Special Broadcasting Service

The Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) is one of two government funded Australian public broadcasting radio and television networks, the other being the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). The stated purpose of the SBS is "to provide multilingual and multicultural radio and television services that inform, educate and entertain all Australians and, in doing so, reflect Australia's multicultural society" (SBS FAQ).

Production notes

SBS has been one of the most progressive networks in regards to digital television - it broadcasts a second channel, SBS World News Channel, which as its name suggests is entirely foreign language news broadcasts, and has an electronic program guide (EPG) channel with program schedules, news headlines and nation-wide weather.

Related Topics:
Digital television - Electronic program guide

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SBS uses subtitles in preference to dubbing. These do not interfere with the natural sounds of a movie, so viewers who understand the language can watch with ease. Subtitles are used on most non-English speaking movies; some events, such as the Eurovision Song Contest, are kept as is (without the subtitles). The subtitles usually consist of bold yellow text with a tint of a thin black border on a black background, positioned at the bottom centre of the television screen. This gives the best text legibility on the screen to viewers.

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SBS and Seven came to an agreement to share the broadcasting of the 2004 Olympic Games in Australia, and SBS secured the rights to the 2004 Paralympics, screened in previous years on the ABC.

Related Topics:
Seven - 2004 Olympic Games

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