New agreement comes just months after Rogers ends joint venture with Vice
TORONTO – Bell Media and Vice Media have struck a new, long-term broadcast agreement that will see Vice content premiere across Bell Media platforms starting this fall. No financial terms were disclosed.
According to Thursday’s announcement, Bell Media is now the exclusive Canadian broadcast home to new original programming from Vice’s U.S. linear network Viceland, which will air exclusively on Bell Media-owned television channels. The deal also includes hundreds of hours of library Vice programming, which will debut on multiple Bell Media platforms, including Crave TV and short-form video app SnackableTV.
Both companies also pledged to explore co-production opportunities for Bell Media platforms in Canada and Vice platforms around the world, plus are forming an advertising sales relationship.
“With its new leadership, re-energized programming slate, and U.S. deal with Hulu, we are thrilled to welcome Vice to Bell Media in Canada,” said Bell Media president Randy Lennox, in the annoncement. “We see great opportunity with this new partnership and are very motivated for an exciting future with Vice.”
The deal comes some seven months after Rogers Media pulled out of its joint venture with Vice Media.
“We are thrilled to announce such a multi-faceted, far-reaching deal with Bell Media,” added Vice Canada president Naveen Prasad. “They share a similar vision and have the added platforms and reach to enhance Vice’s various lines of business in Canada, whether it be our studio, digital media or creative agency.”
