SBS: summer highlights

SBS has announced some of its summer highlights across multiple channels including The New Pope, Norwegian drama Wisting, and second seasons of Marry Me Marry My Family and Shrill.

This list also includes some titles already underway and a handful of repeats.

SBS

Wisting (pictured top)
Monday, 23 December at 11.30pm on SBS
Number of Episodes: 10 X 45min
Homicide detective William Wisting struggles with two of the toughest cases of his career. His serial killer investigation crosses paths with his journalist daughter’s news story, putting her in grave danger. When Wisting is accused of evidence tampering in a former case, his entire career is in jeopardy. All episodes available on SBS On Demand

Marry Me Marry My Family S2
Tuesday, 7 January at 8.30pm on SBS
Number of Episodes: 3 x 1hr
Following six couples from different backgrounds, Marry Me Marry My Family explores the pressures of navigating family, religion, and tradition when planning for a wedding. The journey to every wedding day brings tears and tension, chaos and compromise. So what happens when you try to send two vastly different cultures down the aisle? The answer – you double-down on the stress and drama and buckle up for an epic, colourful tale of love against the odds. Marry Me Marry My Family is the amazing story of cross- cultural weddings in Australia.

Royal Family: Scandals and Shame
Sunday, 12 January at 9.25 pm on SBS
Number of Episodes: 2 X 45min
Royal Family: Scandals and Shame is a drama documentary series that exposes everything from Prince Harry’s Nazi costume to Prince Andrew and the porn star, and Prince Phillip – practically every time he opens his mouth. They’re the scandals that show the royals are as human as the rest of us. Experts reveal how the House of Windsor has survived the tabloid storms that have battered it over the past decades.

Vikings 6A
Wednesday, 11 December on SBS On Demand
Number of Episodes: 10 x 1hr
The epic and chaotic Vikings’ saga continues with a sixth instalment. Following the battle between brothers, Bjorn Ironside (Alexander Ludwig) is left victorious and a hero to the people who have been under the tyrannical rule of Ivar for so long. As the new leader of Kattegat, Bjorn struggles to fill his late father’s shoes as King, while facing several dilemmas and wrestling with the idea that power overshadows morals. Meanwhile, his brother Ivar the Boneless (Alex Høgh Andersen), a self-proclaimed God ruling over Kattegat with alarming terror, is searching for a new path to separate him from his past and is seen traveling along The Silk Road. Episodes will air on SBS and SBS On Demand weekly from Wednesday 11 December

The New Pope
Thursday, 16 January on SBS On Demand
Number of Episodes: 8 X 1hr
Created and directed by Oscar® winner Paolo Sorrentino with Umberto Contarello and Stefano Bises. Pius XIII (Jude Law) is in a coma. After an unpredictable and mysterious turn of events, the Secretary of State Voiello succeeds in the enterprise of having Sir John Brannox (John Malkovich), a moderate English aristocrat, charming and sophisticated, placed on the papal throne adopting the name John Paul III. The new pope seems perfect, but he conceals secrets and a certain fragility. And he immediately understands that it will not be easy to replace the charismatic Pius XIII hanging between life and death. Double episodes of The New Pope will drop weekly on SBS On Demand from Thursday 16 January

Shrill S2
Saturday, 25 January on SBS On Demand
Number of Episodes: 8 X 30min
Fast-tracked from the US, Shrill is from executive producers Lorne Michaels and Elizabeth Banks and based on the memoir from Lindy West. Annie (Aidy Bryant) starts this next instalment on a high. She has faced her demons head on – her mother, her boss, and her troll, and she’s feeling pretty good. She also has her boyfriend Ryan by her side. But the high doesn’t last long. Annie realises that quitting her job was a hasty move. Things aren’t perfect with Annie’s mother either. She cleared the air, but the old problems are still there, and there is way more to deal with. The complete second season of Shrill will drop on SBS On Demand on Saturday 25 January. SBS VICELAND will also air the complete second season from 8:30pm Saturday 25 January – 12:30am Sunday 26 January.

SBS VICELAND

If You Are The One
Friday, 2 January at 6.30pm on SBS VICELAND
Number of Episodes: 10 x 1hr
With a global viewing audience of up to 50 million per episode, this popular dating show, hosted by Meng Fei, is a cultural phenomenon. A lone male suitor has to impress a panel of 24 single women, who can then register their interest or disinterest in the man through the use of their podium lights.

Sex On The Couch
Thursday, 2 January at 9.25pm on SBS VICELAND
Number of Episodes: 8 X 1hr
This six-part series sees couples share their most intimate secrets to sex therapists in a specially constructed clinic. Will they stay together or will what they reveal push them apart?

Homeland S7 **Mini-Marathon**
Tuesday, 14 January at 11,45pm on SBS VICELAND
Number of Episodes: 12 X 1hr
In the lead-up to the highly anticipated premiere of Homeland’s eighth and final season, SBS VICELAND is airing season seven. SBS VICELAND will air three episodes weekly over four consecutive weeks to lead into the premiere of season eight. Season seven follows on from the attempted assassination of President Keane (Elizabeth Marvel) after she broke her promise to Carrie (Claire Danes) by arresting 200 members of the intelligence community without bringing charges against them, including Saul Berenson (Mandy Patinkin). Season seven begins and Carrie has left her job in the White House and moved back to D.C. and is living with her sister Maggie (Amy Hargreaves) to take on the Keane administration and secure the release of her 200.

SBS World Movies

The King’s Speech
Wednesday, 25 December at 7.30pm on SBS World Movies
Based on the true story of King George VI, The King’s Speech follows the Royal Monarch’s quest to find his voice. After the death of his father King George V (Michael Gambon) and the scandalous abdication of King Edward VIII (Guy Pearce), Bertie (Colin Firth) who has suffered from a debilitating speech impediment all his life, is suddenly crowned King George VI of England. With his country on the brink of war and in desperate need of a leader, his wife, Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter), the future Queen Mother, arranges for her husband to see an eccentric speech therapist, Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush). After a rough start, the two delve into an unorthodox course of treatment and eventually form an unbreakable bond. With the support of Logue, his family, his government and Winston Churchill (Timothy Spall), the King will overcome his stammer and deliver a radio-address that inspires his people and unites them in battle.

The Diving Bell and The Butterfly
Friday, 3 January at 7.30pm on SBS World Movies
The Diving Bell and The Butterfly follows the editor of French fashion magazine Elle, Jean- Dominique Bauby (Mathieu Amalric), after he suffers a stroke that leaves him paralyzed. Jean-Dominique is told by a neurologist that he has a rare condition in which the patient is almost completely physically paralyzed, yet their mental and cognitive ability is completely intact. The film communicates primarily through Jean-Dominique’s thoughts as he strives to gain functionality and see out a book deal that he was signed before he suffered the stroke.

45 Years
Friday, 10 January at 7.30pm on SBS World Movies
45 Years takes place across six days in the lead-up to the forty-fifth wedding anniversary of Kate (Charlotte Rampling) and Geoff Mercer (Tom Courenay). The film follows Kate, just one week out from the celebration as she is planning a party for the occasion while her husband receives a letter stating that the body of his first love has been discovered in the frozen glaciers of the Swiss Alps. Initially appearing fine, Geoff gradually begins to show signs of his unrest. By the end of the week, the question is whether there will be a wedding anniversary to celebrate after all.

Food

Luke Nguyen’s Railway Vietnam
Thursdays at 7.30pm 2019 on SBS and Sundays at 9.00pm on SBS Food
Number of Episodes: 10 x 30min
Celebrated Chef, Luke Nguyen, in the next enthralling instalment of his popular series takes us on a culinary journey in Vietnam, but this time with a difference. Luke travels by train from Ho Chi Minh in the south to Sa Pa in the north embarking on a journey of the senses, which combines his love of food, travel and trains and the Vietnamese people. After decades of conflict Vietnam’s railway system was badly damaged and rebuilt post the Vietnam war. The Reunification railway symbolizes the coming together of the North and South of the country.

Asia Unplated with Diana Chan
Thursday, 19 December at 8.00pm on SBS Food
Number of Episodes: 10 x 30minAsia Unplated with Diana Chan follows MasterChef Australia 2017 winner as she explores the fresh, aromatic flavours of Asia. Each episode focuses on a different Asian cuisine, showcasing a variety of traditional and modern dishes from each country. Along the way, we join Diana as she explores the local shops, restaurants and markets, providing tips and advice for sourcing ingredients for each dish.

Cook like an Italian with Silvia Colloca
Wednesday, 8 January at 8.00pm on SBS Food
Number Of Episodes: 10 x 30min
Cook like an Italian with Silvia Colloca is a 10- part series written and hosted by Silvia. From kneading dough, to learning which flour to use and why dried pasta is better than fresh pasta when making certain sauces, Silvia will take you by the hand to discover a new approach to everyday Italian cooking. Each episode features three dishes – primo (first course), secondo (second course), and dolce (dessert) – all cooked by Silvia in her kitchen. Viewers will journey to Italian delis, markets and bakeries with her in each episode sourcing the freshest of ingredients.

NITV

Little J and Big Cuz S2
Friday, 10 January at 7.30pm on NITV
Number of episodes: 13 X 15min
The Logie award-winning series Little J and Big Cuz is back for season two. Featuring five-year-old Little J (voiced by Miranda Tapsell) and his nine-year-old Big Cuz (voiced by Deborah Mailman). The pair are Indigenous Australian kids living in the Australian outback, navigating the ups and downs of playground to classroom. Each episode reveals something surprising going on whether it’s at school, in the backyard or beyond… The gaps in Nanna’s ramshackle fence lead to saltwater, desert and freshwater country. With the help of Nanna and their teacher Ms Chen, Little J and Big Cuz are finding out all about culture, community and country.

Marni
Thursday, 23 January at 7.30pm on NITV
Marni is a slow TV artistic experience that follows Indigenous artist Allery Sandy as she paints an intricate dot-work painting about Ngarluma country – the Pilbara region where Allery lives. Recorded in real-time over three weeks, Marni is a 170-minute mesmerising compilation of aerial footage of the Pilbara region and Allery at work. Marni is partnered with a journeying soundtrack and the voiceover of Allery speaking in Yindjibarndi language telling the story of her life.

Robbie Hood
Thursday, 23 January at 8.30pm on NITV
Number of episodes: 6 x 10min segments (played as 1 x hour compile)
Robbie Hood is a modern Australian retelling of a classic tale. The recent winner of the AACTA Award for Best Digital Comedy or Drama Series, Robbie Hood is mischievous, heart-warming and a must-watch. Directed by Dylan River, the story is about Robbie and his two best friends Georgia Blue and big Little Johnny, as the trio skirt the law to right the wrongs they see going down in their hometown of Alice Springs. With no parental supervision, no money, and only themselves to rely on, riding BMX bikes, causing headaches for the local police and avoiding Robbie’s dad. The they spend their days memory of Robbie’s mother sticks in his head though, and his life of mischief is led with a strong sense of right and wrong. Robbie Hood brings life in the territory to the small screen.

Sport

2020 Kooyong Classic
Tuesday, 14 January – Thursday, 16 January from 1 – 6pm on SBS
SBS is the exclusive free-to-air home of the 2020 Kooyong Classic tennis tournament. You can catch the 2020 Kooyong Classic Live, Free and in HD on SBS or live stream it via SBS Sport and SBS On Demand websites from 1pm (AEDT) daily from Tuesday January 14 – Thursday January 16. SBS has a proud heritage in bringing the best of international and national sport that bring together players and fans from many diverse cultures. Australians love the drama and excitement of tennis – the Kooyong Classic is one of the iconic events on the sports calendar, and this partnership sees the tournament returning live and free to all Australians.

Basketball – NBA and NBL
Match times vary throughout January across the SBS Network
SBS is the exclusive free-to-air home of basketball in Australia, with full coverage of the National Basketball League (NBL), alongside matches from the National Basketball Association (NBA). With comprehensive highlight programs and unique insights, live basketball coverage from the NBL and NBA will continue on SBS, SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand throughout Summer.
Throughout Summer, the following NBL games will be simulcast on SBS, SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand:
1. Sunday Dec 22 Illawarra Hawks v NZ Breakers 1500 – 1700
2. Sunday Dec 29 Adelaide 36ers v NZ Breakers 1500 – 1700
3. Sunday Jan 5 South East Melbourne v NZ Breakers 1500 – 1700 4. Sunday Jan 19 NZ Breakers v Melbourne 1500 – 1700