Returning: First Contact

SBS will screen its second season of First Contact with well-known Australians having a first-hand experience of Indigenous communities, again hosted by Ray Martin.

As previously reported the 6 Australians are singer Natalie Imbruglia, ex-One Nation politician David Oldfield, former Miss Universe Australia Renae Ayris TV, Actress Nicki Wendt and media personalities Ian ‘Dicko’ Dickson and Tom Ballard.

SBS Director of Television and Online Content Marshall Heald said: “First Contact season one gave Australians the chance to gain greater understanding and insight into one of our biggest social cohesion debates. Season two aims to once again get the nation talking and gives audiences the opportunity to delve deeper into this vital conversation. The challenges that the participants face, the moments that confront them, and the lessons they learn have never been more relevant for all Australians, and we are proud to be leading this discussion.”

Blackfella Films Executive Producer Darren Dale said: “In such politically charged times where division and race relations are dominating the headlines, it is more important than ever for us to reflect on who we are as Australians and consider what we want to be as a nation – First Contact pushes us to confront the questions.”

It will air as a simulcast on both SBS and NITV in late November, outside of the TV ratings year.

Reconciliation Australia has found that six out of 10 Australians have had little or no contact with the nation’s first people* – and this six are no different, despite meeting thousands of people in their high profile occupations.

Their beliefs will be confronted. Their emotions will be pushed to the limit.

Broadcast simultaneously on SBS and NITV over three consecutive nights, First Contact will be complemented by additional programming, stories and analysis across SBS’s online, radio and television network, giving audiences the chance to engage even more with the program. More information and a sneak peek of season two, in the coming weeks.
*Australian Reconciliation Barometer 2012

8:3pm Tuesday 29 November, Wednesday 30 November and Thursday 1 December on SBS and NITV.