US cable channel Viceland launches in Belgium

American media company Vice has launched a new broadcast channel, Viceland, in Flanders. The channel forms part of Telenet’s basic package, on channel 21. It will be picked up by Proximus in June. In the meantime, programmes can also be watched online.

Viceland is owned and operated by Vice Media, known for its edgy online and print news and features targeted at young adults. The channel promises a range of local and international programmes covering subjects including music, food, sex, fashion and sport.

One of the first features was the hour-long documentary Census, in which young people gave their views on topics ranging from politics to drugs to climate change. Other features include the series Black Market, in which Michael K Williams (Omar from The Wire) investigates shadow economies (pictured).

Viceland was launched a year ago in the US and Canada. Since then it has also opened for business in the UK, Ireland, France, Australia and New Zealand. The launch in Belgium coincides with a launch in the Netherlands.

Photo courtesy Viceland