SBS Television and Radio services

3SBS Television and Radio services are delivered to audiences on various transmission platforms as described below.

SBS transmits 537 terrestrial television services around the country, serving approximately 97 per cent of the Australian population.

This is comprised of:

• 344 digital terrestrial services provided by Broadcast Australia;
• 117 retransmission services provided by Regional Broadcasters Australia (RBA) and Transmitters Australia (TXA); and
• 76 self-help services.

By including the VAST (Viewer Access Satellite Television) platform, with its current base of more than 349,000 receivers, SBS reaches almost 100 per cent of Australians.

SBS is also retransmitted on the cable and satellite subscription services of Foxtel.

In addition to the VAST and digital television platforms, SBS Radio is delivered in capital cities and regional centres using analogue and digital terrestrial transmissions.

Radio platform (terrestrial)

Radio platform (terrestrial)

1. Self-help data is taken from the ACMA government database of Broadcast Licences.
2. Serving all capital cities; 8 main transmitters plus 16 infill repeaters
3. ‘NRN’ is the SBS Radio National service.

Transmission network infrastructure upgrades

In 2019-20, SBS benefitted from several material network infrastructure upgrades completed by its transmission service provider, Broadcast Australia, as part of its network capital re-investment program. This provided improved service reliability and reduced SBS’s overall carbon footprint.

Service performance testing and monitoring

SBS continued to work with Broadcast Australia to develop advanced testing and performance monitoring capabilities, with an outcomes-based focus on overall system performance to ensure clarity, coverage and continuity of services. This enables SBS to significantly reduce the service downtime required for performance assurance testing and improves responsiveness to any unexpected transmission faults.

Fault management system

SBS operates a complex fault management system for all key suppliers. Each supplier is required to log, manage and report on matters that impact SBS transmission, including planned outages for maintenance or project work, and compliance with contractual technical performance specifications.

The SBS Managed Services team retains detailed records of transmission issues and faults in order to assess performance and efficacy of service contractor management. SBS’s real-time management of service outages supports its audience via the reception advice line.

Reach (terrestrial delivery)

1. Estimated potential population reach; Self-help and direct-to-home satellite (VAST) services not included.

Service availability

The service availability of SBS’s terrestrial television and radio services measures the proportion of time each transmitter is on air during the year.