Keshet Media Group

Keshet Media Group
דר' אבישי טייכר · CC BY 2.5 · source
Name	Keshet Media Group
Type	Private
Industry	Broadcasting, Television production, Digital media
Founded	1993
Founder	Recanati family
Headquarters	Tel Aviv
Area served	Israel; international
Key people	Haim Saban, Antonino D'Agostino, Uri Levowitz
Products	Television channels, scripted formats, reality formats, digital platforms

Keshet Media Group

Keshet Media Group is an Israeli media conglomerate engaged in broadcasting, television production, format development, and digital distribution. Founded in the early 1990s, the company emerged amid Israeli liberalization of television in Israel and has grown into a major creator of global television formats, collaborating with broadcasters and streaming services across Europe, North America, and Asia. Keshet is known for producing award-winning scripted dramas, reality formats, and for pursuing strategic partnerships with global media companies and distributors.

History

Keshet began operations shortly after the deregulation that led to the introduction of private broadcasting in Israel and the launch of commercial channels competing with Israeli Broadcasting Authority. Early milestones include acquiring a broadcast franchise for Channel 2 (Israel) and developing original entertainment programming that challenged incumbent public and commercial producers. Through the 2000s Keshet expanded into scripted drama, producing works that entered festivals such as the Canneseries and the Berlin International Film Festival, while selling formats to companies including BBC, NBCUniversal, and Endemol Shine Group. In the 2010s corporate reorganization and strategic investment rounds aligned Keshet with multinational partners including Reshet, private equity groups, and international distributors, positioning the company for streaming-era competition with platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and regional services.

Corporate Structure and Ownership

The corporate structure comprises separate divisions for broadcasting, production, format licensing, and digital ventures, with holding entities managing stakes in linear channels and production studios. Major shareholders historically included founding families and institutional investors; later strategic investments involved media entrepreneurs and private equity firms known for transactions in television industry assets. Executive leadership has negotiated carriage agreements with cable operators like HOT (Israel) and satellite providers, and has signed co-production deals with international companies including HBO and Channel 4 (UK). Governance practices reflect requirements of Israeli corporate law and commercial broadcast regulation administered by authorities such as the Second Authority for Television and Radio.

Television Channels and Programming

Keshet operates or programs channels that broadcast entertainment, newsmagazines, and lifestyle content across the Israeli television landscape, competing with networks such as Channel 12 (Israel), Channel 13 (Israel), and public channels formerly run by the Israel Broadcasting Authority. Its slate includes drama series, reality competitions, talk and game shows, and documentary strands that have won awards from bodies like the Israeli Academy of Film and Television and international festivals including Series Mania and the Monte-Carlo Television Festival. Notable series and formats produced under Keshet’s production arms have been adapted internationally and attracted talent from industries represented by agencies such as CAA and WME. Programming partnerships have included commissions from broadcasters such as Channel 4 (UK), TF1, and CBS.

International Formats and Adaptations

Keshet is recognized as a prolific format creator and licensor, originating formats that have been adapted by companies including Endemol, Fremantle, Shine Group, and Disney Television Studios. Successful exports include reality and entertainment formats remade for markets in United Kingdom, United States, Germany, France, and China. The company has executed format licensing agreements and format protection through organizations like FRAPA and has engaged in co-production treaties with broadcasters such as Arte and streaming services including Hulu. High-profile international adaptations have involved collaborations with producers behind franchises associated with The Crown (TV series), House of Cards, and globally franchised reality formats.

Digital Media and Streaming Initiatives

Adapting to the streaming era, Keshet launched digital platforms and OTT services to distribute original content, engage audiences, and monetize libraries in competition with services such as Netflix, Disney+, and local platforms like Hot VOD. Strategies included direct-to-consumer apps, ad-supported streaming, and partnerships for first-window rights with international streamers and broadcasters including Amazon Prime Video and HBO Max. The company invested in data-driven audience analytics, social media marketing through networks like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, and in-house production facilities optimized for multi-platform distribution of scripted and non-scripted content.

Social Impact and Philanthropy

Keshet’s corporate social responsibility initiatives have supported cultural institutions, diversity in casting and production, and training programs for emerging creators in collaboration with organizations such as the Tel Aviv University film departments and non-profits active in media education. Philanthropic activity has included sponsorship of festivals like Jerusalem Film Festival and programs promoting representation of minority communities in Israeli media alongside NGOs and advocacy groups. The company has participated in industry efforts addressing labor standards, copyright protection, and sustainability practices relevant to production logistics and broadcasting infrastructure.

Category:Mass media companies of Israel Category:Television production companies