New Viceland channel gears for start on Monday
Vice is an online giant that also airs news programming on HBO, and Viceland gives the company a way to tap into television advertising income.
Other charter series include "Flophouse," about homes where aspiring comics room together; "Weediquette," about the legal marijuana industry; "Balls Deep," profiling people from their point of view; and rapper Action Bronson's exploration of culinary differences in cities where they tour.
Noisey" looks at the cultures surrounding music scenes, and its first episode features Kendrick Lamar introducing people who inspired his hit album, "To Pimp a Butterfly.
[...] an unexpectedly strong reaction to stories about musicians' communities posted as outtakes sparked the series idea itself.
Much like Vice news reports, the shows have an appealing urgency and immerse viewers in unfamiliar worlds, rather than observing from afar.
Guy Slattery, an A&E Networks veteran who has overseen marketing and branding at some of the company's networks, is general manager.
The idealistic, youth-focused programming mix is reminiscent of Current, the ill-fated cable channel started and shuttered by former Vice President Al Gore.
Viceland shouldn't be judged by the standards of traditional television networks, said Rich Greenfield, chief researcher at the equity firm BTIG.