SBS On Demand has launched SBS Rewind, marking a significant addition to its digital offerings. This new feature, designed to enhance user engagement, presents a personalised year-end summary of viewers’ streaming habits. It includes details like total minutes watched, most preferred genres, and an interactive global map highlighting the origins of the content viewed.
Matt Hancock, General Manager of SBS On Demand, highlighted the role of SBS Rewind in the company’s digital strategy. “SBS On Demand sits squarely at the forefront of our broader digital transformation strategy. We announced SBS Rewind at our Upfronts event in October and are proud to hit ‘go’ on this new addition today, giving audiences an even richer experience as we continue to develop and enhance the platform,” Hancock stated.
Furthermore, SBS On Demand has seen a significant increase in viewership in 2023, reaching a historic high with over 7.34 billion minutes streamed. This surge is partly attributed to the FIFA World Cup 2022™ broadcast. The platform’s diverse content, including the popular Alone Australia, contributed to its success, garnering a total TV audience of 1.28 million, with 44% online viewership. The British dramedy Rogue Heroes also fared well, attracting a significant audience.
Adding to its diverse range, SBS On Demand now features SBS Chill, a music FAST channel, which has already streamed 1.6 million minutes of music since its launch. This introduction of audio content marks a new venture for the platform, enhancing its appeal to a broader audience.
The app’s high rating of 4.8 stars on the Apple App Store reflects its popularity and user satisfaction in Australia. This rating underscores its position as a leading streaming service in the country.
Chris Tangye, Head of Product for SBS On Demand, shed light on the technological advancements behind the platform. “Underpinning SBS Rewind is SBS On Demand’s new recommendation engine, which offers each user three content recommendations based on their consumption, encouraging deeper exploration of the catalogue. After viewing the recap, users can share an infographic about their total consumption, which is perfect for social media feeds,” said Tangye.
In 2023, SBS On Demand also introduced full High Definition 1080p streaming for live events, starting with the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes. Moreover, an audio description feature is set to launch in early 2024, catering to visually impaired audiences.
SBS On Demand continues to distinguish itself with its extensive content library, available in 95 languages and navigable in seven languages. This unique offering sets it apart from other streaming services in Australia, emphasizing its commitment to diversity and inclusivity in content.
