SBS is set to close its WorldWatch channel, bringing an end to the broadcaster’s dedicated multilingual international news service on linear television after just over four years.
From 18 September, WorldWatch will move exclusively to SBS On Demand, where SBS says audiences will have access to more international news bulletins across a wider range of languages and greater flexibility in when they watch.
Launched on 23 May 2022, SBS positioned WorldWatch as a dedicated home for international news in more than 35 languages, making it the broadcaster’s sixth free-to-air television channel.
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The launch came as SBS was already expanding its digital offering through SBS On Demand, making the decision to devote an entire linear channel to a highly fragmented, multilingual news service an interesting one.
SBS Director of News and Current Affairs Mandi Wicks (image – SBS)
In a statement, SBS Director of News and Current Affairs Mandi Wicks (pictured above) positioned the move as an opportunity to expand the WorldWatch service rather than simply close the linear channel.
“Moving to SBS On Demand gives us the opportunity to build on that service, with more international news bulletins and greater flexibility for audiences to decide when and how they watch.”
Wicks said.
The decision comes amid a period of change for SBS’s multichannels, with the broadcaster on Friday relaunching SBS2 after almost a decade under the SBS VICELAND name.
The move brings back the SBS2 branding, with the channel continuing to carry a mix of drama, documentaries, comedy, sport and entertainment.
WorldWatch will continue on SBS On Demand after the linear channel closes, with SBS planning to add additional bulletins over the coming weeks.
The service will provide international news in 38 languages from 49 broadcasters, while SBS On Demand also carries 24-hour FAST channels from Euronews and France 24.
The SBS WorldWatch linear television channel 35 will close on Friday 18 September 2026.
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