SBS has today announced it has secured the Australian television broadcast rights to the 36th annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, to air exclusively on SBS 2 in March 2014.
A global beacon of pride and inclusion, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is one of the world’s largest and most-loved LGBTQI celebrations, providing an opportunity to commemorate a universal message of diversity and equal rights.
SBS 2 will celebrate the magic of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in a special event broadcast on Sunday March 2 at 8.30pm.
The broadcast will showcase the best of the parade capturing the spectacular floats and outrageous costumes. The soon to be announced hosts will present a variety of feature reports covering everything from how to best prepare your dog for the doggywood parade, to discussing the issues of discrimination and transgender.
This year will be the first time Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has been broadcast on free-to-air television in 12 years.
SBS Managing Director Michael Ebeid said: “Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is an iconic Australian cultural event, which celebrates diversity. In bringing this year’s event free-to-air to all Australians, SBS is delivering on its purpose to encourage all Australians to understand, appreciate and celebrate diversity and in doing so, contributing to social cohesion.
“SBS strives to act as a catalyst to encourage national conversations about social inclusion and we’re thrilled to have Mardi Gras as part of our programming line-up for 2014.”
Director of Television Tony Iffland said: “SBS 2 is about broadcasting relevant, creative and bold event television for younger audiences. Mardi Gras is a great fit and we are delighted that SBS 2, our channel for emerging cultures from across the world, will bring this event free-to-air to all Australians.”
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Co-Chair, Siri Kommedahl said: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with SBS to broadcast Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 2014. As a channel devoted to cutting edge, culturally diverse programming, SBS 2 is the perfect home for Mardi Gras.”
Co-Chair Paul Savage said: “This partnership really amplifies the impact of Mardi Gras beyond Sydney and NSW, helping us to expand our reach and visibility into regional Australia and around the world, and allowing the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex communities to communicate the messages and issues which are important to them to a far broader audience.”
“Especially exciting for us is that this is far more than just a Parade broadcast – we’re working closely with the SBS team to showcase the breadth and depth of the entire Mardi Gras Festival, and to share the many stories of the dedicated and passionate people, communities and organisations that make it happen,” added Mardi Gras CEO Michael Rolik.
This will be Mardi Gras in the comfort of your home, with no lines, no crowds, and no taxi queues, captured uniquely on SBS 2. It’s the best seat in the house to experience an exclusive Access All Areas Mardi Gras broadcast like never before.
Based on the creative concept of ‘kaleidoscope’, this year’s three-week Mardi Gras festival will offer an array of free and ticketed events including fabulous parties; world-class cabaret, theatre and musical performances; premiere film screenings; all-inclusive community, social and youth events; interactive panel discussions; and unforgettable art exhibitions.
Hosts for the SBS 2 broadcast and more details on SBS programming around the event will be announced in the coming weeks.
