Vice and FremantleMedia launch online food network

Vice Media and FremantleMedia yesterday launched in beta their new online food channel, called Munchies. 

The video-focused channel, named after Vice’s existing flagship food show, will showcase “the best in original food content and programming,” and combine Vice’s irreverent style with FremantleMedia’s production capability and global reach.

Launching the network at MIPTV in Cannes this week, Vice unveiled five shows that will appear on Munchies: Being Frank; Munchies: Chef’s Night Out; Fresh Off the Boat; Girl Eats Food; and F*ck, That’s Delicious.

Speaking at MIPTV, Vice co-founder Shane Smith said, “We expect viewership in the hundreds of millions this year,” reports DTVE’s sister title TBI.

The Vice shows run to various length and FremantleMedia will repackage them into commercial hours and half-hours and shop them to broadcasters.

“We have been approached by every company in the market and said ‘no’, because we like to keep our independence – but FremantleMedia are the best at what they do, at taking formats around the world,” said Smith.

Launch plans for the Munchies channel were first announced in February.