VICE started out as a free magazine in Montreal in 1994, founded by Suroosh Alvi and Shane Smith. Since then it has developed a reputation as an alternative / punk publication which delves into more unusual stories across a variety of different from international news, local news, music, politics, fashion and current affairs. They take an anti-mainstream approach in their journalism.

VICE launched its website in 1996 under the address Viceland.com. In 2007 it launched a website dedicated more specifically to video, called VBS.tv. In 2011 The two sites were combined into a all encompassing website: vice.com.

In mid August 2013, Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox invested $70 million into VICE media for a 5% stake in the company. In an interview, Shane Smith stated: “We have set ourselves up to build a global platform but we have maintained control.” Minority shareholders hold 25% of the voting power in the company, whilst the rest remains with the founders.

On August 29 2014, A&E entertainment bought a 10% stake in VICE media for $250 million. A&E networks is a joint venture between Hearts Corporation and The Disney/ABC television group. This was to enable VICE to break into traditional TV as they had long wanted to do.

Later that year in October, VICE announced a CDN$100 million joint venture with Rogers Communications to launch new VICE production facilities in Toronto for locally produced content, along with a VICE branded Canadian TV show.

who owns vice

Below is a diagram showing the ownership structures of the companies invested in VICE. Whilst News Corp don’t own BSKYB completely, they do have a 39.1% stake in the company

who owns vice wider