SBS (Australian TV channel)

SBS
Logo used since 2019
TypeFree-to-air television network
Public broadcaster
CountryAustralia
Broadcast areaNationwide
NetworkSBS Television
Headquarters14 Herbert Street
Artarmon, New South Wales
Programming
LanguageEnglish
Picture format1080i HDTV
(downscaled to 576i for the SDTV feed)
Ownership
OwnerSpecial Broadcasting Service
Sister channelsSBS HD
SBS Viceland
SBS World Movies
SBS Food
NITV
SBS WorldWatch
History
Launched24 October 1980 (1980-10-24)
Former namesSBS Ethnic Television (April – July 1979)
Experimental Multicultural Television - MTV2 (February – May 1980)
Channel 0/28 (1980–1983)
CHN-3 (24 October 1980 – 18 February 1985)
Network 0–28 (1983–1985)
SBS TV (1985–2009)
SBS ONE (1 June 2009 – 4 July 2015)
Links
Websitesbs.com.au
Availability
Terrestrial
STN Sydney (DVB-T)1108 @ 7 (184.5 MHz)
AGV Melbourne (DVB-T)1124 @ 7 (184.5 MHz)
VTQ Brisbane/Gold Coast (DVB-T)1140 @ 7 (184.5 MHz)
ATS Adelaide (DVB-T)1156 @ 7 (184.5 MHz)
WTW Perth/Mandurah (DVB-T)1172 @ 7 (184.5 MHz)
DVB-T7
Freeview SBS (virtual)3
Freeview SBS HD (virtual)30

The Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) is a public television network in Australia. It is a part of the greater SBS television division. In 2024, SBS had a 9.3% audience share, an increase from 2023 when the network had an 8.5% audience share.

Channel 3 was launched on 24 October 1980, on CHN-3 in Sydney, Australia, and on AGV-3 in Melbourne. It was renamed to "SBS" on 18 February 1985. The station became STN-3 in Sydney on 18 February 1985. VTQ-3 in Brisbane and ATS-3 in Adelaide were launched on 30 June 1985, while WTW-3 in Perth was launched on 16 March 1986. On 1 January 2001, SBS commenced digital TV on VHF Channel 7. SBS HD later launched in high definition on 14 December 2006.

SBS began full-time transmissions on 24 October 1980 as Channel 0/28, broadcasting on UHF Channel 28 and VHF Channel 0 in Sydney and Melbourne. On 18 February 1985, the station changed its name to STN-3 in Sydney and was renamed as SBS. The service expanded to Brisbane and Adelaide on 30 June 1985, followed by Perth on 16 March 1986.

As of December 2025, the SBS is the fifth-rated television network and primary channel in Australia, behind the Seven Network, Nine Network, ABC TV, and Network 10.