SBS Radio to broadcast in seven new languages

Seven new languages, including Rohingya and Tibetan, will receive their very own SBS language service, while others will be discontinued following a review into SBS’s Radio services.

SBS has announced changes to its radio services in order to meet the needs of multicultural Australia and to better reflect the country’s increasingly diverse society. The SBS Radio Services review took into account the results of the latest Census survey and audience listening habits.

The revised services will include seven new languages; Telugu, Karen, Tibetan, Hakha Chin, Rohingya, Mongolian and Kirundi (Rundi).

The population of a language group, English language proficiency, recentness of arrival, age and household resources were all considered, along with any discrimination or vilification of a particular group in Australia.

More than 74 million people speak Telugu in India and the population is growing here.

“We’re looking forward to servicing them and helping them navigate life in a new country,” Director of SBS Audio and Language Content, Mandi Wicks said. “It’s probably one of the fastest growing communities in Australia with 18,000 speaking the language five years ago and 34,000 speaking it now.”

All content in the new languages will be available digitally via on demand audio podcasts accessible via the SBS website and SBS Radio app.