Vice Planning to Launch TV Channels Across Europe

LONDON: Vice is looking to launch a dozen TV channels across Europe over the next 12 to 19 months, according to Founder and CEO Shane Smith.

In an interview with CNBC, Smith said the company will launch a Vice TV network in the U.S., along with a dozen in Europe, next year. He did not give details about who the company's U.S. partner will be. For Europe, Smith did say that the rollout will come from a mix of channel acquisitions, partnerships and joint ventures.

“There is a bit of a bidding war going on,” Smith told The Guardian. “In the U.K. there are potentially a number of partners. There are lots of deals on the table. It’s pretty fast and furious.”

Smith is expected to outline Vice’s European expansion plans in more detail at its IAB Digital Upfront presentation in London tonight.