Vice launching in 51 countries

Global youth brand Vice has unveiled an expansive slate of international deals designed to cement further its status as the world’s leading youth media brand, while making its multi-screen programming available to audiences across 51 territories.

Vice Founder and CEO Shane Smith announced a series of digital, mobile and linear deals with a roster of media partners that will significantly increase the youth brand’s international footprint, ushering in new audiences, new revenue streams across production, licensing and advertising, and new local studios and channels.

The deals range from three-screen market entries in India and the Middle East, to 24-hour TV channels across Australia and New Zealand (to complement existing local digital and mobile businesses), to a stand-alone TV channel across Southeast Asia, and a linear-first venture in Africa.

Shane Smith, CEO and founder of Vice said: “People don’t like to believe me. Maybe it’s because I drink too much. Mebbe cuz I’m a story teller. But today I have something to confess; I am a liar. I lied. Earlier this year it was widely reported that I announced that we would launch Viceland in 12 countries in 12 months and that is not true. We will in fact be launching in 44 countries (for those keeping score that’s less than 4 months in). Making Viceland the fastest growing television network in history. Forgive me my sins I love you all.”

Partners include:

• The Times of India Group (ToI) for India market entry across digital, mobile, and TV
• The MOBY Group for Middle East market entry across digital, mobile, TV
• SBS Australia to launch Viceland across Australia
• Sky New Zealand to launch Viceland across New Zealand on Sky TV and Sky Mobile
• Multi Channels Asia to launch Viceland across Southeast Asia
• Econet Media to launch Viceland across digital and linear throughout Africa
• Groupe V Media to launch Viceland in Quebec and throughout French speaking Canada

These new partnerships are the latest move by Vice to bring its youth-focused content to as many territories as possible, mixing local and international news, culture and lifestyle programming to young viewers across online, television and mobile.