SBS WorldWatch moves to SBS On Demand – SBS will move SBS WorldWatch from free-to-air channel 35 to SBS On Demand on Friday 18 September 2026.
The shift means SBS WorldWatch will close as a linear television channel. However, the service will continue online as a digital destination for international news in 38 languages from 49 broadcasters around the world.
For SBS, the decision marks a major change for a channel that launched on 23 May 2022 as the broadcaster’s sixth free-to-air channel. At launch, SBS WorldWatch brought international bulletins and locally produced Arabic and Mandarin news to audiences who wanted news in their preferred language.
What changes for viewers
SBS says the digital version of WorldWatch will expand over the coming weeks. In most languages, viewers will get two or more daily bulletins.
That change gives SBS more space than a single broadcast channel could provide. It also lets audiences watch bulletins as soon as they arrive, instead of waiting for a scheduled television slot.
The SBS WorldWatch – News In-Language hub will sit on the SBS On Demand homepage. Viewers can also search for news content in their preferred language.
Why SBS is moving WorldWatch
The move follows a wider audience shift toward digital viewing. SBS says its FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage reached 18.1 million Australians, with most viewers watching through SBS On Demand.
SBS On Demand now carries more than 15,000 hours of local and international programming across more than 60 languages. The platform includes news and current affairs, documentaries, drama, world movies, entertainment, food, children’s content and sport.
It also offers dedicated language collections and selected English-language programs with subtitles in Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese.
SBS Director of News and Current Affairs Mandi Wicks said SBS WorldWatch plays an important role in connecting Australians with news and perspectives from around the world in their preferred language.
Wicks said the move to SBS On Demand would allow SBS to offer more international news bulletins and more flexibility for audiences.
Support for the transition
SBS says it recognises that the change will affect viewers who are used to watching SBS WorldWatch on free-to-air television. As a result, it will provide multilingual information and guidance through SBS Audio language programs and on SBS WorldWatch channel 35 ahead of the change.
More information is available at SBS WorldWatch, with support through the SBS Help Centre.
SBS On Demand is free to access through the SBS app on smart TVs, mobiles and tablets, and through the SBS On Demand website.
SBS also continues to provide locally produced news and community stories in more than 60 languages through SBS Audio’s radio channels, podcasts and SBS On Demand.
The SBS WorldWatch linear television channel 35 will close on Friday 18 September 2026.
Source: SBS
For more SBS and streaming updates, visit TV Central’s SBS on Demand coverage.
