing a vital role in Australia’s economic growth, particularly those established by migrant, refugee and Indigenous entrepreneurs. The program uses case studies to offer tips and insights into the roller-coaster of conceiving and running a small business in Australia.
NITV News – NITV
TX: Weeknights, 7.25pm
NITV News features the rich diversity of contemporary life within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, broadening and redefining the news and current affairs landscape. NITV News is hosted by Natalie Ahmat, Kris Flanders and Ryan Liddle.
The Point — NITV
TX: Weeknights, 9pm
The Point combines original journalism, agenda setting interviews, considered analysis and delivers a daily wrap-up of the stories and issues that matter to First Australians. NITV veterans Karla Grant, Natalie Ahmat and Ryan Liddle are joined by leading digital journalists Rae Johnston and Allan Clarke and offer a unique Indigenous approach to news and current affairs.
The Feed — SBS VICELAND
TX: Weeknights, 7.30pm
SBS’s award-winning news and culture program The Feed brings engaged television and online audiences the stories and investigations that matter in politics, entertainment, science, technology, media and sexuality, providing analysis and comment from a uniquely multicultural perspective. Hosted by Marc Fennell and Jan Fran, with reporters Patrick Abboud and Laura Murphy-Oates and satire from comedic talent Michael Hing and Mark Humphries, The Feed offers young Australians a distinct mix of news, satire, live interviews and in-depth reporting.
SBS News Census Explorer Tool
TX: Always on via sbs.com.au/news
SBS News has introduced an innovative interactive tool by compiling data from the 2016 Census for Australians to explore the results and findings of the recently released census data by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The SBS Census Explorer tool allows users to go behind the statistics to learn more about who they are and where they’re heading as one of the most multicultural countries in the world.
ENTERTAINMENT
SBS Pop Asia — SBS VICELAND
TX: Sundays, 9am
Hosted by Andy Trieu, SBS PopAsia is Australia’s number one destination for all things Asian pop. With exclusive and never-before seen interviews with the hottest Asian celebrities, the latest music videos fast-tracked from Asia, updates on events and activities in Australia and non-stop pop from the biggest Asian sensations. Fans can catch up on SBS On Demand and accompanying 24/7 digital radio channel and podcasts, which boasts big-name hosts like, Australian K-Pop star Kevin Kim, Youtube celebrity, comedian and actor MyChonny, and Simon & Martina from Eat Your Kimchi.
If You Are the One — SBS VICELAND
TX: Sundays
Cult-hit Chinese dating show If You Are the One is about to get a makeover for four special episodes throughout July on SBS VICELAND. The major role reversal gives women a chance to bare their hearts in front of 24 eligible bachelors, and the men get an opportunity to join the notoriously hilarious and witty dating panel in front of a live audience. One woman will be front-and-centre before a panel of 24 single (and incredibly well-dressed) men as she goes through the gruelling process of ‘seduction’. No quirky personality trait will be left uncovered.
SBS Radio
National Languages Competition 2017
Launches 24 July, closes 1 September 2017
Nearly 1.3 million people have migrated to Australia during the past five years, with a substantial increase in the number of people who speak a language other than English at home. Reflecting on Australia’s growing multicultural society, SBS hopes to inspire young minds by contributing to language retention with the nationwide competition.
To celebrate a love of learning languages, the SBS National Languages Competition is back for 2017 and it is bigger and better. In its inaugural year, the competition received close to 20,000 entries in partnership with the Community Languages Association (CLA) and with participation only from CLA students. This year, the nationwide initiative is open to all school students across Australia, with students who are learning a language other than English. Young Australians, aged four to 18 years, can enter the SBS National Languages Competition 2017 online by going to sbs.com.au/NLC17. The competition will be live from 9:00am on Monday 24 July, 2017 until midnight on Friday 1 September, 2017.
SBS Radio’s Settlement Guide
SBS Radio provides an invaluable service to migrant communities by delivering balanced and impartial multilingual news and information. To meet the needs of new migrants and emerging communities, SBS produces a weekly ‘how to’ guide on setting up life in Australia.
Available in 30 languages, SBS Radio’s Settlement Guide is a weekly series of audio and digital packages designed to assist multicultural communities to learn about life in Australia.
Drawing on expert advice and tips from service providers, each week the guide focuses on a facet of daily Australian life that new migrants and emerging communities might find unfamiliar – from how to vote or lodge a tax return to guides on water and fire safety, healthcare and housing.