Press release from SBS TV
Heralding a new era for SBS television, the network’s digital television channel, SBS TWO, will launch at 6pm tonight (1 June 2009).
SBS TWO will complement SBS’s main television channel which from today has been re-branded SBS ONE. A new look and feel has been created for both channels based on SBS’s successful ‘Six Billion Stories and Counting’ tagline.
“This is an historic moment for SBS television and an exciting opportunity for SBS audiences,” SBS Managing Director Shaun Brown said.
“SBS TWO means more of the world’s best stories, more in-language and first run films and more chances to engage with the best that the world has to offer.
“There will also be more opportunities for Australian audiences to access SBS’s quality news, current affairs and sports content that is so popular on SBS ONE.”
In July SBS ONE and SBS TWO will deliver audiences some of the most exciting and anticipated events on the sporting calendar – the Ashes in England (on SBS ONE) and the Tour de France (on SBS ONE, SBS TWO and SBS Online).
“SBS TWO allows us to do even more to reward the support and passion of Australian sports fans. Every ball and every agonising pedal stroke of the Ashes and Tour de France will be captured across our television and online platforms,” Shaun Brown said.
“We will show both events live and free-to-air. The Ashes, as a sport on the antisiphoning list, will be shown live on SBS ONE while the Tour will be broadcast live, free-to-air on SBS TWO, streamed live online and shown live on SBS ONE between the Ashes matches.
“The Ashes and the Tour will be followed by an expansion of our dedication to the best of international film on SBS TWO. We also plan to expand our in-language entertainment and documentary offerings across a range of genres our audiences will be familiar with.”
SBS TWO will go to air at 6pm tonight with a short introduction to the new channel followed by the Academy Award winning animated short film, Harvey Krumpet.