News brief: HBO recommissions VICE squad

US premium cablenet HBO has recommissioned its magazine series VICE for a second season.

The new 12-part season will launch in 2014. It delves into stories traditional media outlets often overlook, mirroring the editorial policy of the long-running magazine of the same name.

“I honestly don’t think there is another network in the world that would have given us the opportunity and support that HBO did over the last year,” said VICE founder Shane Smith. “We learned a lot over the course of shooting season one, and are insanely excited over our story selection for season two. Now that our various parasites, hernias and virulent rashes have been treated, we are ready in mind and in body to go out there and get the gold.”