There's a major shake-up coming for SBS2, the digital channel for SBS, as it relaunches in a partnership with American media behemoth Vice.
SBS2 -- which currently features a mix of multicultural and foreign news programs with lighter content like Mythbusters, dating show If You Are The One, South Park and Drunk History -- was Thursday announced as the Australian media partner for Viceland, the TV network launched by Vice in 2015.
Vice is an edgy, youth-focused multi-platform media brand which launched as a Canadian magazine in 1994, and has since expanded to encompass a global news operation, books, a record label and more.
Viceland includes programs such as documentaries on black markets and computer hackers, a series on the lives of comedians, actress Ellen Page's show 'Gaycation', sports, drugs and a cooking show hosted by rapper Action Bronson titled 'F*ck That's Delicious'.
In a release, SBS confirmed Vice content would live on SBS2, with the partnership launching "late 2016", and would remain "available to all Australians for free" through TV and online platforms.
"Exploring diversity through culture is at the heart of SBS's purpose and we are excited to be partnering with VICE to bring some of the best available content from across the world, never before seen in Australia, in documentary, journalism and inspiring entertainment, free to all Australians on SBS channels and platforms," said SBS managing director Michael Ebeid.
The SBS statement was light on details on how the partnership would work -- such as which existing programs will be removed from the schedule to make way for Vice content -- and in response to questions from The Huffington Post Australia, an SBS spokesperson referred us to that statement.
However, HuffPost Australia understands the multicultural news programs are not on the chopping block, nor is SBS2's current Australian commissioned content. Marc Fennell, host of the channel's daily news program The Feed, confirmed his show would continue and gave a bit more info on the specifics of the partnership.
It also appears the channel will have a new name.
"Further information about the channel will follow in coming months," the SBS release stated.