Founded in 1975, SBS is a hybrid-funded public service broadcaster in Australia.Â
From it’s inception on radio, to it’s move to Television in 1979, SBS’ primary audience was migrant groups in Australia, importing content from it’s country of origin and then subtitling it into English.
Much like the internet does, it serves as a touchstone for migrant communities separated from their culture, and perhaps their homes. Bringing communities together and fostering a sense of individual identity as not just a migrant, but wholly Australian.
SBS first got online in 1997, this archive is from 1998. I was largely motivated to archive this site, thanks to my obsession with WeatherWatch, Australia’s initial attempt of a “Weather Channel” style programming block, think weather information with cool tunes. Not only that, but also thanks to an interview with famed B-Movie (B as in quality, not the Bee Movie) director Roger Corman, conducted by Margaret Pomeranz of SBS’ Movie Show.
The interview is in the long dead VIVO Player format. VIVO Software was eventually acquired by RealNetworks developers of the infamous Real Player.
You can play it to this day, I’ve tested it on Netscape 4.x with the Vivo Active Player plugin. Getting a copy of the plugin was tough with the Internet Archive down at the time, however a copy is available now on the 2nd Edition of Internet Directory For Dummies.
Enjoy!