2018 Upfronts: VICELAND, Food Network, NITV, SBS On Demand.

• NITV kid’s local drama Grace Beside Me
• SBS & VICE Media to co-produce local titles
• Food Network local series Bondi Harvest
• Wik vs Queensland & Black Divaz docos for NITV
• Homecoming Queens drama commissioned for SBS On Demand

SBS VICELAND

SBS’s award-winning news and current affairs program The Feed returns to SBS VICELAND, bringing young Australians a unique mix of news, satire, live interviews and in-depth investigative reporting every night at 7.30pm. PopAsia is Australia’s number one stop for Asian pop. Hosted by Andy Trieu, the show features the hottest hits from across Asia including the very best K-Pop, J-Pop and C-pop every Sunday morning.

Worldwide cultural phenomenon If You Are the One returns to SBS VICELAND in 2018. Critically acclaimed news comedy program Full Frontal with Samantha Bee and cult comedy South Park will be fast-tracked to SBS VICELAND in 2018. Hamilton’s Pharmacopeia and Hate Thy Neighbour will return for a second season, alongside a plethora of the world’s best cult, arthouse and foreign films.

Atlanta Season 2
2018
Emmy and Golden Globe winning series Atlanta will be fast-tracked to SBS VICELAND for a highly anticipated second season. Created, co-written and produced by lauded musician and actor Donald Glover (also known by stage name Childish Gambino), the series follows the lives of Earn Marks (played by Glover), a young Princeton dropout with a two-year-old daughter, and his rapper cousin Alfred ‘Paper Boi’ Miles (Brian Tyree Henry) as they attempt to break into Atlanta’s music industry and improve their lives and that of their families.

The Girlfriend Experience
January 2018
Christine Reade is a second year student at Chicago-Burnham Law School and new intern at a prestigious firm. Working hard to establish herself, her focus quickly shifts when a law school friend introduces her to the world of transactional relationships. Known as GFEs, they are women who provide “The Girlfriend Experience” — emotional and sexual relationships at a very high price. Juggling two very different lives, Christine quickly finds herself entangled in an ever-broadening web of intrigue and betrayal.

Slutever
January 2018
Sex and relationship columnist Karley Sciortine goes on a series of adventures where she demystifies modern sexuality and challenges outdated ideas about sexuality, gender, identity and love.

Dumps
March 2018
It’s a series for anyone who has ever viewed an apartment where the kitchen was a hotplate on a dresser, and the shower was a sink at the end of the bed. It’s the bad and the very ugly of the rental market.

The Wrestlers
April 2018
SBS VICELAND explores the enduring global popularity of the world’s oldest combat sport — Wrestling. From the US to Mexico, Japan and beyond, the series explores how these rehearsed, violent soap-operas have continued to thrive and bring so many people together.

Sport
SBS VICELAND will showcase world class women’s sport with the broadcast of W-League and Matildas matches live, free and in HD to all Australians, and be transported into the world of competitive gaming with Arena Esports.

SBS Food Network

Bondi Harvest (New Local Production)
January 2018
Chef and author Guy Turland brings good food and healthy life hacks from the best beach in the world in Bondi Harvest. In a celebration of fresh, healthy food that puts flavour first, Guy creates accessible, easy recipes that you’ll want to cook and eat at home. Produced by Bondi Harvest for SBS’s Food Network.

Man Fire Food Season 6
January 2018
Roger Mooking is back on Food Network from January, headlining Flamin’ Fridays. Man Fire Food features the inventive ways Americans cook with fire. From small campfires to creative custom-made grills and smokers, Roger visits home cooks, pit masters and chefs who are fascinated by fire and food.

Baking Month
February 2018
While there are plenty of masterful cake makers out there, only few have the skills to win Cake Wars. Jonathan Bennett hosts this gruelling competition where four expert bakers go toe-to-toe to see whose mind- blowing cake creation will earn them a $10,000 prize. Can a talented home baker outcook a professional? A blind taste test will determine whose dish is the best in Bakers vs. Fakers. Duff Goldman, Lorraine Pascale and Nancy Fuller return to judge a new season of Spring Baking Championship. From family picnics to birthday parties and weddings, the bakers will prove their abilities at baking superb springtime treats.

Travel Month
April 2018
Celebrity chef Rinrin and Tobie Puttock explore diverse cultures and traditions in season 1 and 2 of Wonderful Indonesia Flavours. From the island of Lombok to Jakarta city, Rinrin and Tobie will uncover the country’s regional cuisines, indigenous cultures and foreign influences. Bad boy chef and best-selling author Anthony Bourdain hits both familiar culinary hotspots and out-of-the-way gems in his global quest for the ultimate dining experience in No Reservations. Follow Irish cook and food blogger Donal Skehan as he travels through Europe, meeting fellow bloggers in each country. They’ll have 48 hours to take him on a whistle-stop tour, uncovering hidden gems along the way. Also, Rick Stein is back, exploring Spain and the Far East in an epic culinary journey.

Healthy Food Month
May 2018
Food Network is the place to jumpstart that health-kick. Rachel Ray has all the right recipes for the time poor in 30 Minute Meals, Bobby and Nikki will let you know how you can make a healthier version of all your favourite meals in Junk Food Flip and professional chef and cookbook author Marcela Valladolid inspires with her fresh take on Mexican food with simple and authentic recipes in Mexican Made Easy.

 

NITV

Grace Beside Me (NITV First Drama Commission)
February 2018
Fuzzy Mac’s life is turned upside down on her 13th birthday, when she discovers she can communicate with spirits! It’s hard enough navigating the highs and lows of becoming a teenager while living with your eccentric Nan and Pop. Throw in a host of needy spirits, mischievous totems and spooky ancestors, and you have a recipe for a whole bunch of trouble. Combining whimsy, adventure, comedy and drama, the series takes audiences on an emotional roller coaster ride, following Fuzzy, as she learns to accept her gift and understand the meaning of ‘grace’. Grace Beside Me is a Magpie Pictures production, produced with support from NITV, ABC, Disney, ACTF, Screen Australia, Screen Queensland and Create NSW, 9 Stories Distribution.

Wik vs Queensland
June 2018
On December 23, 1996, the High Court of Australia granted native title to the Wik People in the landmark case Wik Peoples vs The State of Queensland. The documentary will explore the power plays, racism and fear mongering in the lead up to the High Court’s decision and the dramatic political manoeuvring that occurred in the aftermath. This film will celebrate the 21st Anniversary of that fateful day when Wik won the battle but the lost the war. Wik vs Queensland is a Bacon Factory Films, Bent3Land Productions and Freshwater Productions film, produced in association with Screen Queensland, Screen Australia and NITV.

Black Divaz
March 2018
Black Divaz goes beyond the make-up, the glue guns and the glamour of drag to reveal the complexities of a world that is often seen as camp entertainment. For many gay, transgender, sistergirls and gender diverse members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, the fight for understanding, visibility and equality is sometimes just as difficult within their own communities, as it is in the mainstream Australian community. In 2017, Black Drag Queens from around Australia embarked on a quest to be crowned the Inaugural Miss First Nations Drag Queen. Immersed in the private lives of four fierce, sassy and black contestants alongside the pageant’s drag hosts, Black Divaz will reveal the people behind the Drag personas. Souls will be bared and connections made as one Black Queen makes history in being crowned the first Miss First Nation. Black Divaz is a Pursekey Productions documentary produced in association with NITV, Screen Australia and Create NSW.

Going Places with Ernie Dingo
July 2018
Ernie is back and he’s at it again! Australia’s loveable rouge Ernie Dingo returns to the small screen in the second season of Going Places with Ernie Dingo. This time he’s going to even more destinations, meeting more everyday Aussies doing their thing and sharing their story. Produced by NITV.

Westwind: Djalu’s Legacy
2018
Djalu’s Legacy tells the story of Djalu Gurruwiwi, an aging elder who is running out of time to pass on the Yidaki Songlines entrusted to him for the future of his people. He fears that his sons and community, struggling to come to terms with the consequences of colonisation, are lost. When Djalu breaks with his 60,000 year long tradition to try and save it, world famous musician Gotye becomes an unexpected assistant, helping to heal Djalu’s sons and amplify his songs to the world. Westwind: Djalu’s Legacy was developed and produced by Johnny & Kate Films and Madman Production Company, with development assistance from Film Victoria. Production was supported by Screen Australia, Melbourne International Film Festival Premier Fund, Screen Territory, NITV and Film Victoria. Production funds were also received through Documentary Australia Foundation as well as by way of additional crowd funding.

The Song Keepers
2018
The Song Keepers tells the story of the Central Australian Aboriginal Women’s Choir as they preserve ancient Aboriginal language, sacred poetry and baroque music. With the help of their charismatic conductor, the choir embarks on a historic journey taking the hymns that were given to their great grandparents by German missionaries, now sung in their own Aboriginal languages, back to Germany. Together they share their music and stories of cultural survival, identity and cross-cultural collaboration. The Song Keepers was produced by Brindle Films in association with Indigo Films, Screen Australia, the Melbourne International Premiere Film Fund, Film Victoria, Screen Territory and NITV.

Returning in 2018
In 2018 the Rule family will return to screens, with Family Rules Season 2, focussing on the lives of mother, Daniella and the younger and middle Rule sisters, Hannah, Jessica, Aleisha, Sharna, Kelly and Kiara, while elder sister Shenika is the foil to their endless exploits. Family Rules is an up close and personal observational documentary series giving an exclusive insight into modern Indigenous family life. Family Rules is developed by Metamorflix and Karla Hart Enterprises, with support from NITV, Screen Australia, Screenwest and Lotterywest. NITV’s biggest audience driver, the Marngrook Football Show is back for its 11th year. Again hosted by Grant Hansen and Gilbert McAdam and presented by Leila Gurruwiwi and Shelley Ware, the program will combine the latest footy news, all-star interviews and in-depth analysis, with a unique spotlight on the Indigenous contribution to AFL. Also in football news, NITV’s NRL football show, Over the Black Dot, will welcome back hosts George Rose, Owen Craigie and Djuro Sen for a second season with the show focusing on all levels of rugby league, with the core story driver being the national rugby league. Australia’s longest running Indigenous current affairs program, Living Black will return to NITV for its 25th season in 2018 with a six-part series hosted by Karla Grant. Karla will also host NITV’s current affairs program The Point which is back for its third season. Its lineup of presenters will provide a daily wrap up of the stories and issues that matter to First Australians.

SBS on Demand

Homecoming Queens (New Australian Commission)
2018
From the brilliant minds of co-writers and co-creators Michelle Law and Chloë Reeson comes the semi- autobiographical dramedy Homecoming Queens. After chronic illnesses overturn their expectations of life and youth, twenty-something best friends Michelle and Chloë reinvent themselves, changing their friendship and their futures. Law stars in the series as Michelle, while Liv Hewson (Top of the Lake: China Girl) plays Chloë. The SBS On Demand original online series will be available as a 60 minute special and 7 x 8 minute episodes in 2018. Produced by Generator Pictures for SBS On Demand with funding from Screen Australia in association with Screen Queensland and Film Victoria.

Monster
January 2018
Starring SBS On Demand favourite Jakob Oftebro (Lilyhammer, The Bridge, 1864: Denmark’s War, Young & Promising), Monster is a Scandi-noir which will chill viewers to the bone. In a small town in northern Norway, a young girl goes missing and her boyfriend turns up dead. Police inspector Hedda Hersoug (Ingvild Holthe Bygdnes) is forced to work with hotshot detective Joel Dreyer (Oftebro) to hunt down a serial killer. With the investigation falling apart, and both detectives butting heads, they resort to extreme measures to stay on the case and keep their personal secrets from coming to light. (Norway)

Chance Season 2
January 2018
Actor Hugh Laurie is joined by Paul Schneider for the second season of Chance, which premieres exclusively on SBS On Demand in Australia. In the second season, San Francisco-residing forensic neuropsychiatrist, Dr. Eldon Chance (Laurie), is blackmailed by Detective Hynes (Brian Goodman) to investigate a tech multimillionaire Ryan Winter (Schneider), whom Hynes believes to be a serial killer. Upon analysing Winter, Chance comes to a horrifying realisation that the two of them are more similar than he thought. (United States)

Transfer
February 2018
Set in the near future, the drama follows Florian Bassot, an ordinary man who accidentally drowns when out boating with his family. Five years later, he awakens to find that scientists have transferred his mind into the body of another man. Florian has to hide his identity, inhabiting the body of Sylvain Bernard (Arieh Worthalter), who just happens to be one of the highest-ranking officers of B.A.T.I., the anti-transfers taskforce. Desperate to reconnect with his family, Florian is forced to live the life of a fugitive in a world he no longer recognises or understands. Transfer won Best French Series and Best Actor at the Séries Mania Festival. (France)

Don’t Ever Wipe Tears Without Gloves
February 2018
This powerful Swedish drama explores love in the shadow of AIDS. Benjamin is a Jehovah’s Witness, eagerly spreading the word of God from door to door. Nothing can shake his faith, until he knocks on Paul’s door. Written by renowned Swedish author Jonas Gardell after his bestselling series of books with the same title, the series won the Audience Award at the Séries Mania Festival. (Sweden)

More on SBS On Demand in 2018:
Berlin Station follows CIA agent Daniel Miller (Richard Armitage), who has just arrived at the CIA station in Berlin, Germany. Miller has a clandestine mission: to uncover the source of a leak who has supplied information to a whistle-blower. Ride Upon the Storm, a Danish drama created by Adam Price and starring Lars Mikkelsen (House of Cards), follows a family of priests and how faith and religion affect their familial relationships. Acclaimed Swedish crime drama Modus sees actress Kim Cattrall join the cast for a second season.