New York: Fast-growing, youth-focused Vice Media has reached a deal to produce "short-form" programs about athletes and the world of sports with ESPN, the two groups announced Tuesday.
Vice and ESPN, a sports cable channel controlled by Disney's ABC network, said the tieup would produce programs for both ESPN and Viceland, a television channel launched in February by Vice with A&E Networks.
The deal will allow Vice and ESPN to collaborate on "brand new short-form series" that "will take audiences around the world to look at dominant athletes, fascinating characters and championship events that reside outside the mainstream," according to a joint statement.
Additionally, Vice and ESPN are developing a short-form animated series, and each will air some programs from the other under the agreement.
"I am confident that the content borne out of this collaboration will be a win for fans of ESPN, Vice and storytelling in general," said ESPN president John Skipper.
Viceland, the first traditional television channel operated by the Internet-based Vice Media, launched its "Vice World of Sports" in April.
Known for its online videos, Vice operates a popular YouTube channel and also produces news programming for Time Warner's HBO.
In France, it produces a daily news segment for France 4 television.
Disney last year agreed to invest $200 million in Vice to help it launch the television channel.
Other investors in Vice include the Murdoch family's 21st Century Fox, A&E and the Technology Crossover Venture fund.
AFP
