SBS will launch a new radio schedule from 6 am this morning.
Featuring news and information in more languages and across more platforms than ever before, the new SBS Radio Schedule includes programs in six new languages.
As we reported last year, with the addition of more SBS digital radio channels, listeners will be able to hear more programs for language groups which have grown significantly and a new digital-only channel for 21 languages. The new programming will aoso be available on digital television, online and mobile apps.
It followed the first major review of the SBS Radio Schedule in over 18 years, to rebalance the languages broadcast with the multicultural make-up of Australia, which has changed significantly during that period.
For the first time, SBS will deliver news and information in Malayalam, Dinka, Hmong, Pashto, Swahili and Tigrinya, to provide a service for the people speaking those languages in Australia today.
The number of broadcast hours for existing language programs, such as Mandarin, Cantonese, Hindi and Punjabi, will increase substantially to cater for the rising number of people speaking those languages.
SBS is the world’s most multilingual broadcaster, with an increase from 68 to 74 languages in the new Radio Schedule. All languages on the previous Radio Schedule will be maintained.
Since 2001 there has been a 40% increase in the number of people who speak a language other than English at home. Australia’s Language Other than English (LOTE) community makes-up over four million people or 18 per cent of the population.
SBS Audio and Language Content Director Mandi Wicks says: “SBS Radio is there for all Australians and the new Radio Schedule is about providing audiences with news and information through an Australian lens, while making them feel at home in their language.”
“Language content is at the heart of SBS and there is no other broadcaster in Australia that can deliver audiences rich and engaging news and information in language about the issues affecting them and their communities,” according to SBS Managing Director Michael Ebeid.
“The new Radio Schedule is about ensuring SBS keeps pace with the changing demographics of today’s Australia and delivers on its Charter obligations by better servicing the largest communities with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and offering more services to emerging high-needs communities.”