In 2019-20, SBS pushed boundaries with acclaimed dramas that portrayed a fundamentally inclusive vision of Australia – diverse, complex, compelling and rich. SBS dramas explored contemporary issues impacting Australians and showcased both esteemed and new Australian creative talent, with the aim of encouraging a greater appreciation of difference.

The Hunting

Winner of the Casting Guild of Australia (CGA) award for Best Casting in a TV Miniseries and Telemovie, The Hunting is the story of two high school teachers in modern multicultural Australia, who discover that students are sharing sexually explicit photos of their underage friends and peers online. The revelation has consequences for four teenagers, their teachers and families.

The series starred Australian screen luminaries Asher Keddie and Richard Roxburgh, supported by a cast of emerging Australian actors.

The series secured a combined metro and regional average audience of 624,000 on SBS and 1.6 million combined reach¹, with 5.4 million total video chapter views on SBS On Demand.² These are the highest ratings ever received for an SBS commissioned drama program.

The Hunting was acknowledged at the 2019 Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards, with four award nominations, including two wins (Best Screenplay in Television and Best Supporting Actor in a TV drama).

In partnership with the eSafety Commissioner, SBS created education resources and discussion guides for teachers, families and carers around cyberbullying and image sharing, to promote safe and positive experiences online, extending the impact of the series. For more information, see SBS Learn.

Robbie Hood

Robbie Hood is a mischievous and heart-warming digital comedy that brings life in the Northern Territory to the small screen. Launched in July 2019, the six-part series from director Dylan River is a modern retelling of a classic tale, as Robbie and his friends attempt to right the wrongs they see in their hometown of Alice Springs.

The series reached a combined metro and regional average audience of 51,000³ and had 441,300 total video chapter views on SBS On Demand.⁴

The series won Best Online Drama or Comedy at the 2019 AACTA Awards.

Dramas from around the world

SBS is known for bringing the best international dramas to Australian audiences. It continues to offer an increasing breadth and depth of premium drama series that viewers won’t find anywhere else, attracting new audiences who come to SBS for a different perspective.

Distinctive series including Baghdad Central, Wisting and The Crimson Rivers performed strongly on SBS On Demand, while English language titles including Shrill, Years and Years and Dublin Murders featured diverse casts and raised awareness of SBS’s unique content offering.

As media consumption behaviours continue to evolve, SBS is committed to ensuring these global dramas are available for Australians to enjoy at their convenience. In 2019-20, SBS On Demand premiered an extensive catalogue of LOTE dramas, with more than 500 hours of online exclusives and premiere titles in a language other than English. For further information, see page SBS On Demand.