SBS Series 'The Family Law' Will Premiere on Facebook

Facebook and SBS are about to give Netflix, Stan and Presto and run for their money. For the first time ever, an Aussie TV show will premiere exclusively via Mark Zuckerberg’s communications empire — yep, on Facebook. And it’s not just any old show, it’s The Family Law — a six-part series based on Benjamin Law’s smash hit memoir.

When the first episode hits screens from 5pm on Friday, January 8, you’ll be watching it on your smartphone, tablet or laptop, rather than your TV. And nowhere else. It’ll be available only on Facebook until midnight, Sunday, January 10, before screening on SBS on Thursday, January 14 at 8.30pm.

“Facebook is fast becoming the place where people discover new video content,” says Jason Juma-Ross, Facebook's head of technology, entertainment and communications in Australia. “11 million Australians visit Facebook each day, 91 percent of these via a mobile phone. We are excited to be partnering with SBS on this first look event and to enable The Family Law to be shown on demand to the broad Facebook audience.”

Marshall Heald, director of TV and online content at SBS agrees. “As audiences move more freely between platforms and devices, we as a broadcaster have to move with them," he says. "We are constantly looking for new and innovative ways to bring SBS content to all Australians, and Facebook offers such a unique one-to-one viewing experience. The Family Law is one of SBS’s most hotly anticipated programs for 2016, and we’re thrilled to be able to surprise our audience by inviting them to meet The Laws early with this Australian-first Facebook premiere.”

The Family Law is screening on Facebook from 5pm on Friday, January 8. To let SBS know you’re joining the party, head to The Family Law event page.

Image: SBS.