TV News Roundup: March 26, 2015

• History renews scripted series
• HBO goes big with news program
• NBC summer premieres
• Sling TV adds another cable network

More Ragnar Lothbrok:
History gave the greenlight to a fourth season of the scripted series, VIKINGS, to air in early 2016. Currently VIKINGS draws a 4.3 million viewers and a 1.6 demo rating, in the Live+3 ratings.

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HBO goes long term with VICE:
In a new content deal, HBO has signed to air the weekly series, VICE, through 2018. The number of episodes per season increases from 14 to 35, plus 32 long form specials. And, if that was not enough, there will be five, 30 minute episodes per week, for 48 weeks of the year.

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NBC announces summer premieres:
NBC, looking for a fifth straight summer win, announced some of its summer premiere dates.

May 25 (10 p.m.) - THE ISLAND (Bear Grylls)
May 26 (10 p.m.) - I CAN DO THAT (new variety)

July 2 (8:00 p.m.) - FOOD FIGHTERS (returning)
July 7 (10:00 p.m.) - HOLLYWOOD GAME NIGHT (returning)
July 13 (10:00 p.m.) - RUNNING WILD W/BEAR GRYLLS (returning)
July 19 (8:00 p.m.) - WELCOME TO SWEDEN (returning comedy)
July 22 (9:00 p.m.) - LAST COMIC STANDING (returning)

Aug. 5 (9:00 p.m.) - MR. ROBINSON (new comedy)
Aug 5. (9:30 p.m.) - THE CARMICHAEL SHOW (new comedy)

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Sling TV adds A&E:A&E will join the roster of networks offered on the OTT service, Slint TV, but not on the core/basic package. instaed it will be added to the "Lifestyle" package, which subscribers can add, for just $5 for the pack.