93-683: Viceland (stylized in all caps; also known as Vice TV in the United States) is a brand used for television channels owned and programmed by Vice Media . The brand launched on February 29, 2016, with two cable channels in North America. The American version (rebranded from H2 ) is a joint venture majority-owned by A&E Networks (who owns a stake in Vice Media, alongside a separate ownership stake by A&E's co-owner, The Walt Disney Company ). A Canadian version (rebranded from
186-595: A news division, a film production studio, and a record label , among other properties. Vice re-located to New York City in 2001. Vice News was known for broadcasting news programs on HBO ; including the Emmy -winning weekly self-titled documentary series , which premiered in April 2013, and features segments on global issues hosted by co-founders Smith and Alvi, and a rotating cast of correspondents. A spin-off, Vice News Tonight , premiered 10 October 2016 and showcased
279-593: A 10% minority stake in VICE Media for $ 250 million, keeping VICE Media independent. The following April, it was announced that A&E's channel H2 would be rebranded as VICELAND, a lifestyle channel aimed at millennials. On 29 February 2016, VICE Media officially launched VICELAND with investment support by Disney and A&E. Disney has since increased their stake in VICE Media through A&E with two $ 200 million investments—the first in November 2015, followed by
372-690: A 5% stake. Following the announcement, Smith explained: "We have set ourselves up to build a global platform but we have maintained control." In 2013, Vice Media premiered a new 30-minute news program for HBO titled Vice , executive produced by Bill Maher . In 2014, the second season of the show won a Creative Arts Emmy Award for Outstanding Informational Series or Special in the 66th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards . In 2014, Vice Media launched its news channel, Vice News , which almost immediately gained global attention for its coverage of protests and conflict in Ukraine and Venezuela . As of October 2014,
465-632: A CDN$ 100 million joint venture with Canadian media conglomerate Rogers Communications , to build a studio in Toronto 's Liberty Village neighborhood for producing original content. Rogers holds the minority 30% stake of the Vice Canada Studio in Toronto. Rogers also announced an intent to launch Vice-branded television and digital properties in Canada in 2015. Rogers CEO Guy Laurence described
558-495: A Peabody Award for public service journalism in April 2018. On April 27, 2023 it was first announced that Vice Media was restructuring and downsizing its news division due to budget problems. This action included the cancellation of Vice News Tonight and other programs and the layoffs of dozens of employees. In a tweet made by the Vice Union, they criticized the company for repeated layoffs and expressed disappointment over
651-697: A Toronto studio it co-founded with Rogers); Vice co-founder Suroosh Alvi stated the programs were being produced Viceland would view its Canadian productions as being of global interest, as opposed to a regulatory obligation of little interest of non-Canadians; one-third of the network's first slate of original programming are Canadian productions from the new facility. In November 2017, Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail reported that Rogers intended to cease providing funding to Viceland in early 2018, citing inside reports of low viewership and unprofitability. Representatives of both companies declined to comment. On January 22, 2018, Rogers and Vice jointly announced
744-460: A burgeoning subculture with the advent of collectives such as Godspeed You! Black Emperor , Dummies Theatre , Bran Van 3000 and later Arcade Fire . They changed the name to Vice in 1996, and as the magazine became more successful, the company began to find it difficult to scale their operations while based in Canada. Following an investment of $ 4 million by Canadian investor Richard Szalwinski, Vice relocated to New York City in 1999. In 2001,
837-674: A cameraman going there. In 2012, Vice Media continued to expand its coverage focused around news and current events. With the end of VBS.tv, Vice began releasing films like UK's Scariest Debt Collector , Swansea Love Story, World's Scariest Drug and Inside the Superhuman World of the Iceman through their main website and YouTube channel, as well as new series like Slutever , Fringes , Love Industry and High Society . In mid-August 2013, Rupert Murdoch 's 21st Century Fox invested US$ 70 million in Vice Media, resulting in
930-499: A creative services agency, to expand their capabilities for work around their platforms. During this time, Santiago Stelley was the director of content of VBS.tv (2006–2010) and creative director of Vice Media (2010–2012). In January 2008, co-founder Gavin McInnes left Vice Media due to "creative differences" with the company, and founded the website streetcarnage.com . He later co-founded Rooster , an advertising agency, and became
1023-438: A daily news show on HBO Now premiering in 2016, 32 VICE-produced specials over four years, and an expansion of the existing show from 14 to nearly 30 episodes per year. "VICE" started its 5th season of weekly broadcasts on HBO under the expanded episode deal on Friday, 24 February 2017. In 2015, VICE partnered with several companies, including Verizon , Rogers Communications, Live Nation , Spotify and Snapchat , where VICE
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#17327978179501116-479: A domestic version of former A&E sibling, Bio ) operated as a Category A -licensed specialty channel majority-owned by Rogers Media ; it was discontinued on March 31, 2018. Operating under the creative direction of film director Spike Jonze , Viceland was a lifestyle-oriented channel that primarily aired documentary and reality series aimed towards millennials , with new original series, along with adaptations of and reruns of existing Vice web series . Some of
1209-463: A far-right activist, founding the Proud Boys . According to Columbia Journalism Review , Vice has altered shots during the editing process in pursuit of more entertaining or impressive scenes. In a 2011 documentary on Libya, a voiceover from the reporter claims that he had gone to the frontlines amidst an offensive, while in contrast a source claims the reporter did not make the trip, with only
1302-763: A few Dutch productions and was in the beginning of its existence in the news for having a documentary with Geert Wilders. In Belgium, Viceland Vlaanderen started with Telenet, the Flemish cableprovider majority owned by Liberty Global on March 1, 2017. Viceland Belgique, a French-speaking Belgian version of Viceland started on June 1, 2017, together with the launch of the Dutch version on the national IPTV provider Proximus. In October 2017 also VOO (operator for French speaking Belgium) and provider Orange started distributing Viceland giving Viceland national distribution in Belgium. In
1395-849: A future where its owners and executives stopped trying to turn it into a leprechaun's pot of gold and just allowed it to be a good website. [...] Instead of protecting it as responsible stewards, they treated it more or less the way Paul Cicero treated the Bamboo Lounge in Goodfellas , fattening themselves at its expense until there was nothing left to rob, and then burning it to the ground". In April 2024, Vice Media sold Refinery29 to Essence magazine owner Sundial Media Group. Later that month, Vice Media announced it had restructured its global production business, now called Vice Studios Group, into five units: Pulse Films, UnTypical (formerly Vice Studios), Vice Studios LatAm, Vice Studios Canada and
1488-461: A goal of reaching 20,000 subscribers within a year. Vice began as a print magazine and website focused on arts, culture and news topics. It was Founded in 1994 in Montreal , Quebec , Canada. As of April 2017, the magazine's editor-in-chief was Ellis Jones. The magazine switched to a quarterly publication schedule in 2018, though issues still generally explored a single theme. The publication
1581-550: A half-hour newsmagazine known as Vice , with Bill Maher as executive producer. The initial season saw international coverage for the season one finale that had Vice play an exhibition basketball game in North Korea with Dennis Rodman and the Harlem Globetrotters . The show was renewed for a second season, which aired in 2014 and won an Emmy award for Outstanding Informational Series or Special. The show
1674-616: A new investigation into a $ 135,000 settlement from a case the company paid in 2016 to a former employee who alleged she was fired after turning him down, and the suspension of Mike Germano, who had served as chief digital officer. Germano founded Carrot Creative, which was acquired by Vice in 2013; he was accused of pulling a former colleague onto his lap at a company party, as well as telling his former strategist Amanda Rue he originally did not want to hire her "because he wanted to have sex with her." Vice has also been criticized by current and former employees for featuring work by Terry Richardson ,
1767-653: A new long-term output deal with Bell Media , with its programming being aired by Bell platforms such as Crave and Much . On March 9, 2016, Vice Media announced that it would launch Viceland in the United Kingdom in September 2016 as part of a partnership with Sky , marking its first international launch. This includes carriage on its satellite and over-the-top Now TV services, access to Vice apps on Sky Q set-top boxes, and timed exclusivity for video-on-demand/ Sky Go access. Sky will handle advertising sales for
1860-458: A new series with HBO, "VICE", in which Smith and other VICE correspondents cover news stories from around the globe. The show's second season won an Emmy for Outstanding Informational Series or Special. The show was picked up for two more 14-episode seasons by HBO in May 2014, which aired in 2015 and 2016. Based on the success of the weekly show, in 2015 HBO and VICE announced an expanded deal including
1953-415: A news documentary unit. Vice Studios Group will be led by Jamie Hall and Danny Gabai as co-presidents. In May, Vice Media announced it will create a joint venture with Savage Venture to relaunch its websites, such as Vice.com, Munchies , Motherboard , and Noisey . In September, Vice Media relaunched its print magazine which had been on hiatus since 2019. Issues will be released quarterly. The company has
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#17327978179502046-460: A nightly roundup of global news, technology, the environment , economics, and pop culture while eschewing traditional news anchors. On 10 June 2019, HBO announced Vice News Tonight' s cancellation, in addition to ending relations with Vice Media, after a seven-year partnership. In August 2019, it was reported that the company was laying off staff as part of a shift towards news that would involve merging Viceland and Vice News. In April 2023, it
2139-554: A number of international deals that, by the end of 2017, will make its programs available in over 50 new territories, over 80 in total. In 2015, Canadian Business placed him on "Canada's Richest People", claiming his net worth to be at $ 1.27 billion. From 2016, Smith resided in Santa Monica, California , with his wife, Tamyka, and his three daughters. In 2021, his wife Tamyka filed for divorce. Smith's work on VICE's HBO show won him an Emmy award in 2014, as well as
2232-526: A photographer facing accusations of sexual abuse by multiple models. In another documentary, a former female employee covering a story about sex workers in a developing country said Vice attempted to "sensationalize and exploit" the women depicted. In one occasion, producers requested her to go undercover as a prostitute, which she refused. She also remarks being oriented to swear more while on camera. In March 2018, Vice Media co-founder Shane Smith announced he would no longer continue as CEO and would take on
2325-482: A possible sale to a consortium of lenders including Fortress Investment Group , which would, alongside Soros Fund Management and Monroe Capital, invest $ 225 million as a credit bid for nearly all of its assets. The following month, Vice accepted the consortium's increased offer of $ 350 million prior to the bankruptcy auction. The company drew criticism for generous executive compensation packages while employees dealt with layoffs and unpaid company bills. The sale
2418-704: A result of the deal, Vice Media was valued at $ 5.7 billion. In September 2018, Disney wrote down its investment in Vice by $ 157 million. Disney acquired Fox's stake in Vice when its acquisition of 21st Century Fox completed in March 2019. On 23 December 2017, The New York Times reported that there had been four settlements involving allegations of sexual harassment or defamation against Vice employees. In addition, over 20 other women stated that they had experienced or witnessed sexual misconduct , including unwanted kisses, groping, lewd remarks and propositions for sex at
2511-473: A second 10% investment of $ 200 million in Vice Media to support the production of new programming. Thirty different programs were developed for Viceland, including original series and expanded versions of existing Vice's web series. Original programs announced for the initial slate included Thomas Morton 's Balls Deep , Flophouse — a series where Lance Bangs follows the lives of up-and-coming comedians at underground stand-up events, F**k, That's Delicious —
2604-414: A series in which Michael K. Williams explores underground economies around the world, the U.S. premieres of Cyberwar and Dead Set on Life , Party Legends — a show about re-enactments of entertaining party stories, WOMAN — a series in which Gloria Steinam features the lives of different women around the world, and VICE Does America — which Abdullah Saeed and two Vice co-workers explore forgotten places of
2697-400: A sufficient scale in Canada at the time. The company believed that Rogers' investment in Vice helped to better achieve these goals. Viceland's programming consists primarily of lifestyle-oriented documentaries and reality series aimed towards millennials , directed in Vice's trademark style of "character-driven documentaries". Creative director Spike Jonze stated that his goal for Viceland
2790-526: A television version of the food-oriented web series starring Action Bronson , Gaycation — a series in which Elliot Page explores the LGBT cultures of different regions, Huang's World — featuring Eddie Huang "exploring identity using food as an equalizer", King of the Road— a series following skaters on Thrasher Magazine's annual scavenger hunt, States of Undress — a series focusing on fashion weeks around
2883-544: A termination of their partnership, with the Viceland channel discontinued on March 31, 2018. Vice inherited complete ownership of the Toronto production studio and the original content produced for the channel as the Vice website will stream Viceland's programming in Canada. Plans for a French-language channel were also dropped; V Media Group will feature Vice content in French on its channels. On August 16, 2018, Vice announced
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2976-399: A unified Vice News division consisting of Vice News , the weekly HBO Vice show, and the daily Vice News Tonight . Vice News creates content daily, distributing written articles and video on its website and YouTube channel. In 2015, the channel won two Peabody Awards for its video series The Islamic State and Last Chance High . In 2013, HBO aired the first 10-episode season of
3069-495: A warehouse space in Williamsburg that had been occupied by the independent arts spaces and concert venues 285 Kent , Death by Audio and Glasslands , among others. Vice and the building property owners facilitated the clearance of the building and the displacement of the existing creative tenants. Vice spent US$ 20 million to renovate the 60,000-square-foot (5,600 m ) building as part of an eight-year lease, facilitating
3162-425: Is a Canadian journalist and media executive. He is executive chairman of the international media company Vice Media , operating an international network of digital channels, a television production studio, a record label, an in-house creative services agency, a book-publishing house, and a feature film division. Smith served as CEO of Vice from its founding until March 2018. Former A+E Networks CEO Nancy Dubuc
3255-631: Is now available on Virgin Media channel 219. A temporary duplicate launched on channel 191 on Virgin Media at midnight on July 22, 2018, a slot previously vacated by W HD prior to the UKTV channels' removals, until the network was restored on August 11, 2018. The channel was removed from Virgin Media on July 20, 2020. The channel closed on May 1, 2021. Viceland started broadcasting in the Netherlands and Flanders on March 1, 2017, initially exclusively to
3348-556: The Snapchat Discover platform. The first program planned under the new deal was Hungry Hearts with Action Bronson , starring the titular rapper. That same month, Vice announced a wide range of content deals which would make its programming available in more than 80 territories by the end of 2017. In June 2017, Vice secured a $ 450 million investment from private-equity firm TPG Capital to increase spending on scripted programming and ongoing international expansion. As
3441-576: The Special Broadcasting Service (Australia), Econet Media (sub-Saharan Africa), The Times Group (India), Moby Media Group (Middle East), Multi Channels Asia (Southeast Asia), Sky Network Television (New Zealand), V Media Group (Canada, French-language), Canal+ (France), Ziggo (Netherlands) and Telenet (Belgium). Vice holds a 49% minority stake and control of international expansions, except in Australia ; where
3534-596: The 2011 documentary Page One: Inside the New York Times . In a 2014 Time column, Carr said that Vice had since grown into a strong news entity. In August 2014, Carr published a New York Times column further reversing his earlier criticism of Vice, saying: "Being the crusty old-media scold felt good at the time, but recent events suggest that Vice is deadly serious about doing real news that people, yes, even young people, will actually watch." On 2 July 2014, Vice Media announced that it would be relocating into
3627-676: The Azimuth Music Festival in Saudi Arabia , less than two years after Vice paused all work in Saudi Arabia following the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi . Vice's brand was not used on marketing material, and contractors had to sign non-disclosure agreements regarding Vice's involvement. Vice opened a commercial and creative office in Riyadh in 2022. On 2 October 2020, Vice Media Group appointed Nadja Bellan-White as
3720-781: The Netherlands and Flanders, the television channel was renamed to Vice TV on November 1, 2019. Vice TV ceased existing in the Netherlands and Flanders on August 24, 2020. A Viceland programming block was aired on Outdoor Channel in Malaysia from August 2016. Vice Media Vice Media Group LLC is a Canadian-American digital media and broadcasting company. As of April 2024, Vice Media encompasses four main business areas: Vice Studios Group (film and TV production); Vice TV (a joint venture with A&E Networks , also known as Viceland ); Virtue (an agency offering creative services); and Vice Digital (digital content). It
3813-604: The Vice Films brand. Distributed by Netflix The MTV series The Vice Guide to Everything , which premiered in December 2010, was a weekly news magazine featuring short video segments on various global issues, hosted by Shane Smith and roster of correspondents. The segments sought to cater to a younger audience with a more condensed, entertaining approach to the news. The series aired until 2011. Shane Smith (journalist) Shane Smith (born 28 September 1969)
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3906-592: The ad industry's keyword blacklist of 25 terms. On 3 May 2019, Vice Media announced that it raised $ 250 million in debt from George Soros and other investors. In October, Vice Media announced that it was acquiring Refinery29 . The deal, worth a reported $ 400 million, valued the combined company at $ 4 billion. In May 2020, Vice Media announced they were laying off more than 150 staff due to financial difficulties. In June 2020, Vice Media launched an investigation into allegations of subsidiary Refinery29's toxic work environment . In March 2020, Vice Media organized
3999-401: The affected employees, implying a divergence from the company's past identity as a respected media organization. Vice 's U.S cable television network, operated by Vice Media, primarily features documentary-style programs targeted toward millennials . Originally known as Viceland , branded TV networks operate under partnership with local cable and free-to-air television providers in
4092-483: The cable-operator Ziggo , owned by VodafoneZiggo . Viceland had concluded a deal with Liberty Global , 50% owner of VodafoneZiggo. On June 15, 2017, Viceland started with the local cable operator Caiway . Only on July 18, 2018, Viceland managed to obtain distribution with KPN , a national provider and competitor to Ziggo, resulting in nationwide availability. At the same time distribution started with T-Mobile Thuis , another national operator. Viceland Nederland produces
4185-470: The channel has featured less programming from Vice. A Canadian version launched concurrently with the U.S. version as a relaunch of The Biography Channel , with Rogers Media as a managing partner. Separately, plans were made with V Media Group to create a channel in French Canada. To comply with Canadian content regulations, it also produced some of its own programming (sourced primarily from
4278-637: The channel is wholly-owned and operated by the SBS . The American version is operated by a joint venture with A&E Networks , (itself a stake owner of Vice Media ) and originally replaced H2 . A month after its initial launch, the U.S. version of the network announced a second slate of shows, including Traveling the Stars: Action Bronson and Friends Watch 'Ancient Aliens' —a series in which Action Bronson watches episodes of Ancient Aliens with guests whilst smoking marijuana, Black Market —
4371-596: The channel which is available in Ireland. Low ratings were reported of the British and Irish version, where some programs premiered to viewership so low that they failed to register ratings. A Sky representative defended the channel, noting the steady growth and accolades of the U.S. network. On July 17, 2017, Viceland launched a block of late night anime in partnership with Anime Limited . Viceland changed its name to Vice on TV in 2018. As of July 21, 2018, Vice on TV
4464-604: The channel's main goal was "trying not to be shitty". Viceland originally focused primarily on lifestyle content; in the U.S., Vice News content (including its series Vice News Tonight ) would remain largely exclusive to Vice's existing joint venture with HBO. Jonze stated that unlike the HBO content, Viceland would be "far from objective [reporting]". Vice Media plans to enter into similar partnerships in international markets to further expand Viceland. The Walt Disney Company , who co-owns A&E Networks with Hearst Corporation , made
4557-888: The co-founders bought Vice back and moved to new offices in Williamsburg, Brooklyn . In 2006, on the advice of creative director Spike Jonze , Vice began expanding into digital video, launching new video service VBS.tv as a joint venture with MTV Networks . VBS gained a fan base with shows like The Vice Guide To Travel , Epicly Later'd , Toxic and Hamilton's Pharmacopeia . In 2007, Vice Media began expanding its digital video operation, launching new channels, such as Motherboard (tech), Noisey (music), and The Creators Project, an arts/technology site founded in partnership with Intel . Vice Media would later launch sites around electronic music culture ( Thump ), global news ( Vice News ), food ( Munchies ) and sports ( Vice Sports ). Additionally, Vice Media launched Virtue Worldwide,
4650-402: The company faced problems with turning an annual profit and finding a buyer. Bruce Dixon and Hozefa Lokhandwala were appointed co-CEOs on 27 February, a few days after Dubuc's departure. It was announced in April 2023 that Vice Media was restructuring and downsizing its Vice News division due to budget problems. This action included the cancellation of Vice News Tonight and other programs and
4743-493: The company, and The New York Times has described Smith as "a cross between a punk rocker and Fortune 500 Executive ". In 2006, on the advice from the company's creative director Spike Jonze , VICE Media began expanding into digital video . This led to a massive expansion of VICE into new channels, including a partnership with Intel in 2010 for The Creators Project, as well as deals with partners like Viacom , YouTube , and HBO, led by Smith. In April 2013, VICE started
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#17327978179504836-440: The company. In a statement provided to The New York Times , Vice co-founders Shane Smith and Suroosh Alvi said, "from the top down, we have failed as a company to create a safe and inclusive workplace where everyone, especially women, can feel respected and thrive." In January 2018, Vice's COO/CFO Sarah Broderick sent a memo to staff on 2 January 2018 announcing President Creighton had volunteered to go on temporary leave whilst
4929-416: The content produced for VBS.tv, resulting in the creation of television specials that compiled content from the service (in the U.S., these aired on MTV2 ). Vice later produced a series for MTV, The Vice Guide to Everything . In 2013, Vice premiered a self-titled newsmagazine series for HBO . The following year, HBO's parent company Time Warner expressed interest in acquiring a stake in Vice, and proposed
5022-454: The editor of BBC Radio 1's Newsbeat claimed the BBC was "playing catch-up" to Vice News. Vice Media has routinely advocated for their "immersionist" brand of journalism in the pursuit of more authentic and interesting stories. Their founders and editors have regularly garnered controversy from the likes of The New York Times ' David Carr , who bristled in an exchange with Shane Smith in
5115-409: The environment, economics and pop culture, while eschewing the use of live TV anchors. In November 2015, Vice and A&E Networks announced Viceland , a then-upcoming cable network that would feature Vice-produced content. On 14 March 2017, Vice announced an expanded original programming deal with Snap Inc . The new deal built on Vice's previous deal to serve as a 2015 global launch partner on
5208-579: The environment, economics and pop culture, while eschewing the use of live TV anchors. Following the violent protests by white supremacists , white nationalists and other groups at the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia , Vice News Tonight broke from its normal newsmagazine format to devote an entire episode to a documentary film on the events. The episode aired the same weekend as
5301-587: The establishment of new production facilities with full broadcast capabilities, and received an offer of US$ 6.5 million in tax credits from New York state's Empire State Development. In August 2014, A&E Networks , a television group jointly owned by The Walt Disney Company and Hearst Corporation , made a US$ 250-million investment in Vice Media for an ownership stake of 10%. In November and December 2015, Disney made two additional individual investments of US$ 200 million totalling $ 400 million. On 26 March 2015, HBO announced it would renew its contract to broadcast
5394-548: The evening, accompanied by footage of Vice executives answering the viewer-contributed calls as voice mail . The first program following the countdown was the series premiere of Noisey , following hip-hop musician Kendrick Lamar . In June 2016, Shane Smith announced at the Cannes Lions Festival that Vice Media had reached deals with local broadcasters to expand into 44 countries with the launch of editorial properties and localized Viceland networks. These include
5487-493: The following regions: The channel is available through cable providers as well as OTT services. Viceland was formerly available as a dedicated channel in Canada, through a partnership with Rogers Communications ; however, this channel was shut down in March 2018 due to low viewership. In August 2018, Vice signed a new content deal with Bell Media to relaunch Vice-branded content in Canada on various Bell-owned properties including Much and CraveTV . In August 2019, it
5580-565: The global CMO, to be in charge of worldwide branding, communications and promotions. It was also announced that Meera Pattni had been promoted to VP Communications, directly reporting to Bellan-White. In April 2021, Van Scott, former ABC News communications executive, joined Vice as VP Corporate Communications to lead communications in the US. Scott would report to Laura Misselbrook, Global SVP Communications, based in London. In April 2021, Vice Media
5673-406: The layoffs of dozens of employees. On 1 May 2023, The New York Times reported that Vice was preparing to file for bankruptcy . According to Deadline , Vice's primary debt-holder, Fortress Investment Group , would likely take control of Vice Media as a result of any Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. Two weeks later, on 15 May, Vice Media formally filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as part of
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#17327978179505766-407: The loss of entire teams. They described the layoffs as part of a pattern where Vice has let go of many who have significantly contributed to the company's success. The Union also condemned the manner of the layoff announcements, which were made via a livestream without opportunity for dialogue and where the executives scarcely acknowledged the ongoing layoffs. The Vice Union has affirmed its support for
5859-575: The magazine Voice of Montreal in October 1994 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada with government funding, to cover music, art, trends and drug culture not covered in print. The magazine was an alternative to the Montreal Mirror , then perceived as too mainstream by the Montreal alternative English-speaking scene. During the 1990s, Montreal's Plateau Mont-Royal / Mile-End neighbourhood was home to
5952-553: The network launched Vice Live— a two-hour " variety show " aired Monday–Thursday nights from Vice's Brooklyn headquarters, which featured coverage of the day's trends, reports from Vice's international bureaus, guest appearances, as well as other freeform content. The show was cancelled on April 15. That month, Viceland also premiered Dark Side of the Ring , a documentary series on controversial events in professional wrestling . The series would become Viceland's highest-rated premiere, and
6045-450: The network's launch programs were hosted by existing Vice personalities such as Action Bronson and Thomas Morton , as well as notable figures such as Eddie Huang , Elliot Page , and Lance Bangs . Vice's first foray into television was VBS.tv , an online video joint venture with Viacom 's MTV Networks division (specifically, MTV and Logo TV ). As part of the venture, MTV Networks had international television distribution rights for
6138-487: The network's name and a phone number that, when called, invited viewers to contribute answers to questions. Pre-launch programming for Viceland began on February 29, 2016, at 5:00 a.m. ET in Canada (with Bar Talk , a one-hour special hosted by Vice Canada's head of content Patrick McGuire), and on the same day at 6:00 a.m. ET in the United States, broadcasting a countdown clock to the official launch later in
6231-494: The new title of Executive Chairman. Former A+E Networks CEO Nancy Dubuc succeeded Smith as CEO. "Smith will now be focused on creating content and strategic deals and partnerships to help grow the company." On 20 August 2018, Vice's Munchies and Fremantle Media signed a deal with Triple Five Group to gain control of the food hall at American Dream Meadowlands. The food hall was expected to open in April 2019. In November 2018, The Wall Street Journal reported that Vice Media
6324-564: The political dysfunction in the United States during the Obama presidency. The 75-minute program features Smith interviewing influential US politicians including President Obama, former Speaker of the House John Boehner and former House Majority Leader Eric Cantor to understand the development of excessive polarization and gridlock, culminating in the 2016 presidential election. It was nominated for an Emmy award. In June 2014, it
6417-442: The possibility of Vice taking over its struggling cable news channel HLN , and revamping it as a millennial -focused service drawing from its own content. However, the deal fell through due to concerns regarding editorial control. On August 29, 2014, A&E Networks —a joint venture of Hearst Corporation and The Walt Disney Company —acquired a 10% minority stake in Vice Media for $ 250 million. On October 30, 2014, Vice announced
6510-570: The president's first historic visit to a federal prison, interviewing Obama along with five non-violent drug offenders at El Reno Prison . He also conducted the first public interview with the Eagles of Death Metal following the 2015 terrorist shooting at their show at the Bataclan in Paris that left 89 dead. On 9 December 2016, HBO broadcast "Vice Special Report: A House Divided", which explores
6603-421: The proposed studio as "a powerhouse for Canadian digital content focused on 18- to 34-year-olds" which would be "exciting" and "provocative". In 2015, Rogers-owned television network City introduced Vice on City —an anthology series featuring short-form content produced by Vice's Canadian outlets and reporters. The Vice company had previously moved from Montreal to New York City due to difficulties in reaching
6696-418: The rally, 14 August 2017. Charlottesville: Race and Terror garnered critical praise, with Esquire urging readers to "watch it and share it". In addition to featuring the video on its subscription streaming channels, HBO agreed to post the entire video on YouTube. Within two weeks, it had more than 44 million views between HBO and online platforms and received many positive reviews. The episode received
6789-445: The second a week later in December 2015—for a roughly 10% stake to assist in funding programming and growth. Smith, in interviews, has mentioned the possibility of VICE going public , saying in a 2015 interview: "There hasn't been a media company like this to go public in 15 years… the markets would love it", and he told CNBC in 2016 that "it's the best time in history to be a content creator ." On 22 June 2016, VICE Media unveiled
6882-400: The weekly Vice documentary series for four years, while expanding the annual broadcast schedule from 14 to nearly 30 episodes. The network also announced Vice would be launching a nightly news program. The show, entitled Vice News Tonight , premiered on 10 October 2016 and was planned to run 48 weeks each year, featuring pre-edited video and graphics segments covering global news, technology,
6975-708: The world, the music documentary series Noisey , Vice World of Sports , and Weediquette — which focuses on the mainstream cannabis culture and industry. Blocks of existing short-form content from Vice ( Vice Lab ) are also featured, along with other, acquired content— such as Friday-night airings of cult films accompanied by Vice Guide to Film documentaries on their directors. Ten of the thirty original programs planned were produced in Canada, including Cyberwar — which focuses on cyberterrorism , and Dead Set on Life — an expansion of Matty Matheson's food-oriented web series Keep It Canada . Prior to its North American launch, Vice ran newspaper ads for Viceland, containing only
7068-413: The world. In October 2016, the network launched a late-night talk show , Desus & Mero , hosted by Desus Nice and The Kid Mero . The program ran through June 2018, when it was cancelled after the duo signed with Showtime to host a rebooted version (which premiered in early-2019). In 2019, Viceland began to pivot its U.S. operations to include a larger focus on news programming: on February 29,
7161-474: The world. Its five key businesses were listed as: Vice.com (digital content); Vice Studios (film and TV production); Vice TV; Vice News; and Virtue (an agency offering creative services). In September 2021, it was reported that Vice raised another investment round following cancelled plans to go public via special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) . In January 2023, Vice began exploring the possibility of selling itself. On 24 February 2023, Dubuc left as CEO as
7254-631: The youth magazine Voice of Montreal in 1994 and changed its name to Vice in 1996 after they bought out their publisher. The magazine was originally funded by the Government of Canada as part of a welfare program. After being acquired in 1999 and moving to New York City, Smith and his co-founders bought VICE back and moved to Williamsburg, Brooklyn in 2001. Initially publishing print articles based on offbeat alternative culture , VICE moved to creating news content and social criticism on multiple media platforms in 2006. Smith remains an owner of
7347-483: Was a launch partner for Snapchat's "Discover" platform. As a journalist Smith has travelled to locations including North Korea, Iran, Afghanistan, Libya, Kashmir, Liberia, Sudan, and Greenland, initially for the 2006 online TV series VICE Guide to Travel . Smith has continued to serve as a correspondent for VICE, appearing in online content as well as the host of VICE's HBO show and VICE Special Reports. In 2015, Smith accompanied US President Barack Obama as part of
7440-549: Was announced that Vice Media was restructuring and downsizing its news division. A month later, Vice filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and agreed to be acquired by a consortium led by Fortress Investment Group for $ 350 million in June. In February 2024, CEO Bruce Dixon announced additional layoffs and that Vice.com would cease publishing content. Vice has since partnered with other media companies, such as Savage Ventures, to distribute its content. Voice of Montreal
7533-405: Was cited as the largest independent youth media company in the world, with 35 offices. The original Vice magazine was founded and based in Montreal and co-founded by Suroosh Alvi , Shane Smith , and Gavin McInnes. Developed from the magazine, Vice Media expanded primarily into youth and young adult-focused digital media. This included online content verticals and related web series ,
7626-455: Was closed in August 2023. Lokhandwala resigned as co-CEO in December, leaving Bruce Dixon as sole CEO. On 22 February 2024, CEO Bruce Dixon announced "several hundred" additional layoffs as part of a company restructuring. Dixon also announced that the Vice.com website would no longer publish content, instead partnering with other media companies to distribute its content, and that the company
7719-540: Was criticized by Cambodians for photoshopping images of the victims of the Khmer Rouge Genocide . Some victims had smileys photoshopped onto their faces. Vice later admitted to the images being photoshopped and said that "We regret the error and will investigate how this failure of the editorial process occurred." In March 2021, it was claimed that "VICE Media Group is the world's largest independent youth media company", with offices in 35 cities across
7812-684: Was discussing the sale of Refinery29 . The New York Times highlighted that "over the past half-decade, Vice has had near annual layoffs and mounting losses, and has filed for bankruptcy, making it the poster child for the battered digital-media industry" and that while "some observers hoped its new owners [...] would reinvest" in the company, Fortress Investment Group had instead "decided to make sweeping cuts". Chris Thompson of Defector commented that "admirers of Vice's journalism—Vice News and Motherboard, both of which were largely kerploded during Vice's bankruptcy, had made themselves essential with years of excellent reporting—have long daydreamed about
7905-479: Was founded by Alix Laurent of Images Intercultural which was mandated with promoting Black History Month in Montreal. Gavin was on a welfare work program through that company. The trio eventually borrowed money from their parents to buy out Laurent and subsequently changed the name to Vice to avoid confusion with the Village Voice. Vice Media founders Shane Smith , Suroosh Alvi and Gavin McInnes launched
7998-637: Was looking to trim its workforce by 10–15%, relying on attrition rather than layoffs. The same month, CEO Nancy Dubuc told an audience at The New York Times Dealbook conference that Vice would return to profitability the following year. In March 2019, it was reported that Vice Media was looking to raise another $ 200 million in funding. On 1 May 2019, Vice consolidated many of its web channels back into one central platform turning them into feature sections. The move included independent Munchies , Noisey , Motherboard , Broadly , Free , Amuse , Tonic , Waypoint , and Vice Sports . Vice also ended its block on
8091-853: Was named CEO 13 March 2018. In his role as Executive Chairman, "Smith will now be focused on creating content and strategic deals and partnerships to help grow the company." Shane Smith was born in Ottawa , Ontario , in 1969. He attended the Lisgar Collegiate Institute and later graduated from Carleton University with a degree in English literature and political science . Before Vice, Smith went to university in Ottawa, played in local punk bands, and travelled around Eastern Europe before moving to Montreal . Smith, Suroosh Alvi , and Smith's childhood friend Gavin McInnes founded
8184-431: Was picked up for two more 14-episode seasons by HBO in May 2014, which aired in 2015 and 2016. The program is currently in its fifth season, which was expanded to a total of 30 episodes. In October 2016, a second Vice News program, a nightly news program called Vice News Tonight , premiered. The program is slated to run 48 weeks each year, featuring pre-edited video and graphics segments covering global news, technology,
8277-410: Was put on hiatus in 2019 and relaunched five years later. Vice News was Vice's current affairs brand. It consisted of ViceNews.com, and two HBO programs; the weekly documentary series Vice , and the nightly news series Vice News Tonight . Vice News focuses on coverage of events that may not be as well covered by other news sources. On 24 May 2016, Vice Media promoted Josh Tyrangiel to oversee
8370-612: Was renewed for a second season. After HBO ended its partnership with Vice News, Vice News Tonight was subsequently picked up by Viceland. In February 2020, in the lead-up to the program's re-launch, the U.S. network was quietly renamed Vice TV . On November 15, 2016, Australian public broadcaster Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) re-launched its SBS2 channel as SBS Viceland . The re-branded channel initially featured Viceland's programming and other newly commissioned content, alongside original news, entertainment, and sports programming carried over from its previous branding. In recent years,
8463-469: Was reported that Time Warner was negotiating to acquire a minority stake in VICE Media; among the company's plans were to give Vice Media control over the programming of HLN—a spin-off network of CNN which had recently struggled in its attempts to re-focus itself as a younger-skewing, social media-oriented news service. However, the deal fell through as the companies were unable to agree on a proper valuation, and VICE Media partnered with A&E Networks for
8556-640: Was reported that Vice media is moving Viceland toward news and away from entertainment and other lifestyle programming, and has plans to merge Viceland with Vice News. Untypical , formerly Vice Studios , is the film and TV production division of Vice Media. Since 2007, it has released documentaries and narrative films through the Vice Films label. Its first theatrical release was White Lightnin' in 2009. On 8 December 2014, 20th Century Fox and Vice Media announced they would collaborate to finance, produce, distribute, market and acquire narrative films under
8649-477: Was to make its lineup have "a reason to exist and a strong point of view", rather than be just a "collection of shows". Jonze explained that Viceland would continue to reflect Vice's core mission of "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." Vice co-founder and CEO Shane Smith stated that
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