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).

Programming

SBS runs several imported drama and comedy series, including shows produced in languages other than English as well as notably risque material that would not be shown on other broadcast networks in Australia - for instance, South Park, or Queer as Folk. It also screens a broad selection of films from around the world, including everything from French arthouse material to Hong Kong soft-core "erotica". The relatively relaxed attitude to sexuality on SBS gave it the nickname "Sex Before Sleep", or, combined with its soccer focus, "Sex and bloody Soccer". This is not necessarily the case, in earlier hours when shows such as Global Village display the more somewhat traditional aspect of SBS by featuring events from around the world.

Related Topics:
South Park - Queer as Folk - Global Village

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It recently began producing its own local comedy series (of which Pizza and Life Support are examples), characterised by obviously tiny budgets and the preparedness to push the boundaries of acceptable television humor - and, according to some, with considerable success.

Related Topics:
Pizza - Life Support

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One SBS institution is The Movie Show, a movie review show something in the vein of Siskel and Ebert in the United States (but actually predating it). The two presenters of the show, David Stratton and Margaret Pomeranz, "defected" to the ABC in April 2004 to host a new program called At the Movies. The Movie Show continues with four new hosts - Megan Spencer, Jaimie Leonarder, Fenella Kernebone and Marc Fennell.

Related Topics:
The Movie Show - Siskel and Ebert - David Stratton - Margaret Pomeranz - April - 2004 - At the Movies - Megan Spencer - Jaimie Leonarder - Fenella Kernebone - Marc Fennell

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SBS News & Current Affairs

SBS's range of Australian news and current affairs programs include include SBS World News Australia, Toyota World Sport, Dateline, Insight, Living Black and World Watch. It also broadcasts foreign language news 24 hours a day on its second digital channel, SBS World News Channel.

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Sport on SBS

In previous years, sport shown on SBS has been limited to cycling, soccer (football) and a number of other lesser promoted sports. However in recent times, the SBS has also aired other sporting events including some of the 2004 Athens Olympics and the complete 2005 Ashes test series (Cricket).

Related Topics:
2004 Athens Olympics - 2005 Ashes test series (Cricket)

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