SBS Radio Services Review

SBS Radio is conducting a public consultation on the criteria it is proposing for the SBS Radio Services Review. We’re calling on audiences, communities and stakeholders to provide feedback on the draft Selection Criteria by Sunday 11 December.

Draft Language Selection Criteria 2016/17

Large Languages Criteria:

population of approximately 25,000* or greater.

High Needs Languages Criteria: (maximum. of 15 languages)

- Threshold requirement - population must be greater than 1,000*

- English language proficiency (weight = 40%)

- Recentness of arrival (weight = 30%)

- Ageing (weight = 15%)

- Household income (weight = 15%)

SBS may also include a sizeable ethnic community if its needs are significant but not adequately captured in the Large Language or High Needs Selection Criteria. Factors which SBS may take into account include:

-  Discrimination/Vilification: where a group is subject to frequent discrimination or vilification in Australia based on race, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin.

- Immediate need: a significant increase in the population of a language group through Australia’s Humanitarian Program.

SBS has committed to regularly reviewing and updating the schedule every five years in conjunction with new Census data to ensure it continues to reflect the needs of communities in Australia today. Regularly updating the schedule enables SBS to better service the largest communities with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and offer services to emerging and high-needs communities.

The criteria will be used, in conjunction with the 2016 Census data, to determine which languages are provided by SBS Radio services. The way in which those services will be delivered will be determined in 2017 by SBS, taking into account changes in audience listening habits, the need to support audience demands for anytime, anywhere news and information via digital platforms and the changing demographics of Australia’s diverse communities.

SBS wants to ensure the process of reviewing the SBS Radio Services is objective, open and transparent. Finalising the selection criteria prior to the release of the Census data allows a framework to be in place to select languages, independent of the actual numbers released in the Census information.

Pleace CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR FEEDBACK on the draft selection criteria for the SBS Radio Services Review.

Click here for Frequently Asked Questions