Comments on: SBS: “we will significantly scale back” future plans

By: Mike Retter

Mike Retter — Wed, 13 May 2009 13:05:46 +0000

@ Stan,

Eat Carpet was not simply rebranded. the short films are far less experimental.
I did see the replacement Movie Show, with Fernella Kernabone and Megan Spencer and thought it was ok. Then they replaced it with a shocking filler. SBS inedependant is gone as is its process for commissioning shows. it was once arms length of manegement and marketing. Now its all the same. I like the Gruen Transfer, a genuineley good program. Yes World News Australia is lightended up with its format and cross promotion.

By: Mike Retter

Mike Retter — Wed, 13 May 2009 12:13:24 +0000

@Byron

Deal with it? what kind of response is that? “The reason it is still going like it is” going like what? it is dumbed down and not performing its service properly. I guess you would stick up for Telstra too. SBS used to be a place to watch movies, in their entirety, uncut and undisturbed by advertsing. The purest film experience on the TV. It strived for cutting edge with programs like Alchemy. Showed forriegn language programs that were unique like the Kingdom. Had real film critics talk about cinema in a serious way. These things are gone. My points are valid and so are the other people on here who have similar concerns. If they are so tight for money they shouldnt have rebranded so many times recently or commission unjustifiable failures like Aussie Top Gear. The fact is people are not happy and there is talk of change at the top. There is rustling for a new direction because the current one is concidered a not good enough.

By: micky_t

micky_t — Wed, 13 May 2009 11:52:12 +0000

Whilst taxpayers should welcome any funding boosts to our public broadcasters (whom we ultimately help fund ans watch), SBS seems to have failed to prove it deserves extra funding. When SBS started, it was a niche broadcaster screening programs for our ever expanding multicultural society. As time has passed, it has more and more english-language programs than ever (we already have 6 other FTA channels with that) and less programs from it ’s original charter. How can it continue to justify the huge spend on Top Gear Oz, when it has a 2/3 the audience of even reruns of the cheaper to screen, original version, for example?? As well as other, less than broad appealing programs such as Swift and Shift couriers, etc?? If it can show that SBS2 and SBS1 have a clear charter of programs, than maybe future funding may be more assured…

By: byron

byron — Wed, 13 May 2009 11:51:19 +0000

@Mike Retter deal with it. things have changed. the changes the other year are one of the few reasons SBS is still going like it is.

the channel is now much better than it was pre-brown.
it’s opened it up to so many more people so used to see it as a place only for foreign news and soft porn on fridays.

By: Neon Kitten

Neon Kitten — Wed, 13 May 2009 09:08:52 +0000

Mike Retter and Rob, couldn’t have put it better.

Shaun Brown has to go. He’s turning into a parody of himself.

By: effdee

effdee — Wed, 13 May 2009 08:51:19 +0000

As long as we don’t lose Rockwiz with the fantastic Julia Zemiro I’ll be happy.

By: Mike Retter

Mike Retter — Wed, 13 May 2009 07:20:26 +0000

They do not deserve anything more. They act like Telstra. They cant walk both sides of the street. On one hand they said F/U to the loyal audience with ad breaks and axing shows and yet they want more public funding. Well I am going to enjoy the Managements death of a thousand cuts because they treeted the audiences concerns of changes with contepmt. Listen MR Brown, we the viewers own SBS and we want something special. What you have done is spoil something special that people cared about. You can go and shove your dymocks voice over ads…

By: Kenny

Kenny — Wed, 13 May 2009 06:57:44 +0000

In this economical climate SBS should be at the bottom of the list for additional funding. The World News Channel caters to a minority of a minority – e.g. people who can speak Japanese and who have any interest in domestic Japanese news. 4 TV and 9 radio channels? I think not. from my taxpaying dollars. As in Thailand, if you want to watch foreign news, subscribe – to UBI.
As for introducing “English language tuition”, what ever happened to SBS original “English language tuition” programming, like “You Say the Word”? Where are the free “English language tuition” programs available to SBS such as “Crossroads Cafe” & “Connect With English” from VOATV? Available free, FOC, gratis.

By: Tony

Tony — Wed, 13 May 2009 06:45:58 +0000

They could save some money by not sending Julia Zemiro anywhere. Alternatively, give her a one-way ticket.

By: tomothy

tomothy — Wed, 13 May 2009 05:15:46 +0000

No need for the 9 radio stations at all. I havent even listened to the ones they already have.

By: Rob

Rob — Wed, 13 May 2009 04:49:03 +0000

Boo hoo, SBS wants all the benefits of being a commercial free-to-air station but on Government coin. Could be time to sell South Park to Ch10 to pay for all those exciting multi-lingual digital radio stations!

By: Paull

Paull — Wed, 13 May 2009 04:00:46 +0000

I think SBS was aiming a little 2 high. 4 Tv channels and 9 didgital radio channels, it’s a bit rich if you ask me, especially when the money is needed more desperately elsewhere.
However, I do think its good they’ve got some extra funding, and support the launch of a 2nd SD channel because I think it is necessary to cater to the foreign languages market over here.
I for one can say that when I was in thailand a couple of years ago, i was glad to find a few english channels on their cable selection, because you start to miss your own culture. So it’s good they’re helping out in that way.
I guess if they want more money they could potentially increase ads.