ITV

Tag: Ido Rosenblum

  • Ben Pyne to end 25-year journey at Disney Media Distribution

    MUMBAI: Asians and Indians are pretty familiar with Disney Media Distribution president Ben Pyne. The tall, well-spoken executive who endeared himself to many in India and Asia, has decided to hang up his boots after working 25 years with the company.

    The announcement was made on 3 March by Disney/ABC president business operations to whom he reports. Pyne will stay on in his role through the summer to aid in the transition.

    In making the announcement, Rosenblum stated, “Ben’s reputation in our industry is second-to-none. What he’s built here at Disney, and what he’s been able to accomplish over the past 25 years, is truly remarkable. While we’ll be sad to see him leave, we’re excited to see what his next chapter holds.”

    “I am honored to have had such an amazing career at The Walt Disney Company, which has been rich with unique experiences and incredible accomplishments, and prepared me well for my next opportunity,” said Pyne. “It has been a special privilege to help build and grow brands, networks and programming that touch and enrich the lives of viewers all around the world. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to work with fantastic people both at Disney, across the wider industry, as well as around the world, and I would like to thank them all for their passion, commitment and hard work.”

    Throughout his illustrious tenure at Disney, Pyne accomplished numerous substantial distribution achievements.

    Under his guidance, Disney Channel transitioned from a small pay cable channel to the successful global service it is today, growing its distribution from 6.5 million U.S. subscribers in 1992 when Pyne joined the company to nearly 100 million U.S. households, as well as an additional 500 million subscribers to over 107 international Disney channels that have been launched in the past 20+ years.

    Pyne has played a leading role in the negotiations of key deals with major U.S. and global distributors; was a chief architect in the ABC owned station retransmission consent strategy and the network’s “clearing house” initiative, which has further strengthened ABC’s relationship with its broadcast affiliates; and has been instrumental in securing unique video on demand VOD and subscription VOD deals, which included the popular subscription service Disney Channel On Demand and ABC’s fast forward-disabled VOD offering, a first for the U.S. television industry dating back to 2007.

    His team also oversaw affiliate-related aspects of the successful rebrand of Toon Disney to Disney XD, and has increased the distribution of Disney Media Network’s mobile video distribution business exponentially. He was integral to the 2013 launch of WATCH ABC, the U.S. television industry’s first live linear and on-demand authenticated local broadcast TV Everywhere service; the 2012 launches of the 24/7 linear channel for preschoolers, Disney Junior.

    Named president, global distribution, Disney Media Networks, in June 2007, Pyne worked with teams around the world and WDI to create an integrated distribution team known today as Disney Media Distribution. These efforts resulted in tremendous growth of sales revenue related to Disney|ABC series across more than 240 territories, and also saw the launch of a broad range of new distribution activities and branded services across broadcast, pay, digital and subscription video-on-demand platforms, including the growth of newer subscription video-on-demand services around the globe, including ABC Studios on Demand, Disney Movies on Demand and Hot from the U.S.

    In his current role, Pyne has the chief responsibility for the global distribution and sales of the far-reaching portfolio of entertainment and news content produced by The Walt Disney Company. This includes traditional television programming and short-form content – and their distribution to all platforms, including video-on-demand (VOD) and broadband platforms such as Netflix, Hulu and iTunes. Rounding out Pyne’s duties are responsibilities for The ABC Television Network’s Affiliate Relations department, including retransmission opportunities.

  • BuzzFeed, Keshet Studios tie up for gaming show, digital venture

    BuzzFeed, Keshet Studios tie up for gaming show, digital venture

    MUMBAI: BuzzFeed Motion Pictures partnered with the LA-based studio of global production and distribution powerhouse Keshet International (KI) to announce a game-changing TV and digital venture.

    BuzzFeed Motion Pictures and Keshet Studios will create a next-generation, transmedia version of the Israeli game show Touch that will be developed around the core concept created by Ido Rosenblum and Keshet for the original. As a leader in video and news content, with its hands on the pulse of the global audience, BuzzFeed’s brand, content and talent will play an integral role in the creation of the game show – further propelling its entrance into linear TV and expanding its already significant digital footprint, with simultaneous launches online and on mobile through its platforms and distribution channels.

    The partners will combine BuzzFeed’s unique approach to content creation and massive online promotional reach with KI’s IP and technology, and expertise of crafting linear TV shows with digital entertainment at the heart of their narratives. The original version of KI’s Touch, is an engaging game in which gut reaction, sharp eyes and quick fingers can win prizes. Based around the question, “What is wrong with this picture?,” it connects with viewers and online users in real-time or offline by quickly identifying what is wrong and touching the screen as the clock counts down.

    “We’re thrilled to being working with Keshet to develop Touch into a cross-platform, global show, said BuzzFeed Motion Pictures development head Matthew Henick. “Leveraging our audience-focused development process and our global promotional engine will make this a huge phenomenon.”

    Keshet International Digital and acquisition SVP Sebastian Burkhardt, commented, “BuzzFeed has been at the forefront of creating culturally defining and buzzworthy original online content. Working jointly with such a prolific and extraordinary partner, I believe we are well positioned to develop a next-generation game show. Together, we will create content that engages viewers of all ages and on all platforms as the speed of linear and digital convergence accelerates.”

    BuzzFeed Motion Pictures will team up with Keshet’s digital divisions and Keshet Studios’ non-scripted TV division, headed by Unscripted Programming President Rob Lee, to jointly develop and produce the multi-purpose venture. KI will handle the international rollout of the format in other territories.

  • BuzzFeed, Keshet Studios tie up for gaming show, digital venture

    BuzzFeed, Keshet Studios tie up for gaming show, digital venture

    MUMBAI: BuzzFeed Motion Pictures partnered with the LA-based studio of global production and distribution powerhouse Keshet International (KI) to announce a game-changing TV and digital venture.

    BuzzFeed Motion Pictures and Keshet Studios will create a next-generation, transmedia version of the Israeli game show Touch that will be developed around the core concept created by Ido Rosenblum and Keshet for the original. As a leader in video and news content, with its hands on the pulse of the global audience, BuzzFeed’s brand, content and talent will play an integral role in the creation of the game show – further propelling its entrance into linear TV and expanding its already significant digital footprint, with simultaneous launches online and on mobile through its platforms and distribution channels.

    The partners will combine BuzzFeed’s unique approach to content creation and massive online promotional reach with KI’s IP and technology, and expertise of crafting linear TV shows with digital entertainment at the heart of their narratives. The original version of KI’s Touch, is an engaging game in which gut reaction, sharp eyes and quick fingers can win prizes. Based around the question, “What is wrong with this picture?,” it connects with viewers and online users in real-time or offline by quickly identifying what is wrong and touching the screen as the clock counts down.

    “We’re thrilled to being working with Keshet to develop Touch into a cross-platform, global show, said BuzzFeed Motion Pictures development head Matthew Henick. “Leveraging our audience-focused development process and our global promotional engine will make this a huge phenomenon.”

    Keshet International Digital and acquisition SVP Sebastian Burkhardt, commented, “BuzzFeed has been at the forefront of creating culturally defining and buzzworthy original online content. Working jointly with such a prolific and extraordinary partner, I believe we are well positioned to develop a next-generation game show. Together, we will create content that engages viewers of all ages and on all platforms as the speed of linear and digital convergence accelerates.”

    BuzzFeed Motion Pictures will team up with Keshet’s digital divisions and Keshet Studios’ non-scripted TV division, headed by Unscripted Programming President Rob Lee, to jointly develop and produce the multi-purpose venture. KI will handle the international rollout of the format in other territories.

  • Keshet International’s Plan B nominated for 5 Israeli academy awards

    Keshet International’s Plan B nominated for 5 Israeli academy awards

    MUMBAI: Keshet International’s comedy-drama Plan B is enjoying an action-packed 2016 awards season. It has received five nominations at the Israeli Academy Awards 2016 and has been nominated in the TV Comedy Series category at the 56th Monte Carlo TV Festival.

    The nominated categories for the Israeli Academy Awards include Best Comedy Series, Best Screenplay, Best Director, Best Actor in a Comedy Series and Best Actress in a Comedy.

    At the Monte Carlo TV Festival, Plan B will compete for the coveted Comedy Series Nymph d’Or, alongside some of the world’s most internationally renowned comedies/comedy dramas includingBetter Call Saul (Sony Pictures, US), Catastrophe (Avalon TV/Amazon Studios, UK), Ash Vs Evil Dead (Starz, US and New Zealand), Cradle to Grave (ITV Studios, UK) and Maniac (Rubicon TV AS, Norway). The winner will be announced at the star-studded ceremony on 16 June 2016.

    Plan B was created by Ido Rosenblum (BOOM!, Touch ), who also plays the lead character, and Asaf Shalmon. It was produced by July August Productions for Keshet Broadcasting and is available from Keshet International as a 9 x 30’ series or scripted format.

    Plan B tells the story of Omri Gordon, a cool, laid-back and self-absorbed rock-star who one day finds an Ethiopian baby on his doorstep, holding a note saying he’s the dad. At first he does everything in his power to resist his fate, but in the process realizes life has given him a whole new song to sing.

    Omri’s claim to fame is his ethnically diverse group of band members. This “politically correct” appearance is put to the test when he discovers he has a child of mixed race origin.
    Even though Omri had an affair with one of his singer’s sisters, he refuses to believe the child is his. He is not ready to become a dad and in addition believes that a child will ruin his chances of winning back Yael, his great lost love. If Yael finds out Omri fathered a child while the two of them dated, all of the long-stem roses in the world won’t bring her back. But once the paternity test comes back positive, Omri has to face a new reality.

  • Keshet International’s Plan B nominated for 5 Israeli academy awards

    Keshet International’s Plan B nominated for 5 Israeli academy awards

    MUMBAI: Keshet International’s comedy-drama Plan B is enjoying an action-packed 2016 awards season. It has received five nominations at the Israeli Academy Awards 2016 and has been nominated in the TV Comedy Series category at the 56th Monte Carlo TV Festival.

    The nominated categories for the Israeli Academy Awards include Best Comedy Series, Best Screenplay, Best Director, Best Actor in a Comedy Series and Best Actress in a Comedy.

    At the Monte Carlo TV Festival, Plan B will compete for the coveted Comedy Series Nymph d’Or, alongside some of the world’s most internationally renowned comedies/comedy dramas includingBetter Call Saul (Sony Pictures, US), Catastrophe (Avalon TV/Amazon Studios, UK), Ash Vs Evil Dead (Starz, US and New Zealand), Cradle to Grave (ITV Studios, UK) and Maniac (Rubicon TV AS, Norway). The winner will be announced at the star-studded ceremony on 16 June 2016.

    Plan B was created by Ido Rosenblum (BOOM!, Touch ), who also plays the lead character, and Asaf Shalmon. It was produced by July August Productions for Keshet Broadcasting and is available from Keshet International as a 9 x 30’ series or scripted format.

    Plan B tells the story of Omri Gordon, a cool, laid-back and self-absorbed rock-star who one day finds an Ethiopian baby on his doorstep, holding a note saying he’s the dad. At first he does everything in his power to resist his fate, but in the process realizes life has given him a whole new song to sing.

    Omri’s claim to fame is his ethnically diverse group of band members. This “politically correct” appearance is put to the test when he discovers he has a child of mixed race origin.
    Even though Omri had an affair with one of his singer’s sisters, he refuses to believe the child is his. He is not ready to become a dad and in addition believes that a child will ruin his chances of winning back Yael, his great lost love. If Yael finds out Omri fathered a child while the two of them dated, all of the long-stem roses in the world won’t bring her back. But once the paternity test comes back positive, Omri has to face a new reality.

  • Keshet joins hands with Telefe Argentina for ‘Boom!’ game show

    Keshet joins hands with Telefe Argentina for ‘Boom!’ game show

    MUMBAI: Keshet International is launching an international production hub in partnership with Telefe Argentina for the game show Boom! The hub is available for use by all licensors of the format worldwide.

     

    Launched on 30 September, Telefe’s local version of Boom! became the slot leader across Argentina with an average share of 32.9 per cent. The same studio is now available to licensors along with full production crew so that international productions need only supply a cast and showrunner.

     

    This comes after KI and Telefe announced co-developing entertainment formats for global distribution on the back of the successful local adaptation of KI’s interactive talent format Rising Star, the second season of which is now on air.

     

    Boom!’s has also aired in Hungary (TV2), Kazakhstan (Channel Seven), Chile (TVN), and Uruguay (Canal 10, finished Spanish version) with a total of more than 400 episodes commissioned worldwide to date. The show has also performed well in the US on Fox. Versions for Cambodia (Bayon TV) and Peru (America TV) are in the pipeline.

     

    Boom! fuses the drama, thrill and intensity of a blockbuster action movie with the high-octane fun of a video game, creating one literally explosive trivia challenge. The show was created by Keshet, Ido Rosenblum and July August Productions.