SBS chief executive Michael Ebeid said the quasi-public broadcaster has always enjoyed bipartisan support from the government of the day, and the new communications minister, Malcolm Turnbull, really “understands” it.
Ebeid addressed a crowd of media buyers on Friday and said the media network has been going through a period of evolution and change with increased investments in content, technology, media sales and culture.
He stated the change in government will not affect SBS' operations as it's always had the support of both Labor and Liberal governments. The last federal budget, under a Labor government, saw SBS claim $20 million in new funding.
“I'm really confident this new government certainly does understand SBS,” he said. “They understand our purpose, what we exist for and the contribution we make to multicultural Australia. Multicultural Australia, or Australia generally, is increasing in its cultural complexity and therefore our role at SBS has only just began.
“We've always had good bipartisan support at SBS and in many ways, we have two parents who want to see us do well. This morning, I spent five hours going through a detailed review with Malcolm Turnbull at SBS. It's only three months since the election and he's already spending time with us - a terrific sign.
“He's a minister that understands us and uses our services a lot and is always telling us he uses SBS On Demand more than any other catch-up player.”
Ebeid added the government will maintain a firm eye on its commercial operations and said SBS, as an organisation, has really embraced its hybrid funding model.
SBS has revealed a slate of programming for next year with the FIFA World Cup the centrepiece of its 2014 line-up. Its commissioned content has also increased 33%.
The network also said it will roll-out HbbTV services and will have a stable of technology options for viewers including on-demand services which will include full seasons of programs being made available after the first episode.
For media buyers, from next year SBS will launch automated buying through the Landsberry & James platform. SBS national agency sales manager Adam Sadler promised proposal turnaround periods will decrease from two days to two hours.
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