On 1 July 2019, SBS launched SBS World Movies as an HD free-to-air service dedicated to international cinema. The 24-hour movie channel features a diverse range of international movies, building on SBS’s long legacy as the home of distinctive multilingual films, delivered with a considered thematic and programming strategy.

SBS World Movies features a diverse range of movies from all corners of the globe, showcasing everything from European arthouse films to the best of Bollywood cinema; from romantic comedies to Anime. The channel broadcast more than 800 films during the year, with international titles including recent award-winning and critically acclaimed films.

SBS World Movies recorded a 0.9 per cent primetime metro share on launch in July, with a LOTE-heavy schedule.¹

Several scheduling adjustments and strategies were implemented to ensure the content mix was resonating with audiences. The channel has steadily grown its share since launch, particularly after the first six months, up by 0.3 share points post December during the daytime and primetime:²

• 41.6 per cent boost in daytime average audience from December onwards
• 35.3 per cent in primetime average audience from December onwards

In 2020, SBS World Movies delivered several augmented specials providing audiences with a deep dive into the distinctive content the channel has to offer. Lunar New Year Season, The War Season, The Best of British, The Nicole Kidman Season, Queer Cinema Season and Armchair Journeys all delivered audiences significantly over their time slot averages.

As the COVID-19 pandemic hit and Australians were encouraged to stay at home, viewing habits saw SBS World Movies gain audience, with March and April being the channel’s most successful months in 2019-20.³

• Weekly reach increased during the March-May period, with a boost in combined weekly Reach of 500,000 - an increase of 31.3 per cent.
• In the 25-54 demographic, SBS World Movies recorded a one per cent metro share in peak during April (compared with the channel average of 0.7 per cent since launch), with more viewers discovering the channel during lockdown and Easter.

In 2019-20, SBS World Movies became the fourth most recognised SBS brand, just behind SBS, SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand, with 53 per cent of Australians aware of World Movies.⁴