SBS Reveals Lineup for Next Season of Who Do You Think You Are?

Why It Matters

The season deepens audience engagement with personal heritage storytelling, reinforcing SBS’s reputation for culturally resonant documentary content and attracting advertisers targeting diverse Australian viewers.

Key Takeaways

• Eight high‑profile Australians explore ancestry across eight episodes
• Season premieres 12 May 2026 on SBS and SBS On Demand
• Multilingual subtitles and audio description broaden accessibility
• Stories address migration, trauma and hidden family secrets
• Series continues SBS’s long‑running, award‑winning documentary format

Pulse Analysis

The new season of “Who Do You Think You Are?” arrives at a time when genealogy and personal heritage are enjoying a surge in popularity, fueled by DNA testing kits and streaming platforms. SBS leverages this trend by pairing well‑known Australian personalities—such as singer‑songwriter Guy Sebastian and former Australian of the Year Rosie Batty—with compelling narratives that span continents from India to England. By showcasing diverse cultural roots and the emotional impact of uncovering hidden family histories, the series taps into viewers’ curiosity about identity while reinforcing the broadcaster’s commitment to inclusive storytelling.

Beyond entertainment, the programme serves a strategic purpose for SBS. The inclusion of subtitles in Arabic, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean, plus audio description, aligns with the network’s multicultural charter and expands its reach to under‑served audiences. Advertisers seeking to connect with Australia’s increasingly diverse consumer base will find the series an attractive platform, especially as each episode delivers emotionally resonant content that encourages social media conversation and repeat viewing on the on‑demand service.

From a production standpoint, the partnership with Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia ensures high‑quality visual storytelling and global distribution potential. The focus on themes such as migration, generational trauma and resilience resonates with broader societal discussions about belonging and reconciliation, particularly in the context of Indigenous representation through Aaron Pedersen’s NAIDOC‑week episode. As the series enters its 17th season, its sustained success underscores the enduring appetite for documentary formats that blend personal narrative with cultural insight.