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SBS is facing a backlash over a programming deal with US cable channel Viceland that will see the public broadcaster rebrand a multi channel with a blend of edgy content aimed at young men.
Former ABC leaders accused SBS of losing its publicly funded ethos by adopting an aggressive commercial strategy, and failing to provide "multilingual and multicultural radio, television and digital media services" that reflect multicultural Australian society.
Launching on November 15, SBS Viceland will replace SBS 2, giving the broadcaster access to a catalogue of lifestyle-oriented content aimed at US pay-TV audiences that includes documentaries and reality series about underground comedians, cannabis culture, and illegal economic activity. Show titles include Weediquette, and Balls Deep.
Former ABC chairman Maurice Newman slammed the...