Nat Geo & VICE Ink LatAm Content Partnership

National Geographic Partners and VICE Media have entered into a content partnership for the Latin American market that includes the commission of a multiplatform series exploring issues in the largest cities in the LatAm region.

Explorer (working title) will investigate some of the contemporary issues that impact the lives of millions of people across the largest cities of Latin America. VICE will produce the 14-part series with the contribution of National Geographic Explorers. Topics include the pollution in Mexico City, the waste management in São Paulo, the contamination of Riachuelo river in Buenos Aires, the crisis of public transportation, the controversy over vaccines and underfunded science.

National Geographic Partners has also acquired a number of VICE’s original series for #NG PWR!, a new programming block created for and by millennials that will premiere in February. At launch, VICE content will include Huang’s World, Tattoo Age, Hamilton’s Pharmacopeia, Nuts & Bolts and Black Market.

The new programming deal will see VICE content available in more than 50 million homes across Latin America, excluding Brazil.

Diego Reck, the executive VP of National Geographic Partners in Latin America, said: “At National Geographic we support day by day the work of hundreds of Explorers that seek to change the world through research. NG Explorer Latin America is a new opportunity to bring their contributions closer to the people and to inspire new generations to be the engine of positive change for the future. For this mission, we consider it essential to have the support, narrative and structure of VICE, a preeminent youth-media company with an excellent reputation for multi-platform content.”

Fernando Semenzato, the senior VP of production for National Geographic Partners in Latin America, said: “Through powerful stories and investigative journalism we will produce revolutionary and inspirational content, that we hope will generate awareness about the impact of our decisions on our planet. Since we believe it is important to reach all of our audiences, the show will be developed as a transmedia series, available on all of our platforms—digital, TV, apps and social networks.”

Andrés Reymondes, the general manager for U.S. Hispanics and LatAm for VICE, added: “We are very proud to produce NG Explorer Latin America for such a prestigious and innovative brand as National Geographic. The show has an enormous critical potential, as we aim to spotlight contemporary social issues the best way we know how to do it: with our dynamic and direct narrative, traveling the continent and living situations in first person.”

James Rosenstock, president of VICELAND International and chief corporate development officer at VICE Media, commented: “Collaborating with one of the world’s foremost factual entertainment channels, we’re confident VICE’s premium programming will feel right at home with Latin American audiences. An expansive market with a wealth of opportunity, this deal underpins our continued dedication as we solidify our presence across the region.”