Mark your calendars – The SBS network is spreading Lunar New Year joy in 25 languages, with an extensive and curated selection of audio, TV programming and digital content across 10 weeks from January through to 14 March, including great global titles in a free, captivating on SBS On Demand.
Across SBS Audio’s language programs, on SBS On Demand, and screening on SBS, SBS VICELAND, SBS Food and SBS World Movies, plus educational resources from SBS Learn, the SBS network is .
“It’s a privilege to play a role in communicating the importance of this event celebrated by two billion people around the world, including many Australians,” says SBS Managing Director, James Taylor. "SBS has developed a diverse, multi-platform Lunar New Year content offering across 25 languages. We will also support celebrations at 24 community events right across Australia."
Lion dance performers at a Lunar New Year event in Cabramatta in 2024. Credit: Ashley Mar
“2025 is a special year, with SBS marking its 50th anniversary of reflecting the real Australia and recognising the contribution of diverse cultures to the fabric of Australian society, which includes the wonderful Lunar New Year celebrations.”
SBS Audio
SBS Audio’s language programs will feature on the significance of the Year of the Snake and a , plus more stories and videos to come:
- SBS Cantonese reports on what you might not know about snakes, including explaining the Indigenous creation story of the Rainbow Serpent;
- SBS Filipino looks at celebrations after loss with a Filipino-Chinese migrant preparing to mark her first year without her mother;
- SBS Indonesian covers the key Feng Shui elements predicted to shape the Year of the Snake;
- SBS Japanese looks into how Japanese people dress to impress at new year celebrations;
- SBS Khmer speaks to young Cambodian-Australians about their festive traditions;
- SBS Korean looks at celebrations with elders in care;
- SBS Mandarin meets three siblings from Bendigo returning to their ancestral home in Jiangmen, Guangdong, China;
- SBS Mongolian explores how those who miss Mongolian traditions creatively adapt to keep the spirit of Lunar New Year alive;
- SBS Nepali dives into the annual festival of Nag Puja where snakes are worshipped;
- SBS Thai re-discovers traditions in Australia as a Chinese-Thai; and
- SBS Vietnamese reports on how two Australian-born Vietnamese people in their thirties celebrate Tet.
Also, on SBS Audio’s SBS PopAsia, Australians can bring their Lunar New Year party to life on Wednesday 29 January with a playlist of top hits from Asia from 5pm to 10pm AEDT.
SBS On Demand
A legal team fights to save an innocent woman in 'A Guilty Conscience', streaming at SBS On Demand and screening on SBS World Movies. Credit: SBS On Demand
Stream free On Demand
Fly by Night
Crime drama • 2018
Crime drama • 2018
Explore the hub to enjoy drama series including , documentaries such as and food favourites including .
Stream free On Demand
Trinity of Shadows
series • drama • Chinese
MA15+
series • drama • Chinese
MA15+
SBS, SBS VICELAND and SBS Movies
'China on Stage'.
Tune into love and romance on SBS Viceland, with the cultural dating phenomenon If You Are The One (Season 15) where singles buzz-in to find love, and learn more about finding love in China in the documentary, Love and Sex in China. See China differently through the cinematic documentary , capturing the pursuit of the “Chinese Dream” and then join Ash Dykes as he travels across one of the world’s most iconic landmarks in The Great Wall with Ash Dykes. For movie night, catch Hollywood’s The Farewell and star-studded feature films and So Close.
Stream free On Demand
The Flowers of War
Historical drama • war • 2011
Historical drama • war • 2011
To celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Snake, SBS World Movies is showcasing the best of Asian cinema, including South Korean drama film staring Kang-ho Song, best known for his leading role in Parasite; Singaporean drama directed by award-winning director Anthony Chen; Hong Kong legal drama which won Best Film at the Hong Kong Film Awards; and Chinese comedy-action film .
'Broker'. Credit: Madman
Stream free On Demand
Seven Swords
action • adventure • 2005
action • adventure • 2005
SBS Food
From three-cup chicken to pineapple cake, learn about classic dishes in 'Have You Eaten Yet? Tasting Taiwan'.
Stream free On Demand
Have You Eaten Yet? Tasting Taiwan
series • cooking
PG
series • cooking
PG
Visit SBS Food Online’s to find dishes for your celebrations, and follow SBS Food on social media for a tour of taste buds, guided by chefs preparing family feasts and sharing memories of Lunar New Years past.
SBS Learn
To help all Australians learn more about Lunar New Year, SBS’s educational arm, SBS Learn, has created free bespoke resources for teachers including a video guide on making snake-inspired fans and guiding questions for deep discussion and classroom activities, available .
Community events
To help Australians celebrate, SBS’s provides a provide a comprehensive list of celebratory events including those supported by SBS. Partnering with 24 community and government organisations, SBS will be a part of community celebrations across Australia.
