As part of a massive global expansion of the channel, Vice has announced an additional 50 countries will receive their free-to-air channel Viceland, with Australia being one of them. The move was mad possible thanks to SBS who will be gifting their vertical, SBS2, for the venture later this year.
With the hugely influential director and pop culture identity Spike Jonze as a co-president, it didn’t take long for Viceland to start pricking up ears for their ‘off the beaten track’ programming such as the explanatory Weediquette, Ellen Page travel series Gaycation, Action Bronson’s F*ck, That’s Delicious and just so much more.
It’s also been confirmed by Mediaweek that SBS2’s flagship news program The Feed will be making the jump to Viceland also.
Of the new venture, Michael Ebeid, SBS managing director and CEO says, “Exploring diversity through culture is at the heart of SBS’s purpose and we are excited to be partnering with VICE to bring some of the best available content from across the world, never before seen in Australia, in documentary, journalism and inspiring entertainment, free to all Australians on SBS channels and platforms.”
And Michael Slonim, his counterpart at VICE Australia adds, “This is a unique partnership that will help catapult VICE further into the consciousness of young Australians. SBS shares our storytelling sensibilities and curiosity about the world, and we’re delighted to be partnering up to bring Viceland to this market in the biggest way possible.”
An official launch date is sure to be announced soon.
