SBS is rebranding SBS2 as VICELAND

SBS is rebranding SBS2 as VICELAND, will bring US programming to free-to-air

Edgelord US media company VICE will soon have a TV channel in Australia, taking over the SBS2 channel spectrum. But the channel still will be owned and operated by the SBS.

I’m assuming that some SBS2 shows will survive, and VICE’s style already fits well with the equally tacky, faux-Triple J style of SBS2, but there’s little mention of how the change will specifically work. In the US VICELAND is a cable channel, and all SBS are saying specifically about the change is that they’ll have more details soon. Surely they could’ve just run some VICELAND shows on SBS2 without a complete rebrand.

On the launch, from SBS2 presenter Marc Fennell:

And a note from SBS:

SBS and global youth media company VICE will partner to bring Australians a new lifestyle and culture TV channel, featuring the best programming from VICELAND free-to-air on SBS in late 2016.The new channel will be owned and operated by SBS, leveraging the distinctive creativity and experience of both VICE and SBS creative teams. It will be on the SBS 2 channel spectrum and online platforms, available to all Australians for free.