50 years of reflecting a diverse Australia: Happy Birthday SBS

Today, it’s a multi-platform, award-winning media powerhouse but half a century ago, the Special Broadcasting Service – better known as SBS – began its life as two small, multilingual radio stations.

2EA in Sydney and 3EA in Melbourne were initially set up to inform people from non-English speaking backgrounds about changes to Australia’s health system.

Now, the original 2EA and 3EA radio presenters are returning as part of a special programming line-up, as SBS prepares to celebrate its 50^th birthday.

Marking this milestone on 9 June 2025, the celebrations are not only about commemorating the past, but looking ahead to the future.

There will be a distinctive slate of cross-network, multilingual content and activities, including outside broadcasts in regional locations and a partnership with VIVID Sydney.

As indigenous actor and TV host Ernie Dingo observes: “Fifty years ago, we were given the chance to see the world from a different point of view.”

“And fifty years today, the world has had a chance to see us.”

In a country home to the oldest continuous culture and where almost one-third of people were born overseas, the hybrid-funded national public broadcaster has long been holding up a mirror, enabling all Australians to see themselves and their stories through a distinctive media offering that can’t be found elsewhere.

“The Australia you see on SBS is the Australia we all see when we walk out our front door every day,” says James Taylor, Managing Director of SBS.

Promoting a sense of belonging for all Australians – regardless of their background – is paramount.

“We don’t tell people what to think, or feel, but provide opportunities for everyone to experience the world around them,” says Taylor.

Today, SBS’s multi-platform services are free and available for all Australians in over 60 languages.

SBS continues to receive industry recognition and accolades. For three years running, it has won National Podcaster of the Year at the Australian Podcast Awards.

As Taylor says: “SBS is for all Australians, by all Australians, and we’ve never been afraid to take risks and boldly go where others won’t.”

*Main photo: 2EA radio host Cleo Demopoulos of the original Greek program

 *Middle photo: L-R: Karla Grant, Adam Liaw, Kumi Taguchi and Marc Fennell