VICELAND will be distributed in approximately 70 million homes, and will feature programming developed and produced entirely in-house by VICE. In Canada, Rogers will replace its current bio channel with Viceland, and offer cross-platform content aimed at an 18 to 34 demo. Additional details will be announced in the coming weeks.
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The edgy digital content studio, which co-founders Suroosh Alvi and Shane Smith launched in Montreal in 1994 with a print magazine, confirmed it has launched a 24/7 Canadian linear channel, scheduled to bow in winter 2016 and the official opening of a Vice Canada production studio in Toronto. Since the Rogers-VICE partnership was announced in October 2014, more than 100 writers, directors, editors, producers, and filmmakers have been hired to create sought-after, homegrown content for all screens, to be exported around the world. Following the November 5 announcement by Canada’s Rogers Media and Vice Media, we can give it a name: Viceland. “Through VICELAND and content from the new VICE Canada studio, we will fill this void, bringing viewers a unique programming experience unlike anything they’ve seen before”.
“It feels like most channels are just a collection of shows”, said Spike Jonze. And that works for Rogers, a traditional cable carrier needing a digitally-savvy partner to target elusive young audiences. “And if it doesn’t have a strong point of view then it shouldn’t be on this channel”.
“When H2 becomes Vice[land], Sling TV will carry it. The programmer is still finalizing the exact date, but I can confirm that we’ll get Vice at the same time as other distributors”, a Sling TV spokesperson told Gigaom via email. Also, when the channel launches it will carry a number of primetime shows, including Gaycation (Ellen Page, Ian Daniel) and Black Market (Michael K. Williams).
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Financial Times had reported the news on Tuesday. The series continues to be available via the Daily VICE app, available to Fido customers.
