SBS offers live streaming for all our TV channels via SBS On Demand. Here's some of the most commonly asked questions about our live-streaming service and guide.
Why are certain TV shows or movies not available via the channel live-stream on SBS On Demand?
In some cases, SBS may not have the rights to live-stream this program on our On Demand service. For shows that are unavailable on our On Demand service, a placeholder with a custom message will appear during the live-stream advising of the blocked and unavailable content.
Is the SBS On Demand Guide available in my local time zone?
Yes, the SBS On Demand guide will display in the same time-zone that your device is currently set to. For example, of you are based in Perth, then you will see the message: "Australian Western Standard Time" appear at the bottom of the guide.
For viewers outside of New South Wales, wishing to access the SBS TV broadcast times, please refer to the Freeview Guide at: https://freeview.com.au/tv-guide for your local time.
Why are the times incorrect for shows on the live-stream?
Our live-stream corresponds to the time zone in New South Wales' schedule. Therefore, if you live outside of NSW, the schedule may not match your regional TV guide. Please refer to the complete guide below:
https://www.sbs.com.au/guide/ondemand
I don't know what I'm currently watching. How do I find out?
Currently, our platform is unable to display a show or movie's title directly within the live-stream player. We recommend using our 'Live TV' hub: https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/live for details on the current program playing. You can also find information on upcoming programs, including start and end times and their classifications.
We've also made some backend adjustments to the "Featured Live Channels" shelf on the SBS On Demand Home page. Each thumbnail with its own dedicated channel will now display the current program title, so you can decide whether to watch it before clicking on it
I missed the start of an episode via the live stream. Can I begin from the start?
If you are accessing the SBS channel live streams directly from the SBS On Demand website, Apple TV or Android/Google TV applications, then you will also have the option to scrub back or rewind the stream by 30 minutes.
There is work on the roadmap to roll this feature out to all devices and expand the rewind period to 60 minutes.
Will the lives stream use up more of my data?
Our live-stream's max bitrate is 2mbs. Regular streaming of TV shows or movies (VOD) content consumes up to 1.5mbs.
I do not have a TV, how can I watch your SBS Channels or where do I find your live-streams?
You can live stream all six SBS channels on your laptop and desktop computer or mobile via SBS On Demand. We currently offer the live stream of the New South Wales broadcast channels.
Simply access the live stream on the SBS On Demand website or download the app via the iTunes or Google Play stores to start watching – it's free.
Please note, streaming video will count towards your monthly data consumption.
Why is my live-streaming blocked?
Currently, SBS only has the rights to show content within Australia. Due to these restrictions, anyone living outside of Australia will not be able to view the stream. The service uses your IP address to determine your location and will automatically geo-block access to the stream.
To understand what location is associated with your IP address go to: whatismyip.com.
Will recordings of the live stream be available?
No, live streams will not be recorded. Certain TV Show and movies, including SBS flagship shows like SBS News, Insight and Dateline will be available to watch at your convenience on SBS On Demand after they’ve aired on TV. Please note the expiring date of each show on their individual episode page.
What devices is live streaming available on?
Follow this link to see the full list of devices that LIVE streaming is available on: What devices is SBS On Demand available on?
I am having issues with my live stream. What can I do?
Below are some common issues people have experienced while trying to access the live stream. We recommend you take a look before contacting us so you can enjoy the live stream sooner.
If you are having issues with the live stream, try closing the app completely and re-opening it. You may need to reinstall the app for the App or Play store if it persists.
Common Browser Issues
- If you have an ad-blocker enabled, disable it before hitting play on the live stream as it often causes playback issues. More info on how to disable your ad blocker can be found here.
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Refresh your current browser and re-start the live stream. How to refresh your webpage on different browsers:
- Firefox = CTRL + SHIFT + R on Windows OR COMMAND + SHIFT + R on Mac OS
- Chrome = CTRL + SHIFT + R on Windows, or COMMAND + SHIFT + R on Mac OS
- Safari = ALT + CMD + E
Try opening the live stream in another browser such as Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft Edge
No better?
Get in contact with our team here with as much detail as you can about what you’re seeing. It helps us understand what might be going on a lot quicker.
Send the time of day you were trying to watch the live channel stream, which channel, your device, IP address and the state you’re located in.
For information about SBS TV click here.