ITV

Tag: Alon Shtruzman

  • Keshet International replaces outgoing CEO Alon Shtruzman with Keren Shahar

    Keshet International replaces outgoing CEO Alon Shtruzman with Keren Shahar

    Mumbai: With over 20 years of experience in the international entertainment industry, 18 of which have been spent working at Keshet. Keren Shahar has been confirmed as the CEO of Israeli media company Keshet International (KI). Shahar will commence her new role on 1 January 2023, replacing Alon Shtruzman, who leaves as the global content producer and distributor at the end of this year, having led the company for a decade. 

    Widely regarded as one of the leading pioneers of the Israeli format sales market and named one of the 25 most powerful women in global television by The Hollywood Reporter, Shahar first joined Keshet Media Group in 2004. She was named Keshet’s formats manager in 2006, where she oversaw global market sales. Two years later, in 2008, she took on responsibility for Keshet broadcasting’s acquisitions department, licencing formats such as The Money Drop, Make Me A Baby, and MasterChef—which has just finished its 10th successful season on Keshet 12—for adaptation locally in Israel.

    After stepping up to take on the role of COO, Shahar was announced to lead the KI’s (established in 2012) sales team, becoming Shtruzman’s second in command. During her 10-year tenure, she was involved in overseeing business and operational aspects across the company’s activities.

    Shahar has also been responsible for the distribution of many of Keshet’s scripted formats, such as Prisoners of War, which became Showtime’s multi-Emmy-winning Homeland, as well as False Flag and When Heroes Fly, which have recently been adapted as Suspicion and Echo 3 for Apple TV+ by Keshet UK and Keshet Studios, respectively.

    As KI’s CEO, Shahar will handle the company’s network of production and distribution hubs: KI in Tel Aviv, Keshet UK, Tresor and Keshet Tresor Fiction in Germany, Keshet Studios in the US, and a majority stake in Greenbird Media. She will be tasked with expanding KI’s international production output further while also boosting its curated catalogue of international dramas, factual entertainment shows, and formats with a view to also building the distribution side of KI’s business. As an influential player in the international content market, KI has seen a long list of its series and formats picked up by television networks such as HBO, NBC, and the BBC, as well as streaming platforms including Netflix, Apple TV, Disney+, and Amazon Prime, during its first decade in operation.

    Speaking on the appointment, Shahar said, “Having the privilege of leading a company like Keshet International is far beyond what I could have imagined when I first started at Keshet 18 years ago. I just wanted to be around the people who “made television.” I’d like to thank Shtruzman for his mentorship and friendship and for showing me what infinite optimism can achieve. Thank you also to the Keshet board and to Nir in particular, for all his support and multiple votes of confidence over the years. Last but not least, I want to thank the extremely talented group of people who “make television” at KI. I am looking forward to our next chapter together and seeing what we can achieve in our second decade!”

    “In just a few weeks from now, Apple TV will launch Echo 3, Keshet Studios’ US adaptation of Keshet’s When Heroes Fly, which is truly one of this year’s most ambitious television productions. Flashback to 2012 and Keshet International’s inception: standing centre frame is Keren Shahar, determined to bring Israeli TV to a world that didn’t know what it was and didn’t know it needed it. Returning to 2022 as we celebrate its 10th birthday, Keshet International is now an internationally recognised name—a global-scale content, production, and distribution company with a history of challenges, successes, and achievements—all with Keren as its deputy CEO. I’m happy to announce the promotion of Keren to Keshet International’s CEO. Keren will lead the international activity from the Tel Aviv office starting in January next year. Flash forward to the next decade, and I predict that, thanks to her experience, competence, and many skills, Keren has taken Keshet International and Israeli TV, along with the rest of the management team at KI and Keshet, to new horizons. Good luck from all of us at Keshet, Keren!”, added Keshet Media Group CEO Avi Nir.

  • Top NY producers to lead Keshet films’ div with ‘Skinny Dip’ & ‘Newburgh Sting’

    MUMBAI: Keshet Studios, the LA-based subsidiary of Keshet International (KI), the global production and distribution powerhouse behind many high-profile, award-winning and critically acclaimed series, has launched Keshet Films, announced KI CEO Alon Shtruzman. The newly formed global feature development and production division will be co-headed by award-winning producers Mandy Tagger-Brockey and Adi Ezroni.

    Reporting to Keshet Studios President of Scripted Peter Traugott in Los Angeles, Tagger-Brockey in New York and Ezroni in Tel Aviv will form a unit producing features budgeted between $10 million and $20 million for the US and international markets.

    Keshet Films’ inaugural development slate includes a feature adaptation of the Carl Hiaasen caper novel, Skinny Dip, and Newburgh Sting, a fictional adaptation of the award-winning HBO documentary.

    “KI is a premium content company that is always on the lookout for the best creative talent, and that is exactly what we have in Mandy and Adi,” said Shtruzman. “They are a perfect fit, bringing to us a distinct point of view, filmmaking savvy, a desire to create meaningful and entertaining content, as well as an outstanding track record of producing excellent films – of all budget sizes with high-quality casts, writers and directors attached.”

    Traugott added, “When we launched Keshet Studios nearly two years ago, Alon and I knew our next primary objective would be to gain a foothold in the feature film business. Mandy and Adi have an incredible network of creative relationships throughout the Hollywood, New York and Israeli film communities. We are very lucky to have them join KI and are excited for them to lead this new venture.”

    The producers join KI from their New York-based Spring Pictures label, where they developed, financed and produced a multitude of award-winning independent films.

    “We are thrilled to set up in house at a quality-driven company like Keshet International, furthering our commitment to supporting great talent and unique storytelling,” Tagger-Brockey and Ezroni commented. “Working closely with Alon and Peter, we intend to bring KI into the film world as an active and disruptive player.”

    Tagger Brockey’s and Ezroni’s arrival at Keshet Films coincides with the April 23 world premiere of Spring Pictures’ Saturday Church, written and directed by two-time WGA Award nominee Damon Cardasis, at the 16th annual Tribeca Film Festival. A rousing celebration of one boy’s search for his identity, Saturday Church marks Tagger Brockey’s and Ezroni’s return to the Tribeca film competition after their entrant last year, Dean, which earned the 2016 Festival’s prestigious Founders Award. Dean, which stars its writer and director Demitri Martin as well as Kevin Kline, Gillian Jacobs and Mary Steenburgen, is due in theaters in June.

    A veteran of the New York film scene, Tagger-Brockey began her career at InDigEnt – director Gary Winick, John Sloss and IFC’s prescient experiment matching top-notch industry creative talent with shoestring budgets and crew profit sharing. While supervising production for the company, she oversaw a wide array of acclaimed films such as the award-winning, Winick-directed Tadpole, along with Richard Linklater’s Tape, Peter Hedges’ Pieces of April, Wim Wender’s Land of Plenty and Steve Buscemi’s Lonesome Jim.

    Ezroni, an award-winning actress who has spent the past decade as a film producer, was a partner at Priority Films prior to teaming with Tagger-Brockey. She received the 2008 Global Hero Award from the US State Department for her work in raising awareness of human trafficking with the films Holly and Redlight. The lead actress of Keshet Broadcasting’s globally renowned TV drama Prisoners of War, the inspiration for the Showtime hit series Homeland, she also stars in HBO Europe’s When Shall We Kiss.

    In 2009, the pair co-founded Spring Pictures, where they produced A Late Quartet, directed by Yaron Zilberman and starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Christopher Walken and Catherine Keener; The English Teacher, directed by Craig Zisk and starring Julianne Moore, Greg Kinnear and Lily Collins; and SXSW Game Changer Award-winner Kelly & Cal, directed by Jen McGowan and starring Juliette Lewis and Jonny Weston. All Nighter, directed by Gavin Wiesen and starring JK Simmons and Emile Hirsch, premiered in March.

  • Keshet & Ananey bring teen & kids series to India

    NEW DELHI: Global production and distribution powerhouse Keshet International (KI) and Ananey Communications Group have partnered to bring teens’, tweens’ and kids’ series to the global market in KI’s first foray into the genre.

    Alongside its subsidiary Nutz Productions, Ananey Cmmunications Group – which represents the Viacom brands Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., MTV and Comedy Central in Israel – has created some of Israel’s biggest kids TV hits airing on Nickelodeon. These include the award-winning daily live-action teen drama The Greenhouse, an English language version of which entitled Greenhouse Academy, has become the first Israeli original commissioned by NETFLIX.

    Greenhouse Academy is produced by Nutz productions for the global streaming platform and is due to launch later this year, KI will hold worldwide second-window distribution rights.

    Among other series launching in Cannes internationally as part of the new wide-ranging, long-term relationship between KI and Israel’s largest multichannel group are two daily live-action teen dramas, The Hood and the fantastical suspense series Spell Keepers as well as the kids’ comedy Bed & Biscuit.

    Keshet International CEO Alon Shtruzman said, “We are incredibly fortunate and honored to be partnering with one of the most reputable and outstanding providers of kids’ content in the business. We look forward to doing great things together in the future, as KI expands and diversifies into the business of kid’s distribution and production.”

    Ananey Communications Group Co-CEO, Orly Atlas-Katz, said, “We are thrilled to be partnering with KI and together raising further global exposure and awareness in the international market to our award winning kids and teens content”.

    THE GREENHOUSE: After losing their mother in a spaceship crash, a brother and sister arrive at an elite boarding school for gifted future leaders: The Greenhouse (22 x 175). They join two competing houses within the school. Soon, mysterious developments draw the rival houses into a secret investigation that exposes a destructive plot. Only by joining forces can they save the world from a disaster. As they fight against evil, the heroes of The Greenhouse also cope with typical teen struggles such as love, friendship, competition and betrayal.

    SPELL KEEPERS Spell Keepers (22 x 50) is an exciting, mysterious and fantastical suspense series focusing on two strong and determined girl heroines – Kirki and Layla, each of whom have set out to perform their crucial roles in the world. As they strive to save humanity, they must choose between their own personal happiness and fulfilling their destinies, while facing an inevitable collision between good and evil.

    THE HOOD In the middle of a rich town lies The Hood (22 x 100), a dingy cluster of low-income housing where modest, blue-collar families live. One such family is the David’s. Dad Ben is a widower who struggles to support his five kids but after a string of failed businesses Ben is on the verge bankruptcy, and possibly prison. Making things even worse is the mayor, who is constantly trying to get rid of The Hood altogether. The Hood is a daily drama that skillfully combines edgy class struggles with suspenseful action and big doses of fun.

    BED & BISCUIT Bed & Biscuit is a sitcom for kids, which takes place in a family-run boarding kennel for dogs in a small village in Israel. Moti is a mediocre lawyer who has had enough of the big city and wants to live a simpler life and spend more time with his only daughter Sarah. The energetic father and smart and funny daughter make the move into the country and run their family business – a dog kennel. In their new place they meet some wonderful friends such as Claudia, the voluptuous dog groomer, her son Royo, a young, charismatic, high tempered boy and a goofy girl named TomTom, and experience an insane rivalry with Jacky, the annoying neighbour.

  • IQIYI CCO Ma Dong to deliver keynote at Asia TV Forum & Market and ScreenSingapore

    IQIYI CCO Ma Dong to deliver keynote at Asia TV Forum & Market and ScreenSingapore

    MUMBAI: Asia TV Forum & Market (ATF), Asia’s leading entertainment content market announces today that Baidu’s IQIYI chief content officer Ma Dong, will deliver an Asia Media Keynote speech “Digital China: The New Storyteller – IQIYI” on 9 December 2014.

     

    For the third consecutive year, ATF 2014 will be held in conjunction with ScreenSingapore 2014. The four-day conference programme will take place from 9 to 12 December 2014 at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore. ATF earlier announced a power-packed line up of international speakers including Alon Shtruzman, CEO, Keshet International (Israel), Tom Beattie, Head of Animation and Children’s Programming for Tiger Aspect Productions (United Kingdom) and Nicholas Wodtke, Vice President, Media Solution Centre, Samsung Electronics (Southeast Asia & Oceania).

     

    IQIYI in China’s digital content market

    With over 450 million internet users and a growing middle class in China boosting its business, IQIYI, has grown from strength to strength to now become one of the country’s leading online television and movie portal. To further cement its leadership position in the rapidly growing China online film and TV market, the Baidu subsidiary plans to step up its efforts in 2015, making seven local films, one Hollywood film and producing 500 (15,000 hours) internet dramas. The company is looking to spend at least 300 million yuan to produce its own content.

     

    At the ATF conference, Ma Dong’s session on “Digital China: The New Storyteller – IQIYI”, will see him share about IQIYI’s position in China’s digital world, and the company’s journey to success.

     

    He said, “IQIYI has grown steadily over the years, and our achievements attest to the strategic thinking and foresight of various leaders within the company. We are very pleased with our success, and look forward to further expansion in the years ahead. I am excited about sharing IQIYI’s successes and the story behind our progress at ATF, and certainly hope that conference delegates will find these insights valuable for their businesses.”

  • Assaf Blecher to oversee Keshet DCP JV in an expanded role

    Assaf Blecher to oversee Keshet DCP JV in an expanded role

    MUMBAI: It was announced earlier today in a statement by Dick Clark Productions (DCP) EVP of programming development Mark Bracco and Keshet International CEO Alon Shtruzman that current Dick Clark Productions programming and development vice president Assaf Blecher will expand his role to include oversight of Keshet DCP.  In Blecher’s new role he will manage programming and development for Keshet DCP, the joint venture(JV) formed by Keshet International, the global distribution and production arm of Keshet Media Group and DC Media, and the parent company of DCP. The JV which was announced last year, produces unscripted programming in the US and develops, produces and finances new formats for international markets.

     

    Keshet DCP programming for 2014 includes the new reality singing competition Rising Star set to premiere on 22 June on the American Broadcasting Company network, the new game show format BOOM! scheduled for broadcast on FOX network later this year and additional projects at various stages of development.  Blecher will continue to be based in the company’s Santa Monica headquarters and will report to Bracco and Shtruzman. 

                                                                                                                                                                                       

    “Assaf played a key role in the formation of Keshet DCP and will be instrumental in our strategies to expand our programming footprint domestically and internationally with the most compelling slate of unscripted programming possible,” said Bracco in a statement.

     

    “Assaf has a proven track record and has contributed great insights and talent to the development of Keshet DCP. We at Keshet are delighted to have him on board as a partner and a creative executive, especially during this significant growth period. His experience, industry acumen and friendship will be of great benefit to our collective effort,” said Shtruzman.

     

    “It is an honor to formalise my relationship with Keshet and the Keshet DCP team,” said Blecher.  “The Keshet International team is a global leader and we look forward to introducing revolutionary new television formats to US audiences and beyond.”

     

    Blecher began his career with Dick Clark Productions in 2005 as manager and has held several roles with the company.  Most recently, Blecher served as vice president of development TV and digital programming overseeing a variety of projects including Golden Gods for VH1 and the upcoming Star Spangled Spectacular for PBS. 

  • Hungary and Belgium get ready to Boom!

    Hungary and Belgium get ready to Boom!

    MUMBAI: Keshet International has sold its explosive gameshow formatBOOM! to TV2 in Hungary, and VTM, the top Flemish speaking channel in Belgium owned by parent company MEDIALAAN.TV2 plans to launch a local adaptation of the thrilling gameshow later this year.

     

    This news marks the fourth and fifth sales of the format since its launch at MIPTV, following Spain (Atresmedia), the US (FOX) and France (TF1).

     

    BOOM! fuses the drama, intensity and thrill of a blockbuster action movie with the high octane fun of a video game. Full of comedy, color and excitement – BOOM!’s fresh approach rolls the intellectual AND physical challenges of existing gameshows into one must-see event for viewers of all ages. A squad of four players must defuse eight (replica) bombs by answering trivia questions correctly within a strict time limit. In nail-biting scenes, the nominated player must defuse one bomb per question by cutting through colored wires which represent multiple choice answers against the clock. If the player answers correctly the prize money remains intact and they move to the next bomb, if they cut the wrong wire, or run out of time the bomb will explode strewing material across the studio andvisiblyshaking the set – and the team will lose one player and 25% of the potential prize money. BOOM! delivers fierce tension and light-hearted humor in quick succession,extending the experience not only to those in the studio, but also viewers at home who can play along.

     

    “BOOM! is igniting all over the world, and we are thrilled to partner with our longtime friends at TV2 and VTM to bring our show to Hungary and Belgium,” said Keshet International CEO Alon Shtruzman.

     

    “We are pleased to have once again picked up the most talked-about format of the market from Keshet International. With the success of Master Class and Rising Star now in pre-production, BOOM! will be the third Keshet format that TV2 will adapt and we are very happy to bring this innovative project to audiences in Hungary,” said György Bence, Program and News Director, TV2.

     

    BOOM! achieved outstanding ratings when it made its debut on Keshet Broadcasting, Channel 2 Israel following its launch on Thursday April 3 at 9 PM, becomingthe highest-rated game show launch ever in Israel. Vastly outshining all other shows in its timeslot, BOOM!scored a staggering 41.2% share and 26.7% (HH) rating.

     

    The ratings and share equate to an increase of four times the amount drawn by the nearest competitor for the time slot, doing exceptionally well in the younger demographic of 18 – 24 years with a share 27.5% higher than the average.

     

    BOOM! is now the most viewed game show ever in Israel both in terms of ratings and number of viewers, outperforming other favorites such as Million Pound Drop and Raid the Cage. It has also garnered the highest audience share ever for a game show airing on a week night. The show’s rating was 14% above the average share for the time slot on Channel 2.

    BOOM! was created by Keshet, Ido Rozenblum and July August Productions.

     

    Season two of TV2’s Master Class, also an adaptation of a Keshet International format, will launch on the network later this month following a tremendously successful first season debut.

     

    Visit the Keshet International stand R8.C9, Riviera 8, Palais Des Festivals,at MIPTV 7 – 10 April 2014

  • Fox Broadcasting and Keshet DCP bring ‘Boom!’ to U.S

    Fox Broadcasting and Keshet DCP bring ‘Boom!’ to U.S

    MUMBAI: Fox Broadcasting Company (FOX) has picked up KeshetDCP’s explosive gameshow format BOOM!,marking Keshet DCP’ssecond project sold to series.  

     

    BOOM!fuses the drama, intensity and thrill of a blockbuster action movie with the high-octane fun of a video game. Full of comedy, color and excitement, BOOM!’s fresh approach rolls the intellectual AND physical challenges of existing gameshows into one can’t-miss event for viewers of all ages. A squad of four players must defuse eight (replica) “bombs” by answering trivia questions correctly within a strict time limit. In nail-biting scenes, the nominated player must defuse one “bomb” per question by cutting through colored wires representing multiple choice answers…which the ticking clock counts down. If the player answers correctly, the prize money builds and he/she moves to the next “bomb.”BOOM!delivers fierce tension and light-hearted humor in quick succession,extending the experience not only to those in the studio, but also to viewers at home who can play along.

     

    “BOOM!is a perfect blend of family entertainment and FOX attitude. Never has a ticking clock been so ingeniously placed at the center of a game, and never has a game more inventively borrowed from the language of a thriller,” said Simon Andreae, Executive Vice President, Alternative Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company.  “It’s as if Jack Bauer made brain love with Jeff Foxworthy.”

     

    “We have no doubts that BOOM!’s fresh take on the traditional game show will blow American audiences away with laughs and thrills, and we couldn’t be happier to have secured such an esteemed broadcast partner as FOX only days after announcing our plans for the show in the U.S. market,” said Alon Shtruzman, CEO Keshet International.

     

    Allen Shapiro, CEO of dick clark productions continued, “BOOM!represents a continuation of original, provocative and unique content coming out of the KeshetDCP venture.  FOX is the perfect home for it.” The news follows the first sale of the project to France’s most popular broadcaster, TF1, as well as outstanding ratings for the new game on Keshet Broadcasting’s Channel 2 Israel,where it recentlybecame the highest-rated game show launch ever in Israel. Vastly outshining all other shows in its timeslot, BOOM!scored a staggering 41.2% share and 26.7% (HH) rating.

     

    BOOM!was created by Keshet, IdoRozenblum and July August Productions.

     

    Visit the Keshet International stand R8.C9, Riviera 8, Palais Des Festivals,at MIPTV 7-10 April 2014.

     

  • Keshet DCP’S ‘Boom’ launches in Israel to staggering ratings

    Keshet DCP’S ‘Boom’ launches in Israel to staggering ratings

    MUMBAI: Keshet DCP, the joint venture between Keshet International (KI), the global distribution and production arm of Keshet Media Group, and DC Media, the parent company of dick clark productions (dcp), announced today that the company will bring Keshet International’s electrifying new gameshow format BOOM! to the U.S. market. This project marks the first co-development deal between KI and DC Media under the Keshet DCP banner since it was established in October 2013. This news comes simultaneously with colossal ratings for the show’s debut in Israel.

     

    BOOM!, which premiered on Keshet Broadcasting, Channel 2 Israel last night Thursday April 3 at 9 PM, vastly outshone all other shows in its timeslot, scoring a staggering 41.2% share and 26.7% (HH) rating to become the highest-rated game show launch Israel has ever seen. The ratings and share equate to an increase of four times the amount drawn by the nearest competitor for the time slot, doing exceptionally well in the younger demographic of 18 – 24 years with a share 27.5% higher than the average.

     

    BOOM! fuses the drama, intensity and thrill of a blockbuster action movie with the high octane fun of a video game. Full of comedy, color and excitement – BOOM!’s fresh approach rolls the intellectual AND physical challenges of existing gameshows into one must-see event for viewers of all ages. A squad of four players must defuse eight (replica) bombs by answering trivia questions correctly within a strict time limit. In nail-biting scenes, the nominated player must defuse one bomb per question by cutting through colored wires which represent multiple choice answers against the clock. If the player answers correctly the prize money remains intact and they move to the next bomb, if they cut the wrong wire, or run out of time the bomb will explode strewing material across the studio and visibly shaking the set – and the team will lose one player and 25% of the potential prize money. BOOM! delivers fierce tension and light-hearted humor in quick succession, extending the experience not only to those in the studio, but also viewers at home who can play along.

     

    Keshet International previously announced that the company will unveil BOOM! this year at MIPTV.

     

    “BOOM! is a great kick-off for our Keshet-DCP joint slate. There’s no doubt that the Israeli viewers loved the show, which is always a sure sign of success for an international rollout. There are already a few deals in the pipeline and we’re looking forward to showcasing it to all our international buyers at MIPTV”  said Keshet International CEO, Alon Shtruzman.

     

    “BOOM! is one of the most exciting new game shows to come into development,” said Allen Shapiro CEO of dick clark productions. “It is a fantastic first development project under the Keshet DCP partnership.”

     

    Keshet DCP, a joint venture dedicated to developing, financing and delivering high quality unscripted programs to English and Spanish speaking U.S. audiences and beyond, was formed to leverage Keshet’s globally successful unscripted business with DC Media’s expansive U.S. infrastructure and production expertise. In November 2013, ABC ordered 10 episodes of the trailblazing interactive singing competition format RISING STAR from Keshet DCP. The show will premiere this summer on June 22 on ABC.