NITV and SBS bring Australians to the heart of Garma Festival 2026 – NITV and SBS will deliver comprehensive multiplatform and multilingual coverage of Garma Festival 2026.
The festival returns from 31 July to 3 August on Gumatj Country in northeast Arnhem Land. This year’s theme is Bukmak, meaning Everyone.
Through NITV and SBS coverage, audiences will be able to follow the conversations, ceremonies and cultural moments that define one of Australia’s most significant First Nations gatherings.
Across four days, NITV and SBS will broadcast key forums, major announcements and cultural highlights. Coverage will span television, streaming, digital, audio and social platforms.
Coverage across NITV, SBS and SBS On Demand
Held by the Yothu Yindi Foundation, Garma brings together leaders from government, business, academia and community. It also celebrates Yolŋu culture, ceremony, art, dance, music and storytelling.
As Supporting Media Partner, NITV continues its longstanding relationship with the Yothu Yindi Foundation. The broadcaster says its role is to help First Nations stories and voices from Garma reach audiences across Australia.
Garma is a place of First Nations cultural strength, authority and exchange, where some of the most important conversations in this country take place.
Tanya Denning-Orman, SBS Director of First Nations
Dan Bourchier, General Manager of NITV, said the coverage would connect culture with contemporary Australia and give audiences context around what they are seeing and hearing.
Garma Festival 2026 broadcast highlights
NITV News: Nula airs from 3pm to 3.30pm on Friday 31 July. Natalie Ahmat and the NITV News team will present a special live edition from Gulkula.
Garma Opening Ceremony follows from 4pm to 5.30pm on Friday 31 July. Natalie Ahmat and John Paul Janke will host the official opening, including addresses from Yolŋu leaders and a Buŋgul cultural ceremony.
Garma on the Ground with NITV airs from 12pm to 3pm on Saturday 1 August and Sunday 2 August. The live coverage will feature speeches, panel discussions, major announcements and cultural insight.
Garma Buŋgul airs from 3pm to 4pm on Sunday 2 August, offering audiences a respectful window into one of the festival’s significant cultural traditions.
Garma Festival 2026 In Review airs at 5.30pm on Monday 3 August. Hosted by Natalie Ahmat, the one-hour special will revisit the festival’s major speeches, performances and cultural highlights.
Garma Sound Lines airs from 10.35pm on Saturday 8 August on NITV and SBS On Demand, capturing music and performances from the festival.
For more NITV stories, visit the TV Central NITV archive. Garma Festival content will also be available through SBS On Demand.
