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56 channels
Australian TV is a curious blend of British public-service tradition and American commercial energy. The dual public broadcasters, ABC and SBS, set the tone for news and multicultural programming. ABC's 7pm news is a national ritual, delivered with a calm, no-frills style distinct from the punchier commercial bulletins on Seven, Nine, and Ten. SBS, meanwhile, airs news in over 60 languages, a reflection of Australia's multilingual reality, and its World Movies channel is a rare haven for subtitled foreign films in a market that overwhelmingly dubs kids' shows but subtitles adult dramas. Sports dominate the ratings, particularly Australian rules football (AFL) and rugby league (NRL). The free-to-air broadcasters guard live coverage fiercely, and the Grand Finals in September and October are de facto public holidays. Reality TV also thrives, think The Block, MasterChef Australia, and Married at First Sight, with seasons that run long and generate endless tabloid chatter. Primetime starts early by global standards: 7pm for news, then 7:30 for reality or drama. The rise of streaming has fragmented audiences, but live TV remains central for news and sport. Unlike many countries, Australia has no state broadcaster with advertising, leaving ABC and SBS fully publicly funded. This creates a sharp contrast in tone between the polished, ad-driven commercial networks and the more austere, independent public channels. Time zones also shape viewing: the east coast sets the schedule, while Western Australia and the Northern Territory get delayed or alternate feeds. It's a small but distinctive TV market, punching above its weight in local production and live-event coverage.