Vice Media is a Canadian-American digital media and broadcasting company founded in Montreal, Quebec, Canada in 1994 by Shane Smith and Suroosh Alvi. The company is known for its "edgy" and often controversial content, which has made it popular with young adults. Vice has expanded into a number of different media platforms, including television, film, and music. In 2021 it was referred to as the "world's largest independent youth media company."
Vice was founded in 1994 by Shane Smith and Suroosh Alvi, two friends who were interested in creating a magazine that would document youth culture. The magazine was originally called "Voice of Montreal" before being changed to "Vice" in 1996 and was published out of Smith's apartment in Montreal. Vice quickly gained a following among young adults, who appreciated its irreverent and often shocking content.
At its peak of expansion, Vice Media's properties and digital channels included:
Vice
Vice News
Noisey
Motherboard
Broadly
Munchies
Vice Sports
i-D
Garage
Amuse
Vice Impact
Waypoint
Tonic
Free
Refinery29
Downfall
In recent years, Vice has faced a number of challenges. In 2018 Vice Media cut 10% of its staff, roughly 250 employees. Then in 2020 Vice Media laid off a further 150 employees.
In 2021, Vice Media's Australian department, Vice Australia, began operating under the Pedestrian Group.
In May of 2023, the company which was valued at $5.7 Billion in 2017 filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.