H2 will become VICELAND


Details

Michelle Clancy

| 05 November 2015





A+E Networks is to transition H2 to VICELAND, a 24-hour channel, in early 2016.


VICELAND will be distributed in approximately 70 million homes, and will feature programming developed and produced entirely in-house by VICE.

"VICE has a bold voice and a distinctive model in the marketplace," said Nancy Dubuc, president and CEO at A+E Networks. "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."

Oscar-winning writer/director Spike Jonze, a long-time VICE partner and creative director for the company, has been overseeing the development of the new channel, from show creation, to production, to 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."

VICELAND will launch with a full slate of prime time shows, including Gaycation (with Ellen Page and Ian Daniel), Huang's World (with Eddie Huang), Noisey (with Zach Goldbaum), VICE World Of Sports (with Sal Masekela), Black Market (with Michael Williams), Flophouse, Party Legends and Weediquette (with Krishna Andavolu).

This spring, HBO and VICE Media announced a major news partnership that will significantly expand VICE's programming for HBO subscribers over the next four years, including a daily newscast and specials. Additionally, the deal covers a VICE-branded channel on the HBO NOW streaming service.