VICE Inks Deals with Mobile Platforms

BARCELONA: VICE Media is expanding its mobile offerings to reach hundreds of millions of new subscribers around the world, with a slate of partnerships that cover original production, licensing, direct-to-consumer initiatives and more.

The deals include a strong presence across the Asia-Pacific region, with the launch of VICE+, VICE’s SVOD service, with DOCOMO Digital that provides original VICE content and curated content DTC in Japan. The agreement also has the potential for further expansion into other territories that DOCOMO Digital operates in.

To create original mobile programming, VICE reached marketing and distribution partnerships with XL Axiata and iflix in Indonesia, with the iflix agreement expanding into other iflix markets to be determined, and with Vodafone in Australia. These deals will lead to VICE creating original, local content targeted for young people.

On the licensing side, VICE closed deals with AbemaTV and Verizon that will see its content licensed across Japan and the U.S., in addition to the significant original programming VICE already produces for each platform.

To increase VICELAND content to mobile platforms, VICE extended its partnership with FIDO in Canada and reached a new agreement with Partner Communications in Israel that will allow each provider’s subscribers to access the full slate of VICELAND programming, 24/7, through the VICE app, and on Partner’s innovative next-gen OTT platform.

VICE Co-Founder and CEO Shane Smith said: “When we first started to roll out our global terrestrial TV program, people thought I was nuts, ‘going backwards,’ and a victim of my own hubris. Today we announce our first batch of international mobile deals that we will now marry with our TV platforms and digital platforms to offer a comprehensive three screen/one screen/OTT platform-agnostic media company that offers our content at all times, everywhere. As I sit here at Mobile World Congress with our new partners putting pins in a map and adding hundreds of millions of new eyeballs to our audience, I am excited by two things—a) the future, and b) the albondigas and Sangre del Toro that I will be enjoying as soon as our world domination plans are wrapped up for the day.”

DOCOMO Digital’s CEO, Hiroyuki Sato, said: “Mobile consumption is continuing to grow among millennials. We’re delighted to be working with VICE on this exciting project, bringing their unique programming to millions of users through our expertise in mobile and marketing. With the launch of VICE+ in Japan, we are excited to be bringing VICE’s distinct voice to other countries as well. Together we’re working to advance our aim of bringing to fruition the next generation of connected mobile platforms.”

FIDO Solutions’ VP, Nancy Audette, commented: “We’re all about connecting our customers to content and experiences that they love. We know our customers crave cutting-edge content and want to be able to access it how and when they want, which is why our partnership with VICE is a natural fit.”

Partner Communications’ CEO, Isaac Benbenisti, said: “We are proud to join forces with VICE, as their innovative content offering and disruptive approach is in line with our vision for the soon-to-be-launched Partner TV service.”