SBS On Demand Review: TV shows and movies for free

SBS, which stands for the Special Broadcasting Service, is an Australian public broadcasting network founded in 1978. It's one of Australia's 5 main free-to-air TV networks and delivers diverse programming meant to both educate and entertain.

SBS On Demand is the network's streaming service. It allows Australians to watch more of their favourite SBS programs anytime, via the internet and without having to pay a fee.

You can catch up with current SBS programming or watch online-exclusive content, as well as access live streams of SBS channels. Users can browse through an impressive number of TV series, documentaries, movies, news and sports programs and watch them whenever they wish.

What can I watch on SBS On Demand?

The platform hosts more than 11,000 hours of stories from around the globe so there's a lot to watch. Create an account and you gain instant access to a carefully curated selection of TV series, documentaries, movies, sport, news and live TV.

On the TV front, SBS On Demand hosts popular series such as Atlanta, The Good Fight, The Handmaid's Tale, Why Women Kill, Crossing Lines, Spooks, Broadchurch, Halt and Catch Fire, The Orville, Letterkenny, My Brilliant Friend, The Fall and The Killing. You can also stumble upon hidden gems such as Sorry for Your Loss, Shrill and Back to Life.

Depending on licensing deals, in some cases only the most recent seasons are available. For other titles, you get complete box sets that let you binge-watch your way through the entire show.

Documentaries are also streaming on the service, true crime and competition shows included. You can catch up with several seasons of Alone as well as international editions of the series.

What can I watch on SBS On Demand?

This brings us to another great thing about SBS On Demand. It offers content from all around the world, with an impressive slate of international films available to stream. If you're tired of the same Hollywood formula, it's a great service to access when you want to expand your cultural horizons. That said, there are more than enough movies in English, ranging from cult classics to box office hits.

SBS On Demand hosts live streams of all SBS channels – SBS, Viceland, SBS Food, SBS World Movies, NITV and SBS WorldWatch.

Into sports? SBS is home to a whole bunch of cycling, including Tour de France and Giro d'Italia. The 2022 FIFA World Cup is available as well as other sporting competitions from around the world. Events are generally available both live and as replays.

Is SBS On Demand free?

The best part about SBS On Demand's video streaming service is that it is entirely free. There are no subscription costs and there is no need to fork out any money at all to use the service.

Plus, you can use it whenever you want. There's no limit to how many times you can view a program, but keep in mind that shows and films may expire after they have been featured on the website for a certain time. Videos expire because SBS only has the rights from each production company to offer programs for a limited period.

How do I set up an SBS On Demand account?

To stream SBS On Demand, users must create a free account using their personal email address. Simply follow these steps:

1. Access the SBS On Demand website and click on the Create Account button in the top right corner.
2. Fill in the required fields with your personal information (name, email, birth year, gender) and a strong password.
3. SBS will then send a verification email to the email address you provided. Check your inbox and click on the link to verify your account.
4. Sign in with your credentials and start watching.

Alternatively, you can log in to SBS On Demand with your Apple, Facebook or Google account.

Compatible devices

SBS On Demand is available on a wide range of devices, allowing you to watch your favourite shows in your preferred format.

Compatible devices include:

• Phones and tablets. You can watch SBS On Demand on Apple devices running iOS 13 and above and Android phones and tablets running Android 8.0 and above.
• Personal computers. SBS On Demand is available on all PCs/Macs. You can access it with Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Microsoft Edge browsers.
• Internet-enabled TVs. Watch on select models of Android, Samsung, LG, Panasonic, Hisense and Sony TVs as well as Chromecast, Fire TV Stick and HbbTV-enabled TVs and devices.
• Set-top boxes. You can also access SBS On Demand through Telstra TV, Fetch and Foxtel set-top boxes.
• Apple TV. It's available to download on fourth-generation platforms and above.

How do I get SBS On Demand on my smart TV?

To enjoy SBS On Demand on the big screen, first make sure that your television's software is up to date and you already have an SBS On Demand account. You can also create an account via your smart TV, but it's more straightforward to do so in a browser.

Then, download and install the SBS On Demand app from your TV's app store. Once that's done, all you need to do is to log in by entering your credentials and you'll be able to watch.

If you don't have a smart TV, you can use a streaming device such as Apple TV, Fire TV Stick or Chromecast to enjoy SBS On Demand on the big screen.

Frequently asked questions

• How can I save a video to watch later?

  You can add a title to Favourites so you have easy access to it whenever you want. To do so, click the heart icon within the program page. To access Favourites, click on the Favourites menu at the top of the page in a browser or bottom right of the app screen on mobile.

• Is SBS On Demand available outside Australia?

  No. Rights agreements mean that SBS On Demand can only be accessed from within Australia.

• How can I find the program I want?

  You can search for a particular program by typing its name into the search box at the top of your screen. If it doesn't show up in the results, the program may have expired or SBS may not have the rights to screen it through its On Demand service.

• How long are programs available for?

  This varies depending on the rights agreement in place for each program. Some titles are available indefinitely. Others may be available for a limited time.

  If a TV show or movie doesn't display any expiry information on its page, it means you have more than 3 months to watch it. An expiry date is added to a title on SBS On Demand only when that date is less than 3 months away.

• How can I enable closed captions on my video?

  Closed captions are available for a selection of programming on SBS On Demand. If a show or movie does have closed captions, you'll see the CC icon on the title's page. To enable closed captions, navigate to the Subtitles menu in the video player.

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