‘Vice News Tonight’ canceled as layoffs loom

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“Vice News Tonight” has been canceled by its parent company, Vice Media.

The company said the cancellation will result in “painful” layoffs as well as it, along with other high-profile media outlets are facing similar cuts as leadership tries to cut costs the face of an uncertain economic climate and shareholder demands.

“… we are moving forward on some painful but necessary reductions, primarily across our News business,” co-CEOs Bruce Dixon and Hozefa Lokhandwala wrote in a memo.

The company did not say how many roles would be affected, but a CNN source said it would be “dozens.”

Vice launches its flagship program in 2016, airing on HBO for the first three seasons. HBO canceled it in 2019 but Vice TV opted to pick it up and revive it with some changes.

The final show will air May 25, 2023.

The program was geared toward younger viewers and often used unique presentation styles and edgy reporting.

Most digital media outlets such as vice hoped to capitalize on selling advertising to viewers, but have largely been challenged in selling ads in a space dominated by Google and Facebook.

Vice Media itself was recently offered $400 million from Group Black but there is no news on if that deal is being considered.

Vice joins media stalwarts such as CNN, The Washington Post, NPR, NBC News as well as newer names such as Vox Media and BuzzFeed News to make significant cuts in recent weeks.

BuzzFeed announced it would shuttering the BuzzFeed News brand altogether.

ESPN and its parent Disney are reportedly preparing for cuts as well, including dropping the founder of FiveThirtyEight, a once-promising data-driven news site that focused on politics and sports but never turned a profit.

The site will remain active through the 2024 election, but its future remains unclear beyond that.