Vice Media, distributor of the web media VICE, signed a multi-year video distribution agreement with major US telecommunications company Verizon Communications in July. According to Ad Age, the deal involves providing content for an internet TV service Verizon plans to launch within the year. This includes cultural programming on topics like food and travel, as well as VICE's original series "Autobiographies," featuring interviews with celebrities. The service will primarily target mobile viewing.
Prior to this, Vice signed a contract with major U.S. cable provider HBO in March this year, extending through 2018, and also secured a deal with A&E Networks. The company is expanding its business, planning to provide articles and videos to music streaming service Spotify and social media app Snapchat.
James Schwab, co-CEO of Vice, described the Verizon deal as "part of our efforts to deliver video across platform barriers." He expressed optimism, stating, "This partnership will enable us to deliver Vice's video content to millions of mobile viewers."
Verizon, meanwhile, had been preparing to enter the video streaming service market. It acquired Intel's internet TV business in January last year and AOL, the US internet service provider, in June this year. It also acquired the video ad delivery platform previously owned by AOL.
Verizon's Terry Denson, Vice President of Content Strategy and Acquisitions, stated, "We want to connect Vice with consumers by combining Vice's content with our powerful mobile video platform."
