When Australia’s SBS TV was established, it was “an indulgence by the Fraser government and, some say, a sop to the growing electoral power of Australia’s ethnic communities. But SBS was a world-first idea that, for relatively few taxpayer dollars, managed to deliver reasonable value for money. It was never expected to be a ratings leader, but after 25 years it seems to be treading water. With 3.5 per cent of the night-time audience in Melbourne in the week before last – the most recent week for which complete audience statistics are available – it is not doing well.”