SBS World Movies
| Company type | Free-to-air television channel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television broadcasting |
| Predecessor | World Movies (Foxtel) |
| Founded | October 1995 |
| Founder | Laurie Patton |
| Headquarters | Australia |
Area served | Australia |
| Owner | SBS |
| Website | www |
SBS World Movies is an Australian free-to-air television channel dedicated to showcasing global films. Its programming includes foreign language features, documentaries, independent productions, festival selections, art house cinema, mainstream movies, and interviews with international film personalities. Previously known as World Movies and accessible on Foxtel, the channel transitioned to free-to-air broadcasting on Channel 32 starting 1 July 2019.
Initial channel phase (1995–2018)
The channel made its debut in October 1995 alongside Foxtel and later broadened its availability to Optus TV in May 1998. Established by CEO Laurie Patton for a consortium consisting of the private enterprise of Seven Network chairman Kerry Stokes, the Australian Radio Network (ARN), and public broadcaster SBS, World Movies utilized SBS’s extensive English subtitle resources while shareholders financed the initial setup. In October 2009, SBS became the sole proprietor by acquiring full ownership from other investors.
Under the management of SBS Subscription TV, a branch of SBS, World Movies maintained strong ties with SBS’s free-to-air services by premiering films a year before their free broadcast debut.
On 3 November 2014, an HD simulcast version of World Movies was introduced on Foxtel. The channel ended its Foxtel transmission on 31 January 2018 but continued providing a "World Movies" section within Foxtel’s On Demand service.
Channel revival (2019–present)
The channel returned to free-to-air television on 1 July 2019 in high definition on channel 32, taking over from the standard definition broadcast of SBS Viceland, which remains available in HD on channel 31.
A promotional loop began airing in select regions from 18 June 2019 and extended nationwide by 23 June 2019. The relaunch was marked by screening the 2018 French film Remi Nobody's Boy at 10am.
Programming
World Movies presents foreign films in more than 200 languages spanning diverse genres such as action, horror, classic cinema, and independent films. The channel also broadcasts documentaries and conducts interviews with notable international film figures including German filmmaker Wim Wenders, Spanish actress Paz Vega, and French actress Clotilde Hesme.
25 Films You Must See Before You Die
In 2005, World Movies collaborated with SBS to air 25 Films You Must See Before You Die, which featured one selected film per week from March through August. This collection included timeless works such as Seven Samurai (1954), Metropolis (1927), The Battleship Potemkin (1925), and City of God (2002).
25 Docs You Must See Before You Die
Between April and September 2007, the channel showcased 25 Docs You Must See Before You Die, highlighting influential documentary films like Triumph of the Will (1935), Grey Gardens (1975), Hoop Dreams (1994), and The Fog of War: Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara (2003).
Community Engagement
World Movies actively supports foreign cinema within Australia through collaborations with local foreign film festivals such as those dedicated to Italian, French, and German cinema.
In September 2011, the channel organized a complimentary foreign film marathon at Sydney’s Palace Verona Cinema featuring movies like the French comedy Amélie, aiming to attract viewers and enhance brand recognition.