Terms and Conditions

Competition: Sustainability Challenge

 
Intent of Challenge: As a sustainability leader, SBS is keen to partner with its advertising clients to encourage Australians to consume responsibly and pursue environmentally sustainable lifestyle behaviours and purchasing choices. The Sustainability Challenge is an opportunity for Australian brands and marketers to authentically promote their existing or new sustainable product/service/experience and in doing so, encourage new environmentally conscious consumer behaviours.

 
Entry Restrictions: Only entrants (individuals or groups) who are employed in
the following categories may enter:

Media, advertising, PR and creative agencies, entering with the explicit backing and approval of their client.
OR
Brand marketing teams can enter directly.

Any entry that is submitted without the proper authorisation or consent of a client (and where applicable, the agency at which the entrants work) will be ineligible to enter.

Other media organisations and publishers are not permitted to enter.

Upon entry, you must provide your work details, including work email address, so that we can verify you are employed by a company that is eligible to enter. Failure to do so may result in your entry being disqualified.
Competition Period: Commences: 00:30 AEST on 09/02/2026
Closes: 17:00 AEST on 19/03/2026 
Maximum Number of Entries: Entrants may submit as many entries as they wish, however each
entry must be unique and submitted via a separate online entry form and must independently comply with these Terms and Conditions.

 
Judging
Panel:		 At SBS’s discretion

How to enter:

  • During the Competition Period, entrants must go to www.sbsmedia.com.au/sustainabilitychallenge and follow the directions to complete the online entry form. Only online entries will be accepted.
  • Valid entries must include:
    • Online entry form completed including (but not limited to) name, work email address and phone number; and
    • Upload of a 30 sec TVC script; and
    • Max. 500-word rationale addressing the judging criteria.
  • Entries that exceed the 500-word limit may be disqualified at SBS’s discretion.
  • Entries will only be judged based on the script and rationale. Any additional material provided (e.g. storyboards) will not factor into the judge’s decision. If your entry is successfully shortlisted to progress to pitch stage, you will be able to bring additional material to support your entry (e.g. storyboards).
  • By entering the competition, you accept that should you win, you will be committed to produce an advertisement that reflects the winning pitch, and production costs associated with the development, creation and production of the TVC are at the entrant’s expense. SBS Media will require regular contact and review sessions to ensure the creative concept being produced is true to the winning pitch. The winning entrant will also be responsible for costs associated with obtaining CAD approval and delivery of the creative to SBS.
  • Brand marketing teams who wish to involve their Media, advertising, PR and or creative agencies in their entry must disclose this at the time of entry and provide SBS with an authorised contact for the agency.

Major Prize:

The winner of the SBS Sustainability Challenge will receive a $500,000 AUD (excluding GST) media package running from January 2027 for a maximum period of 12 months.

The campaign will run across SBS platforms of combined airtime and digital value, redeemable across all SBS channel networks (SBS, SBS VICELAND, SBS Food, NITV, SBS World Watch) and video pre rolls on SBS On Demand. World Movies is excluded. The airtime would run nationally across regional and metro, peak and off-peak time zones and valued at SBS base rate card.

  • The prize is not transferable or redeemable for cash.
  • The prize cannot be used for make-goods.
  • The prize does not count towards a client’s existing financial commitment to SBS, and the winner is not permitted to cancel or postpone any pre-existing paid advertising booked with SBS Media for the purpose of replacing that inventory with any of the advertising value of the prize.
  • Agency commission will not be payable on the airtime value.
  • The winning TVC will premiere on the SBS Network in January 2027 and will subsequently feature across SBS programming including but not limited to News and Current Affairs, Movies, Sport, Documentaries, Food and Drama.
  • The airtime value will be planned at the absolute discretion of SBS Media.
  • SBS reserves the right to not run the winning TVC in any program sponsored by a competitive brand.
  • All campaign entries should be based on a 30 sec script, however the winning campaign can include 15 sec, 45 sec and 60 sec executions that would be scheduled at SBS Media’s discretion.
  • The winning campaign can be a series of advertisements based on the winning script concept, subject to SBS Media’s approval.
  • The winning entry should be able to run in all dayparts and no guaranteed position in break will be offered.
  • The winning entrant agrees that the winning TVC will not appear on any media or published in any form prior to its launch on SBS.
  • Should the client wish, the script can be used to produce a radio advertisement, however production costs are at the entrant’s expense.The entrant is required to comply with all relevant provisions in the SBS Code of Practice (section 4.2), the SBS Commercial, Funding and External Relationships Guidelines (section 4.6) the SBS Advertising Terms and Conditions and all other relevant legal and regulatory requirements including the AANA Code of Ethics and the AANA Environmental Claims Code.

The Major Prize is valued up to $500,000 AUD exclusive of GST. The TV airtime would run nationally across regional and metro, peak and off-peak time zones and valued at SBS base rate card. Any BVOD activity would be Run of Network (RON), nationally with no additional targeting constraints.

Winner Selection:

After the closing date, the eligible entries will be shortlisted to no more than six finalists by a panel of judges.

The shortlisted entrants will be contacted by email on 30/03/2026 and invited to pitch their idea to the main judging panel with creative story boards and detailed production budget on 23/04/2026. All shortlisted entrants including clients must formally accept these Terms and Conditions in writing by email in order to proceed with their entry.

A representative/s (client and/or agency) of the shortlisted entrants will be required to pitch in person at SBS head office (14 Herbert Street, Artarmon NSW 2064), otherwise via video conference.

At the judging session, a panel of SBS and external judges will hear pitches from all shortlisted entrants and will then choose a single winner based on judging criteria.

Inability to attend the judging session may result in disqualification of the entry. The judges’ decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Judging of the Entries will be based on the below criteria and weighting:

  1. Authenticity and Innovation (25%): Authentically positions the brand as an innovative and sustainable product, service, or experience, encouraging new environmentally conscious consumer behaviours.
  2. Impact on Consumers (35%): The ability of the creative to inspire or motivate consumers to adopt environmentally sustainable behaviours through compelling awareness or education.
  3. Creative Excellence (20%): The creative has a clear and well thought through communications objective, is grounded in consumer insights, and effectively connects with the target audience.
  4. Sustainable Production (20%): The proposed production approach contains innovative, low-emissions and eco-friendly production methodologies central to the creative concept.

    Note: If you are shortlisted as a finalist, you will be required to provide a production budget and breakdown including a projected carbon footprint from AdGreen’s Carbon Calculator or similar tool, detailing your planned sustainable production approach to support your entry.

The judges may also choose not to select a shortlist or a winner if the number of entries overall is judged too low, at the complete discretion of SBS.

Prize Winner Notification:

The winner will be notified by email and phone. They will have until the 07/05/2026 to confirm they are willing and able to fulfil their commitment.

If the selected winner fails to redeem their prize by the above date,or fails to comply with these Terms and Conditions, SBS has the right to allocate the prize to the runner-up submission or alternatively, another shortlisted entry in the event the runner-up submission cannot proceed for any reason.

SBS Media will then provide the selected winner with a formal scope of work agreement , which the winner will be required to sign before any public announcement about the winner can be made.

SBS CulturalConnect are available to consult on production if required by the winner.

Prize withdrawal and/or selection of alternative winner.

In the unlikely event that the advertisement produced does not match the intention of the original winning pitch (decided by SBS, acting reasonably), or fails to comply with these Terms and Conditions, or the winner fails to agree to the formal scope of work, SBS reserves the right to withdraw the prize.

If SBS considers the winning entry is otherwise unable to deliver the advertisement, that entry will be deemed withdrawn, and the judges may choose a new winner.

General Terms and Conditions

  1. Entry into the Competition is deemed acceptance of these Terms and Conditions and is subject to the Entry Restrictions above. Information relating to the Competition and the above Schedule form part of the terms and conditions for the Competition.
  2. By entering into this competition, entrants also accept the SBS Advertising Terms and Conditions and the winning entry must be accompanied by a CAD approval number. The CAD approval number is an 8-digit code given by FreeTV Australia.
  3. To enter the Competition, entrants must complete the process outlined in the Entry Details during the Competition Period. Any entry received outside of the Competition Period will be deemed invalid.
  4. Entrants may enter the Competition up to the Maximum Number of Entries. Each entry must be submitted separately and meet the eligibility requirements.
  5. SBS reserves the right to request proof of identity, and proof of entry validity, in order to claim a Prize. Acceptance of proof of eligibility is at the discretion of SBS. In the event that an entrant cannot provide proof, their entry will be deemed invalid.
  6. All valid entries are automatically entered into the Winner Selection process, which will take place at the times and dates set out in the Schedule. Prize values are based upon the rate card value at the time of publishing these Terms and Conditions.
  7. The winner of this competition and or its nominated client or agency are not permitted to cancel or postpone any pre-existing paid advertising inventory booked with SBS Media in lieu of replacing that pre-existing inventory with any of the advertising value of this prize.
  8. The prize is awarded to the winning idea and brand. The prize cannot be transferred to a different campaign concept, or to a different brand.
  9. Neither SBS or it’s associated companies will be held liable for any loss, damage or injury that results directly or indirectly from the winner taking part in any aspect of the Prize. Where relevant, the winner agrees that they take full responsibility for any activities engaged in while travelling and engaging in the Prize package and will take out appropriate travel insurance.
  10. Copyright in all entries to this Competition are owned by the entrants, who grant SBS the right to review, distribute, and use their entries in accordance with these terms.
  11. The winner and shortlisted entrants must be available and agree to partake in publicity and promotion for the campaign.
  12. SBS reserves the right to disqualify any entrant submitting an entry which, in SBS’s opinion, includes objectionable content.
  13. All entries must be the original independent creation of the entrant and free of any claims that they infringe any third-party rights. Entries must not have been published previously and/or have been used to win prizes in any other competitions.
  14. Unless marked as confidential, entrants consent to their full names and/or their entries being used in all media by SBS. Entrants acknowledge and agree they may be required to participate in promotional activities while taking up the Prize.
  15. Unless marked as confidential, SBS may use entrants' names and details for promotional, marketing and publicity purposes. SBS may also be required to disclose your personal information to its contractors, agents, and partners.
  16. SBS takes no liability for any tax issues which may arise from accepting a Prize in this Competition. Consult an independent tax adviser if this is a concern.
  17. All details of the entrants will be used and preserved in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles and the SBS Privacy Policy. A request to access, update or correct any information should be directed to the SBS privacy contact officer.
  18. For the avoidance of doubt, SBS will not enter into negotiations with competition entrants and or their nominated media agency regarding:
    1. Campaign commencement/conclusion dates; or
    2. Pacing and spend profile within campaign dates; or
    3. Delivery structure of any digital ad products included in media package; or
    4. Specific BVOD impression targets; or
    5. Program, timeslot or channel selection.
  19. Media Value and Additional Placement Considerations:
    1. OVERALL
        1. Placement of media inventory will be at SBS’s discretion and must be used within a 12-month period, commencing in January 2027.
        2. All media inventory will be valued on SBS Base Rates.
        3. Value is based on dollar value and not audience value. SBS provides no audience guarantees.
        4. Not more than 60% TV and 40% BVOD. However, SBS reserves the right to adjust splits and monthly value based on market conditions, lead times and availability. Unable to provide access across Oct-Dec (our busiest quarter).
        5. Activity to be booked/scheduled at least 12 weeks in advance.
        6. Activity cancellations must be in writing for at least 4 weeks. Lost inventory or days cannot be made up if the creative is delayed. If the creative is delayed, SBS will reduce the value accordingly.
        7. Creative to be provided a minimum 5 business days before TX.
    2. TELEVISION
        1. No activity to be scheduled on SBS Main Peak for TV,
        2. Value to be scheduled across Metro and Regional markets at SBS's discretion.
        3. Special events (such as Tour de France, Eurovision, Handmaid’s Tale or other programming as decided by SBS) may be available for this campaign; they are subject to availability.
        4. TV Odd length ads valued as: 15 sec = 0.75 of 30 sec, 45 sec = 1.5 of a 30 sec, 60 sec = 2.0 of a 30 sec.TELEVISION
    3. BVOD
      1. Placement will be RON only, no additional targeting or constraints (such as geo-targeting) can be placed on the inventory.
      2. BVOD will be valued at $50 CPM.
      3. 15 and 30 sec will be valued at the same rate. 45 sec will be valued at 1.5 a 30 sec rate, and 60 sec will be at 2.0 a 30 sec rate.