Your nightly news TV broadcast choices just got a little trendier. In HBO’s latest move to convert (and maintain) viewers, the premium network announced an expansive broadcast partnership with Vice, the youth media company known for its unique, provocative content. Most importantly, the deal entails the launch of a new daily, half-hour Vice newscast on HBO.
“Shane and the Vice team have produced some of the most groundbreaking and dynamic journalism anywhere,” said Richard Plepler, CEO and Michael Lombardo, president, HBO Programming in a joint statement (via Deadline).
“From the front lines in the Ukraine, to the icebergs of Antarctica and the streets of Ferguson, Vice news has helped illuminate and expand our understanding of an increasingly complex world. This extension of the HBO/Vice relationship, which will include more shows, more documentaries and even a Vice daily newscast, is an evolution of our partnership.”
Vice isn’t a newcomer to the premium cable TV giant where it currently hosts an eponymous alt-leaning 60 Minutes-esque series. Vice, the HBO show — which has explored special interest topics such as the use of deadly viruses to fight cancer, and effects of climate change in Antarctica — is now slated to have 35 episodes per year through 2018 (up from 14 per year). The channel will also be available via HBO Now, the media company’s forthcoming standalone streaming app.
“This deal, simply put, allows Vice the freedom to go after any story, anywhere we can find it — and to do so with complete independence,” said Shane Smith, founder and CEO of Vice in a statement. “This deal is a tremendous gift and a tremendous opportunity, and we at Vice realize this.”
Andrew Wallenstein, the co-Editor-in-Chief of TV industry mag Variety, made it very clear that the new daily broadcast could mean some serious shaking up in the network TV news game. At the very least, a new, provocative daily news show could have some significant impact. While exactly what that impact will be remains to be seen, there’s no doubt HBO is moving quickly on all fronts to shake up the current TV network status quo.
