SBS has revealed plans to launch its first dedicated movie channel SBS World Movies, catering to international cinema.
Going live from 1 July, the dedicated 24-hour channel will feature a diverse range of movies, with the network looking to build on its long legacy as the "home of multilingual films".
SBS World Movies will be a "celebration of the diversity of global cinema", with at least half the titles on the channel in a language other than English.
The channel will feature genres including European arthouse films, Bollywood cinema, romantic comedies to anime, classic favourites and acclaimed new releases.
SBS director of media sales Adam Sadler told AdNews the network is already in market and has had "strong interest from advertisers".
"We want to work with brands to create opportunities to amplify their purpose and product through integrations, activations or alignment within broad appeal, family co-viewing titles and themed collections that connect with multilingual communities and specific areas of interest," Sadler says
"SBS World Movies will expand our already extensive offering for advertisers, creating another brand-safe environment to engage with our growing share of Australian audiences.
"As the only 24/7 multicultural and multilingual movie channel, SBS World Movies will offer advertisers new opportunities to speak to Australia’s diverse communities in their language."
The channel will broadcast more than 700 films each year and will also feature curated seasons of special programming to mark cultural events, festivals and celebrations such as Diwali, Lunar New Year, International Women’s Day and Mardi Gras.
Each week, the schedule will feature a Women in Film double-bill of female filmmakers and lead actors, as well as Festival Favourites and Emerging Territories, showcasing films from far-flung locations.
SBS World Movies will broadcast in HD on channel 32 alongside SBS’s existing channels, SBS, SBS VICELAND, SBS Food and NITV. SBS World Movies will also be SBS’s third HD channel.
"People come to SBS for content they don’t find anywhere else. SBS World Movies has a proud tradition of showcasing the best international films, reflecting the diversity of global cinema, and we’re excited to further evolve this offering," SBS managing director James Taylor says.
"International cinema does this in a truly unique way, and has been an important part of SBS’s offering for decades, giving Australians the opportunity to delve into cultures through cinematic masterpieces captivating audiences around the world."
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