Entertainment exec to depart SBS

SBS Commissioning Editor of Entertainment and Food, Josh Martin, will depart SBS in June to explore new opportunities.

Martin joined SBS in 2017 with a commissioning slate which has grown to include Eurovision: Australia Decides, Child Genius, Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, Mastermind and The Cook Up with Adam Liaw.

SBS management said in a note to staff yesterday, “During the last four years under Josh’s leadership, our entertainment slate has significantly diversified and expanded. When Josh joined, we broadcast two annual events in Mardi Gras and the Eurovision Song Contest. During his time, that offering has increased to include Mastermind and Celebrity Mastermind, two seasons of Child Genius, as well as the introduction of Eurovision: Australia Decides – one of SBS’s biggest shows and a franchise that has helped redefine and grow Australia’s Eurovision offering. He also commissioned SBS’s first ever 100% brand-funded program, Reset with Michael Mosely, and will leave us with a strong slate of upcoming commissions yet to be announced.

“He has also led the evolution of our distinctive commissioned food offering for audiences, overseeing the move of commissioned food shows from the main channel to a new low-cost model on SBS Food. This has seen SBS launch a number of new series and build our line-up of food hosts such as Silvia Colloca, Annaliese Gregory, Diana Chan, Poh, Guillaume Brahimi, Stefano de Pieri, Jimmy Shu, Palisa Anderson, Shane Delia and more. And most recently, he has led SBS’s largest ever commission in The Cook Up, which holds the record for the show with the highest number of episodes for an SBS program.

“As a lover of live TV, he has also broken another SBS record by commissioning more live entertainment than at any time in SBS’s history – from the Royal Wedding Live with Myf, Joel and Ray Martin, to Eurovision: Australia Decides, and bringing Mardi Gras live to audiences. It’s a clear demonstration of Josh’s commitment and passion for delivering TV shows that truly engage our audiences, and bring Australians together.

“Beyond this, it’s also been great to see more recently the results of his work with the NITV team which has seen the co-commission of Going Places with Ernie Dingo, and last year’s successful NAIDOC Week concert, Stand Up and Be Counted.

“Josh will be missed by our team, and the many people he works with around the organisation. While he is still with us for a little while longer, please join me in recognising his enormous contribution and thanking him for building the Entertainment and Food slate into the giant it is today.”