A+E's Vice Channel Named Viceland, Sets Launch Date for Early 2016

11.03.2015

​The long-rumored 24-hour VICE channel is soon to be a reality.

A+E Networks announced Tuesday that H2 will be replaced by Viceland, launching in early 2016.

The TV network will be a joint venture with A+E, but will be programmed exclusively by VICE. Viceland, still a working title (and reminiscent of the just-departed Grantland), will take advantage of the multiplatform audience and distribution of the VICE brand in order to launch an on-air network along with digital and social outlets as well.

A+E Networks was attracted to the partnership because of VICE's long-standing relationship with younger audiences and multiplatform strategy.

"VICE has a bold voice and a distinctive model in the marketplace," said Nancy Dubuc, president and CEO of A+E Networks, in a statement. "This channel represents a strategic fit and a new direction for the future of our portfolio of media assets. Shane Smith has led VICE from a fledgling magazine into a global media brand and all of us at A+E are excited to work with him and his passionate and innovative team." VICE Co-Founder and CEO Shane Smith called the new network "the next step in the evolution of our brand and the first step in our global roll-out of networks around the world."

Smith added that the 24-hour channel lets its programming be "platform agnostic," so that its viewers can find VICE content anywhere, anytime, while also ramping up high-quality programming that can "challenge the accepted norms of current TV viewing."

"All in all, this new network allows us to continue our innovation in storytelling and content creation and take it to the next level," said Smith in a statement.

Viceland also plans on trying to find new monetization strategies for the network, including expanding VICE's history of online branded content to the linear network.

Writer/director and VICE partner Spike Jonze is overseeing the channel launch and helping to develop Viceland's brand identity.

"It feels like most channels are just a collection of shows," said Jonze. "We wanted Viceland to be different, to feel like everything on there has a reason to exist and a strong point of view. Our mission with the channel is not that different from what our mission is as a company: it's us trying to understand the world we live in by producing pieces about things we're curious about, or confused about, or that we think are funny. And if it doesn't have a strong point of view then it shouldn't be on this channel."

At launch, Viceland will have a primetime lineup of new series including Ellen Page's Gaycation, Eddie Huang's Huang's World, Zach Goldbaum's Noisey, Sal Masekela's VICE World of Sports, and Michael K. Williams' Black Market, Flophouse, Party Legends and Weediquette.

[Image courtesy of A+E Networks]