Viceland brings originals plan to Benelux

Viceland is set to produce two local series in the Benelux region, and has commissioned its first feature-length documentary, six months after its initial launch in the territories.

The first new original series, entitled Tokyayo, is an alternative travel guide to the unique urban and cultural scene in Tokyo.

Bolstering its factual output, Viceland Benelux is also working with local indie teams WeFilm and online video platform Dumpert to coproduce Boxing 82, a five-part docu-series that looks at an impoverished boxing club in Rotterdam trying to fight its way back into the Dutch boxing federation.

The channel has also made its first acquisition, taking the exclusive rights to Wilders. The 66-minute documentary delivers an exclusive look into the life of one of the most controversial individuals in Dutch society, Geert Wilders, the leader of the Netherlands’ anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim and anti-EU Freedom party, as he runs for Dutch Prime Minister.

The new shows have been commissioned by Stefan Tieleman, general manager at Viceland Benelux. He said: “We’re currently in the process of further building our channel, with our fall slate continuing our vision of creating unique content and appealing to a wider audience.

“As we build our programming slate, Viceland Benelux continues to be a refreshing addition to the current television landscape and our autumn program brings personal stories from both home and abroad in offering alternative perspectives on the world we live in.”

Former Talpa Media exec Tieleman joined Viceland Benelux in January, a move that followed the channel’s launch in the Netherlands and Belgium.