Since its inception in 2011, SBS (Special Broadcasting Service) on Demand has been one of Australia’s most popular streaming services. Boasting a massive library of TV episodes and movies across all genres, SBS on Demand offers something for everyone.
It’s no wonder then that the service has become so popular; with the ability to watch content offline, and a wide range of genres available, it’s hard not to see what all the fuss is about.
Australian users have access to SBS content anytime, anywhere, on any device – perfect for when you’re traveling or just want a little entertainment On Demand.
Nevertheless, Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, and Stan are some of the popular streaming giants that compete against SBS on demand in Australia. And each service has a unique selling point that makes it a hassle for Australians to choose their go-to streaming service.
Throughout this blog post, you will find all of the information you need to make an informed decision on whether or not SBS on Demand is worth your time.
The Pros and Cons of SBS on Demand
To get a better sense of the streaming giant’s library of content, let’s first look at some of its pros and cons. The following outlines all the specifications and shortcomings a streamer checks before signing up. Hence, it may provide you with more insight into whether you’d enjoy SBS or not.
Pros
- A great movie selection
- Recent television series
- A wide range of devices is supported
- Prominent rows of recently watched/continued watching
- Excellent rewind and fast-forward feature
- The Android TV app’s excellent playback control
Cons
- There are no user profiles
- There are no parental controls
- Voice search does not work on the Android TV platform
- Long ad breaks
- Maximum resolution of 720p
SBS on Demand Price
The greatest thing about SBS On Demand’s service is that it’s completely free. There seem to be no subscription fees, and there is no need to pay anything to use the service. So, you only have to sign up with your credentials, and you’re in!
Also, if you’re wondering that the content might have a limit to the number of times you can watch a program since it’s free, then that’s clearly not the case. You can use it as much as you want unrestricted. Unbelievable right?
As we mentioned earlier, many streaming services are popular alongside SBS on demand in Australia, but the price varies greatly between them. SBS on Demand, being free, sets itself apart from Netflix, Stan, Hulu, and HBO Max.
Netflix’s basic plan is $10.99, which is more expensive than SBS on demand, which is free. In contrast, SBS on Demand has more local content for Australians, and you can watch the latest episodes of your favorite TV shows that Netflix does not offer.
Stan’s $10 basic plan offers a limited selection of content with no ads and only supports mobile and desktop access. However, SBS on Demand has a larger library that is free of charge and available on various devices.
Last but not least, Hulu and HBO Max offer a large selection of American content at $13.99 and $14.99, whereas SBS on Demand features free Australian content.
With these choices, you can now choose whether you want no ads, Australian or American content, access on multiple devices, or a free service.
SBS on Demand Content
With how often we’ve mentioned the fantastic content available on SBS on demand, it’s time to dig further into it. After all, content is what makes any service unique and stands among all competitors.
Critically Acclaimed Movies
Essentially, SBS on Demand offers a great range of critically acclaimed movies perfect for a night in. With various genres to choose from, there is something for every streamer.
Some of the best films currently available on SBS on Demand include The Florida Project, Lady Bird, and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. These films have all been critically acclaimed and are worth watching.
Easy-to-digest Original Movies
SBS on Demand offers a wide range of movies that are easy to watch and digest. Such as Run Lola Run, The White Balloon, The ABCs of Love, and Support the Girls.
The movies are typically around 90 minutes long and are a great way to wind down after a long day. Hence, this makes them a perfect choice for a lazy weekend night or when you don’t feel like leaving the house.
Universally Beloved Series
SBS on Demand offers a great range of content for audiences to watch at their convenience. Some of the most beloved and universally acclaimed series on the site include The Handmaid’s Tale, Mr. Mercedes, Limetown, Deadwater Fell, and Shadowplay.
These series are critically acclaimed and have amassed large, passionate fan followings. They are perfect for watching when you want to get lost in a good story.
Revival of the Rom-Com
Romantic comedies are making a comeback, and streaming services are leading the way. Lately, SBS on Demand has also been a big player in the revival of the rom-com genre.
In the past year, they’ve released several romantic comedies that have been successful both commercially and critically – such as The Beauty Inside, Five Flights Up, Eagle vs. Shark, and Heartbreaker.
Addictive True Crime Documentaries
One of the most popular genres on SBS on Demand is true crime documentaries. These documentaries explore real-life crimes, often featuring interviews with the people involved in the case. They can be extremely addictive to watch and often leave the viewer with more questions than answers.
Some of the most current true crime documentaries on SBS on Demand include Making a Murder, The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst, and Crimes that Shook Australia.
Local Productions
SBS On Demand offers an eclectic mix of local and international content that can be streamed anytime. One of the great things about SBS On Demand is that it offers a range of local productions that you won’t find anywhere else.
These include shows like The Family Law, The Wedge, and First Contact. So if you’re interested in Australian culture and want to see some great Aussie content, SBS on Demand is perfect for it!
A New Kind of Reality-TV
Along with other amazing content, SBS on Demand also has a plethora of Reality-TV shows that highlight social as well as cultural issues in an informative and entertaining way. Such as Alone, Going Places with Ernie Dingo, One Star Reviews, and Family Rules.
Choose Your Own Adventure
Lastly, this Australian streaming service offers a range of TV shows and movies that you can watch at your leisure. But what makes it more noteworthy is the fact that you can choose your own adventure.
This means that you can select different episodes or movies to create your own personalized viewing experience. You can also easily access subtitles in many languages, so you can enjoy your chosen content no matter what language you speak.
SBS on Demand: Features and Improvements
An online streaming service, SBS on Demand has the biggest and greatest feature of offering full episodes of TV shows, movies, and documentaries without a subscription. It is free and can be accessed on any internet-enabled device or TV.
The On-Demand website is simple to use and replicates the same template as most other similar services. You’ll begin on a ‘Featured’ page, but sections at the top of the page allow you to navigate to ‘Programs,’ ‘Movies,’ ‘Channels,’ ‘News,’ and ‘Sport’ to find the content you prefer to watch.
The application is also very simple to use. It’s very adaptable and downscales to any device that it is visited from. Moreover, its easy-to-navigate interface also highlights the broad range of titles on offer.
Additionally, the picture quality is also good and automatically adjusts based on bandwidth, but it’s slightly blocky because 720p is the nearest thing to HD you’ll probably see.
Since a lot of features have been discussed, there are some improvements too that SBS on Demand needs to consider. Most importantly, it should work on the resolution and definition of videos as it should be more than 720p for a good user experience.
Secondly, the long ads make users want to throw their devices against the walls because it disrupts the flow of entertainment.
For instance, an episode of Brooklyn Nine-Nine with two times of 2-minute ad breaks takes all the fun out of an episode’s comedic momentum, especially since it starts with 30 seconds of ads. And lastly, there should be an option for multiple user profiles.
Verdict: Is SBS on Demand Worth It?
The verdict? SBS on Demand is definitely worth it! The service has a great selection of content, including many popular TV shows and movies. The news and sports offerings are excellent and provide great value for zero cost. Overall, SBS on Demand is a great option for Australian streaming fans.
However, if ads and resolution bother you, SBS on Demand, an ad-supported streaming service with a maximum resolution of 720p, may not be for you. Furthermore, if you expect to find a lot of American and British titles on SBS on-demand, you won’t find many of them.
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