Reports: A+E Close to Launching Vice Network

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

Online media company Vice Media will look to move into the cable space with a new linear cable channel courtesy of A+E Networks, according to various published reports.

Vice Media, in which A+E invested $250 million last year, is expected to take over A+E’s H2 service in 2016, according to The Wall Street Journal. As part of the deal, Disney – which owns A+E Networks along with Hearst Corp. – will also invest in the channel, according to reports.

The deal would give A+E Networks a millennial-targeted service in Vice to complement its networks that skew older including Lifetime, A&E and History. The Journal reports than an announcement could come as early as Tuesday.

Representatives from A+E Networks could not be reached for comment.

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.