The SBS programming team is responsible for acquiring completed programs for SBS ONE, SBS 2, NITV, World Movies and SBS On Demand.

SBS acquires programs from around the world that contribute to our goals to deepen Australians’ engagement with content that reflects our Charter and grow audiences. Acquired programs must complement the local content produced for Commissioned Content and fit within the established channel briefs and schedule strategies.

Acquisition Assessment Process

Programs are evaluated according to the following criteria:

• The SBS Charter

• Subject matter, including whether SBS has already acquired programs with a similar subject

• Schedule and timeslot requirements

• Quality of the production

• Relevance to SBS viewers

SBS only accepts submissions via email to acquisitions@sbs.com.au 

For us to be able to consider your program, please supply us with the following information:

• Program/series title and duration/s

• Year of production

• A brief synopsis, or links to a trailer or any further useful information online

• Contact details of the producer or distribution company

• A short bio on the producer/writer/director

• Details of any award nominations or film festival exposure

Please note that due to the high volume of content we receive, we are not able to respond to every email. If we are interested in getting a copy of your program for assessment we will contact you to request materials. Please make sure you supply us with up-to-date contact details. Please note we do not accept unsolicited material, and only requested submissions will be considered by our Acquisitions team. We are unable to return any material supplied to us so please keep copies.

Channel Briefs

SBS ONE

Our flagship channel for a mainstream TV audience that embraces and celebrates diversity around the world. We are passionate about the world around us and keen to know more. We want to feed our minds, step outside our comfort zones and experience the world’s best.

Program Criteria:

• Passionate intelligent talent

• Accessible documentaries with everyday relevance

• Drama and comedy with audience buzz and critical acclaim

Genres:

• Documentary (60’): ancient history, event, science, male skewed adventure (series), female skewed history / biography, wildlife (series), ob doc (series), presenter-led history, exploring sexuality

• Food (30’/60’): travel, talent-led

• Drama (60’): male-skewed historic and premium serialised (English language), crime (non-English language)

• Comedy (30’): smart and buzzy (English language)

• Entertainment (30’ / 60’): panel, variety, talent-led (English language)

• Movies: world class star-studded thrillers, dramas and action

SBS 2

Our digital multichannel providing provocative and adventurous programming for viewers 16-39. Engaged, passionate and curious, we want to explore what’s now and what’s next – wherever it might come from.

Program Criteria:

• Cheeky, irreverent and informal

• Provocative, challenging and surprising

• Relevant to, and reflective of, our target audience

• Noisy, buzzy, shareable

Genres:

• Comedy (30’): quirky, distinctive and daring (sitcom, sketch or animated) 

• Entertainment (30’ / 60’): physical game shows, competitive reality or variety (English and non-English language), factual entertainment (science / technology, magic / illusion, adventure, relationships)

• Film (feature): cult and genre (action, thriller, sci-fi, fantasy, horror, schlock), drama and comedy with a strong youth voice (English and non-English language)

• Drama (60’): sci-fi, supernatural and high concept drama with cult appeal (English and non-English language), younger skewed thriller, provocative relationships

• Documentary (60’ / feature): youth-focused ob doc (series), travel / adventure (series), investigation, sexuality

•

NITV

The voice of Australia’s first people that shares our stories, cultures and traditions with all Australians. We inform, entertain and educate all Australians about our cultures, our people, our customs and we celebrate first nations cultures worldwide. We are real, unique, brave, edgy and above all, respectful.

Program Criteria:

• Inform, educate and entertain Indigenous people

• Strengthen the sustainability of Indigenous cultural heritage

• Accelerate the development of the Indigenous media industry

• Secure our (the Indigenous) voice

Genres:

• Children’s Programming – focus on positivity, language, literacy and numeracy

• Lifestyle series

• Feature films – with strong indigenous participation or content

WORLD MOVIES

Exclusively available on the Foxtel Platform, World Movies is Australia’s subscription television home of international film showcasing the best cinema from around the world.

Program Criteria:

• International cinema with movies from over 40 countries in more than 70 languages

• Films that are liberating, provocative, sometimes explicit and sometimes shocking

Genres:

• Risqué sensual content

• Exploitation cinema and films that push boundaries

• Independent film with recognisable faces

• Cinema classics and auteur works

SBS ON DEMAND

Our catch-up and online video channel for audiences wanting to watch SBS programs and movies whenever and wherever they like. We exist to explore and celebrate diversity in all its forms, whenever you want and on whatever device you’d prefer. SBS On Demand offers both catch-up and VOD content - available 24/7 and across 21 different platforms.

Program Criteria:

• Acclaimed art-house and foreign language movies

• Accessible documentaries with everyday relevance 

• Compelling foreign language dramas