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SBS Announces 2025 Programming Line-Up: Key Shows and New Digital Originals

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SBS and NITV Showcase Diverse 2025 Lineup with Local Stories, Cultural Documentaries, and International Dramas

SBS and NITV have outlined their ambitious 2025 content lineup, revealing an array of new documentaries, dramas, and returning international hits to advertisers and media at Sydney Town Hall.

Set against the backdrop of SBS’s 50th anniversary, this year’s announcement includes bold, insightful programming aimed at deepening national conversations around identity, culture, and the stories that define contemporary Australia.

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Reflecting the diversity of the Australian community, the broadcaster is introducing fresh stories and fostering underrepresented voices through its new and returning series. Anchored by distinctive cultural and factual content, SBS’s 2025 programming slate spans documentaries, dramas, quiz shows, international acquisitions, and sports.

Local Documentaries and Cultural Exploration

Spearheading SBS’s documentary offerings is The Idea of Australia, a four-part series hosted by Rachel Griffiths. Produced by Blackfella Films, the series grapples with questions of identity and unity by examining Australia’s foundational myths, significant historical events, and evolving cultural dynamics. Griffiths presents a nuanced look at Australia’s democracy and its relationship with First Nations peoples, reflecting on what it means to be Australian today and imagining a cohesive future.

Another notable factual series, Australia: An Unofficial History, sees screen legend Jacki Weaver delve into a treasure trove of archival government films from the 1970s, sourced from the National Film and Sound Archive. This three-part series, produced by Stranger Than Fiction Films, brings together an impressive roster of commentators, including Benjamin Law, Jan Fran, and Zoe Coombs Marr. The series takes a light-hearted yet insightful journey through the social and political upheavals of the ‘70s, exploring how these moments redefined Australia as a modern nation.

Adding to SBS’s slate of investigative documentaries, The Secret DNA of Us, hosted by Marc Fennell, will map Australia’s evolving identity through genetic analyses of four towns. In each of the four hour-long episodes, Fennell works with experts Rae Johnson and Brad Argent to uncover stories hidden in the genetic make-up of local communities, revealing the unexpected connections and ancestral ties that continue to shape the nation’s multicultural landscape. This Eureka Productions series highlights SBS’s commitment to exploring the nuances of Australian identity.

Unpacking Australia’s Robodebt Scandal

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In Robodebt (working title), SBS takes on one of Australia’s most controversial recent political events. Between 2015 and 2019, the Robodebt scheme sought to recover $1.8 billion from welfare recipients, a move that led to widespread hardship and alleged misuse of data for debt calculation. This three-part series combines factual storytelling with high-end drama, offering a human-centred exploration of how the scandal unfolded and its profound impact on social justice and equity. The series aims to capture the emotional toll on the individuals affected, providing access to victims, whistleblowers, and the journalists who exposed the scheme. With Robodebt, SBS seeks to unpack a dark chapter in Australia’s history with sensitivity and depth.

Returning Australian and International Favourites

Alone Australia, which achieved record-breaking ratings in its second season, is set to return with a new cohort of contestants braving the isolated wilderness of Tasmania’s West Coast Ranges. Season three promises new challenges as participants face extreme weather, abundant wildlife, and the solitude of the region’s rugged terrain. Produced by ITV Studios Australia, the 10-episode survival series immerses viewers in the natural beauty and harsh conditions of Tasmania while testing the resilience of its contestants.

Popular genealogy series Who Do You Think You Are? will also be back for a 16th season, featuring high-profile Australians like Claudia Karvan, Marc Fennell, and Mark Coles Smith. The show follows these personalities as they trace their family histories, often uncovering hidden narratives and unexpected ancestral ties.

Additionally, SBS confirmed the return of The Handmaid’s Tale for its sixth and final season. This adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel has captivated audiences for five seasons and will continue to explore the fictional society of Gilead. Elisabeth Moss and the principal cast return to conclude the series, which has sparked discussions about gender and power since its inception.

NITV: Cultural Programming and Indigenous Storytelling

NITV will continue to champion Indigenous perspectives and storytelling through its slate of 2025 programs. New series include Big Backyard Quiz, an interactive quiz show celebrating Indigenous knowledge, Journey Home: David Gulpilil, a tribute to the iconic actor, and Dreaming Big, which profiles Indigenous Australians achieving remarkable milestones. Our Medicine explores traditional and contemporary Indigenous medical practices, showcasing the rich heritage and knowledge systems of First Nations communities.

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NITV also confirmed that it will co-commission 2.6 Seconds, a four-part documentary series exploring a fatal police shooting in central Australia. The show examines the impact of the incident on the families involved and the broader conversation around justice and reconciliation. Produced by Blackfella Films, this series highlights NITV’s dedication to truth-telling and Indigenous-led storytelling.

SBS Digital Originals and Local Drama Initiatives

On the digital front, SBS will debut three original dramas—Moonbird, Warm Props, and Moni—which will air on NITV or SBS VICELAND. These productions expand the network’s commitment to showcasing diverse local talent and unique voices, providing digital-first content tailored for younger audiences and underrepresented communities. Notably, the primary SBS channel has not confirmed a flagship local drama for 2025, signalling a possible shift in content strategy towards digital and multi-platform formats.

International Series: A Range of Acquisitions

Sherlock & Daughter, starring David Thewlis and Dougray Scott, is among the new international acquisitions that promise to attract audiences. In this fresh take on the detective genre, a young woman travels to London to investigate her mother’s murder and learns her estranged father is none other than Sherlock Holmes. Other acquisitions include Virdee, a crime drama about a British Sikh detective navigating family and community tensions, and Smilla’s Sense of Snow, a thriller set against the stark landscapes of Greenland.

Additionally, Playing Nice, based on the J.P. Delaney novel, and Daddy Issues, a BBC comedy starring Aimee Lou Wood and David Morrissey, add further variety. From gritty mysteries to dark humour, these international titles strengthen SBS’s reputation for offering global stories with broad appeal.

Sports Coverage and Special Events

As Australia’s home for cycling, SBS will continue its coverage of premier cycling events, including the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and the newly introduced Australian ProVelo Super League. Additionally, SBS will broadcast the FIFA World Cup 2026 South American qualifiers, featuring matches from powerhouse teams across CONMEBOL. Beyond football and cycling, the network offers extensive coverage of athletics, volleyball, sailing, and motorsport, reflecting its commitment to a diverse sports lineup.

SBS Leadership on Multiculturalism and Innovation

James Taylor, SBS Managing Director, underscored the network’s evolution and its ongoing mission to reflect Australia’s multicultural identity:

SBS stands alone with its long history of truly representing Australia. As SBS prepares to mark this 50th milestone next year and look to the next 50, we will continue to lead the way in being a media network for all Australians—through storytelling that explores and reflects contemporary Australia, through digital innovation, and through our commitment to sustainability.”

Kathryn Fink, Director of Television, echoed these sentiments, highlighting SBS’s distinctive approach. “Our success is underpinned by our unique offering, with SBS On Demand as the linchpin of our network,” she said.

“In 2025, our content slate will inform and entertain, with landmark documentaries and returning hits like Alone Australia, The Handmaid’s Tale, and Rogue Heroes. SBS will continue to go places other networks won’t, to ignite important conversations that challenge, move, and inspire all Australians.”

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Kevin Perry
Kevin Perryhttps://perryexcav.com/
Senior Editor and Co-Owner of the TV Blackbox website, Kevin Perry is an experienced media commentator focused on TV Production, Consumer Tech, SVOD & Sports Broadcasting. Media enquiries please Call or Text 0428-275-111
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