SBS continues its commitment to bringing a world of difference to its programming. Our announcement today of the wealth of entertaining, genre-bending and impactful shows that will air on SBS in 2019 further defines our commitment to bringing TV to Australian audiences that they won’t see anywhere else.
Documentary and factual highlights include:
NEW AUSTRALIAN COMMISSIONED DOCUMENTARIES
Australia In Colour
March 2019
Australia in Colour will reveal the nation’s history as you have never seen it before. Using new, state of the art colourisation processes, this unique four part series will transform archival footage, previously all in black and white, into glorious colour. Narrated by Hugo Weaving, this series takes us from the start of cinema in the 1900s to the heady 1960’s, exploring the stories that helped build and shape our nation. Australia in Colour is A Stranger Than Fiction Films production for SBS.
Australia in Colour debuts on SBS in 2019. Source: SBS
My Family Secret (working title)
April 2019
My Family Secret (working title) is an original series fronted by much loved Australian presenter Noni Hazlehurt. Each week, she helps two Australians uncover their family secrets and in doing so, reveals hidden truths that help re-define who they are. The series will scrutinise the silences of both our family’s and our country’s past. Stigmas are confronted as secrets around suicide, promiscuity, immigration, adoption, criminal activity, infidelity, love, and war are revealed. We’ll uncover secrets left buried offshore when families immigrated to Australia and reveal the inter-generational cover-ups affecting both Indigenous and multi-cultural populations in our country. My Family Secret (working title) explores a diversity of cultural and historical stories with an emotional journey of discovery at its heart. My Family Secret (working title) is an Artemis Media Production for SBS.
Medicine or Myth?
May 2019
Can you cure a migraine with chili powder? Does potato juice get rid of wrinkles? Will apple cider vinegar make you lose weight? Could sauerkraut cure rosacea? This bold new series follows everyday Australians as they put their diverse and sometimes controversial health cures and remedies to the test. Everyday Australians pitch their home remedies, some of which have been passed down through their cultures and families, to a panel of medical experts. Alongside presenter Jan Fran is a team of experts, comprised of Dr Charlie Teo, Dr Ginni Mansberg, and Dr Ash Haque.
Christians Like Us
Muslims Like Us took a religion under siege in this country and showed us the depth and breadth of belief in Islam in Australia today. Now it's time for the Christians, and they face a very different battle. Christianity in Australia is in crisis. It has been rocked by sex scandals, mocked by the media, and is in a state of continual internal conflict over issues like divorce and remarriage, abortion, women priests, contraception, and gay marriage. Church attendance has collapsed in the past 20 years, along with the numbers of people identifying as Christian. Who are the Christians in Australia today? From fundamentalist to progressive - what do they believe? How do they practice? Do Christians even agree on what it means to be a Christian? The Christian community represent a huge cross section of diverse society and diverse beliefs, and now they will be brought together under one roof.
Mastermind
SBS’s entertainment offering will extend to the highly competitive 6pm slot in 2019 with an all new Australian version of the iconic BBC game show, Mastermind, to play five nights a week. Famous for its challenging questions and intimidating setting, Mastermind is a true global smash. Each night, four contestants will take the iconic Mastermind chair to answer questions on their own specialist subject and compete for the prestigious title of Australia’s Mastermind.
Returning Favourites
Who Do You Think You Are? returns for its tenth season to reveal the fascinating pasts of eight well known Australians. The next series of Struggle Street will explore issues of disadvantage affecting Australians today, sharing stories of adversity and resilience, providing a voice to communities and individuals often unheard.
Secrets Of Our Cities is back for a second season, where Greig Pickhaver continues his mission to discover the secrets of some of Australia's most iconic cities.
After it’s incredible first run, Marry Me, Marry My Family is back to give further insight into interracial relationships and its place within modern Australia. Marry Me, Marry My Family Season 2 is a CJZ production for SBS.
Greg Pickhaver explores the Secrets of Our Cities. Source: SBS
The Untold Australia series continues in 2019, highlighting the often unheard multicultural stories. These stories include:
- Business As Usual: A one-hour documentary that will provide a sneak peek into the world of Manjits - a thriving but often chaotic family-run event business in Western Sydney. The documentary will follow the charismatic Gujral family as they engage with multicultural and multi-faith families during some of the most significant occasions of their lives. SBS have commissioned the project as part of their Untold Australia series and Create NSW have provided production investment. Business As Usual is a Heiress Films production for SBS.
- Secret Life of Death: A one-hour documentary that will open a window into the hidden world of two family-owned funeral homes in Sydney. It follows two young women - one who works with the living, and another who works with the dead. SBS have commissioned the project as part of their Untold Australia series and Create NSW have also invested in the project. Secret Life of Death is a Mint Pictures Production for SBS.
- Trans Mission: A one-hour documentary that will follow transgender truck driver Holly Conroy in her bid to stage a Mardi Gras in Australia’s No. 1 Christian town: Wagga Wagga. Holly will attempt to win over priests, pastors, and politicians as she seeks acceptance for the trans community, all while she continues the process of her gender affirmation surgery.. SBS has commissioned the project as part of its Untold Australia series and Create NSW has also invested in the project. Trans Mission is a Mint Pictures production for SBS.
- Young, Dateable and Disabled (working title): Straight-talking relationship counsellor Liz Dore is on a mission to help six young people with neurological diversity and intellectual disabilities find love. For people with disabilities, love, and relationships can be seen as taboo, but for Liz’s six clients, it’s a deeply held personal goal. Against the odds, these unique and diverse individuals are determined to learn as much as they can to find a romantic partner.
- Young, Dateable and Disabled (working title) is a Southern Pictures Production for SBS.
Eurovision - Australia Decides
February 2019
Hosted by radio host and music buff Myf Warhurst, and comedian Joel Creasey, Eurovision - Australia Decides will showcase the best of Australian music and bring the nation closer to the Eurovision action. It’s up to the Australian public and a Jury to decide Australia’s act to take the stage at the 64th Eurovision Song Contest to compete for Eurovision glory. Produced by Blink TV for SBS.
Eurovision 2019
May 2019
Australia will take the stage in the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest for a fifth time. SBS will once again bring the nation full coverage of the world’s biggest song competition, with exclusive backstage and behind the scene access from returning hosts Myf Warhurst and Joel Creasey. Produced by Blink TV for SBS.
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
March 2019
2019 marks the 41st anniversary of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. SBS will celebrate this important global milestone by supercharging it’s coverage to reflect 41 years of protest and parties in a colourful, action packed show broadcast from the glitter filled streets of Sydney into lounge rooms across Australia. Produced by Blink TV for SBS.
NEW INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARIES
Trust Me Iām A Doctor Season 8
February 2019
Michael Mosley goes behind the headlines once again to give the definitive answers to health questions. With his trusty team in tow, he will work to debunk myths and find the truth.
Source: SBS
World From Above
Early to Mid 2019
SBS will welcome another sensory experience with the World From Above collection. Each series will present a bird’s eye view of the world's most spectacular vistas, beginning with the blue chip series Equator From The Air. Other titles include Morocco From Above, China From Above, Algeria From Above, Aerial Asia, and Mediterranean From Above, with some of these titles narrated by Adam Liaw.
Great Australian Railway Journeys
July 2019
Armed with his 1913 Bradshaw’s Handbook to the Chief Cities of the World, Michael Portillo will embark on six new railway journeys across the spectacular Australia. Known for its natural wonders and vast open spaces, Michael will explore the continent’s monumental landscapes by riding some of the longest passenger trains and the steepest railways in the world. Along the way, Michael will explore Australian culture and its dazzling cities, from the iconic harbour-front metropolis of Sydney, to Melbourne’s world-renowned sporting heritage. Going back in time, Michael will investigate the gold, silver, coal, and wool on which this nation was built, and will discover how Britain established a penal colony on lands inhabited by Indigenous Australians for tens of thousands of years.
Civilisations
December 2018
The title is a reference to Civilisation, the series written and presented by Kenneth Clark almost fifty years ago, which offered one man’s personal view of western European civilisation, from the end of the Dark Ages onwards. It was partly conceived by David Attenborough to demonstrate the potential of colour television. The new series ranges more widely, featuring African, Asian, American, as well as European cultures to explore how human creativity began and developed, how civilisations around the world influenced one another and how artists have depicted the human form and the natural world. Civilisations will be led by experts David Olusoga, Mary Beard, and Simon Schama.
63 Up
June 2019
Michael Apted’s ambitious and critically acclaimed film study returns to probe the role that class plays in determining our life path. 63 Up reunites a group of people who have been filmed every seven years throughout their lives from the age of seven. As children from different social backgrounds growing up in the sixties, 7 Up revealed how class impacted their hopes and dreams. The following programs charted everything from success and failure, marriage and childbirth, to poverty and illness. Now at the age of 63, the group are once more brought together and assess whether their lives have been ruled by circumstance or self-determination.
MORE DOCUMENTARIES ON SBS
Inside Facebook, coming in February, takes a deep dive into the famed social media behemoth and asks the difficult questions about the influence Facebook has over life and politics in the 21st century.
Secret Life of the Cruise Ship, also coming in February, goes behind the scenes on a mega cruise ship, and finds out how the thousands of passengers are fed, entertained, and kept amused, and how the staff cope with life at sea.
In March, John & Yoko: Above Us Only Sky will tell the untold story of John Lennon's iconic Imagine album. Director Michael Epstein gives access to the extensive Lennon video, audio, and photo archive, including much previously unseen material.
In July, Chasing the Moon will reimagine the race to the moon for a new generation, upending much of the conventional mythology surrounding the effort.
Woodstock is set to premiere in August to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the historic three-day concert.
