Skip to main content

Vice expands gritty news program with HBO

vice hbo nightly news expansion deal 2
Image used with permission by copyright holder

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).

Recommended Videos

“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.”

Please enable Javascript to view this content

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.

Chris Leo Palermino
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Chris Leo Palermino is a music, tech, business, and culture journalist based between New York and Boston. He also contributes…
HBO teaser reveals first looks at The Last of Us season 2, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
Pedro Pascal tears up as he's about to talk in "The Last of Us" season 2.

Before the House of the Dragon season 2 finale, HBO released a teaser video previewing several new and upcoming television shows coming to the network and Max, including The Last of Us season 2, A Knight of Seven Kingdoms, and The White Lotus season 3.

The first footage from The Last of Us features Pedro Pascal's Joel speaking with Catherine O' Hara's mysterious character, who asks if he hurt Bella Ramsey's Ellie. "I saved her," Joel tearfully replies. The teaser features glimpses of several new additions to the season 2 cast, including Kaitlyn Dever as Abby, Isabela Merced as Dina, and Jeffrey Wright as Isaac. The Last of Us season 2 premieres in 2025.

Read more
The Penguin, Dune: Prophecy will be rebranded as HBO Originals
Colin Farrell looks behind him and stares.

The Penguin and Dune: Prophecy are moving to HBO. Originally announced as Max Originals, the two series will become HBO Originals.

According to Variety, The Penguin and Dune: Prophecy were sold to international outlets as Max Originals. Rebranding the shows as HBO Originals would have involved some "crafty negotiating" to adjust the deals. With today's decision, HBO and Max Content CEO Casey Bloys found a way to move both shows under the HBO Originals umbrella.

Read more
Who is making HBO’s new Harry Potter series? The answer may surprise you
Harry, Hermoine, and Ron stand next to each other in a line.

The Harry Potter creative team is starting to assemble.

The upcoming Harry Potter TV series has named Francesca Gardiner as showrunner and writer. Additionally, Mark Mylod has been tapped to direct multiple episodes. Gardiner and Mylod, who will executive produce the Harry Potter series, worked together on Succession, HBO's award-winning drama that ran for four seasons from 2018 to 2023.

Read more