Keshet Media Group
Keshet Media Group is an Israeli private media company active in television broadcasting, content production, digital publishing, and international format distribution.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Keshet Media Group, also known simply as Keshet, is an Israeli private mass-media company headquartered in Tel Aviv. Established in 1993 during the creation of Israel's commercial Channel 2, it developed from a domestic television broadcaster into a diversified content business spanning scripted and unscripted production, entertainment, current affairs, digital publishing, and international distribution. For much of its early history, Keshet Broadcasting was one of the operators sharing Channel 2 with Reshet and Telad. Keshet's programming helped make Channel 2 a dominant force in Israeli television, particularly after the channel became the country's most-watched television service in the mid-1990s. Its schedule has included drama, comedy, satire, reality competition, talent formats, lifestyle programming, news-related content, and imported television. Notable Israeli productions associated with the group include the satire series Eretz Nehederet, the reality format HaAh HaGadol, the drama Hatufim, the current-affairs program Uvda, and the talent format HaKokhav HaBa, known internationally as Rising Star. Keshet's most internationally influential production has been Hatufim, a drama about former prisoners of war returning to civilian life. The series was sold for adaptation in the United States and became the creative foundation for Homeland, helping establish Keshet as a significant exporter of Israeli television concepts. Other Keshet formats and scripted properties have also been adapted or licensed abroad, including Ramzor, The Ex, Boom!, and Rising Star. The company expanded beyond broadcasting through Keshet International, its global production and distribution arm. Keshet International has operated or partnered with production and distribution businesses in markets including the United Kingdom, United States, Germany, and Asia. Its activities include developing local versions of Keshet formats, producing scripted and unscripted programs, and selling finished programs and intellectual property to broadcasters and streaming platforms. Keshet also operates Mako, a major Israeli Hebrew-language news and entertainment portal. Mako combines written coverage of news, entertainment, sports, music, food, technology, lifestyle, and other subjects with video-on-demand content connected to Keshet programming. The broader group has also been associated with entertainment and digital properties such as Bip, Music 24, and Netex New Media. In 2017, Israel's television licensing reform ended the Channel 2 operating structure. Channel 2 closed in November of that year, and Keshet's broadcasting operation was relaunched as Keshet 12, a full-time commercial television channel. The change moved Keshet from a part-time Channel 2 franchise model to operation of its own branded national channel. Keshet therefore combines a prominent Israeli broadcasting identity with a broader international content business. Avi Nir has served as chief executive since 2002, while Alex Gilady is identified with the company's founding and presidency.
History
Keshet was founded in 1993, when Israel established Channel 2 as a commercial television service operated by multiple licensed companies. Alongside Telad and Reshet, Keshet became one of the channel's operating entities. The company's founder, Alex Gilady, had previously worked as a vice president at NBC International in London. Keshet's initial business was therefore closely tied to the development of Israel's commercial television market and to the shared-channel franchise system. Keshet produced its first drama, Bat Yam, New York, in 1996. That year Channel 2 became Israel's most-watched television channel, creating a large national audience for the operators and their original programming. Keshet gradually built a broad schedule combining drama, comedy, reality television, satire, current affairs, and imported programs. In 2003 it premiered Eretz Nehederet, a political and social satire modeled in part on sketch-comedy traditions such as Saturday Night Live. The program became one of Israel's best-known television shows and developed an unusual ability to influence public discussion of politics and social conflict. A major institutional change came in 2005, when Israel's Second Broadcasting Authority selected operators for the next phase of Channel 2. Keshet ranked first and received four broadcasting days per week, while Reshet received the remaining two days. During the same period, Keshet acquired the rights to Uvda, an investigative and current-affairs program hosted by Ilana Dayan. Uvda had begun in 1993 and became one of the longest-running programs associated with Israel's commercial television era. Its investigations were reported as having prompted police and governmental responses, including inquiries and special committees. Keshet expanded its entertainment portfolio in 2007 with the Israeli version of Big Brother, HaAh HaGadol. The program became a major ratings success and one of the most important reality franchises in Israeli television. Keshet subsequently developed or broadcast additional reality, talent, and game-show formats, including Beit Sefer le Musica, Boom!, and HaKokhav HaBa. The latter was later marketed internationally as Rising Star and became one of Keshet's most prominent global formats. The company's international reputation grew through scripted programming. In 2010 Keshet launched Hatufim, a drama about former prisoners of war attempting to return to ordinary life. The series was licensed for adaptation in the United States, where it became Homeland. Keshet was involved as an executive producer in the adaptation, and the success of Homeland demonstrated the commercial value of Israeli-originated television concepts in global markets. Other Keshet properties, including Ramzor, The Ex, Yellow Peppers, Arab Labor, and Sabri Maranan, were also sold, adapted, or distributed internationally. Keshet formalized its international activities by establishing Keshet International in 2012. The division developed production and distribution operations or partnerships in the United Kingdom, United States, Germany, Hong Kong, and other markets. Its role has included format sales, finished-program distribution, local production, and development of scripted and unscripted projects. This international arm complemented Keshet's domestic broadcasting business by turning programs created for Israeli audiences into exportable intellectual property. Digital media became another important part of the group. Keshet operates Mako, a Hebrew-language news and entertainment portal offering written journalism and video content. Mako covers news, entertainment, sports, music, food, lifestyle, technology, and other subjects, and also carries on-demand material from Keshet programs and related channels. Keshet has additionally been associated with digital and entertainment properties including Bip, Music 24, and Netex New Media. In November 2017, Israel's licensing reform ended the shared Channel 2 structure. Channel 2 ceased operating, and Keshet Broadcasting was relaunched as Keshet 12, a continuously broadcasting national channel rather than a service operating only on designated days. Keshet consequently entered a new phase in which its Israeli identity was centered on a dedicated television channel, while Keshet International and Mako extended the brand into global production, distribution, and digital publishing. Avi Nir has been chief executive since 2002, and Alex Gilady is identified as the founder and president.
- 2017
Keshet 12 replaces Keshet's Channel 2 operation
[1]Following Israel's broadcasting reform and the closure of Channel 2, Keshet relaunches its domestic broadcaster as the full-time Keshet 12 channel.
- 2012
Keshet International is established
[1]Keshet creates its international production and distribution division.
- 2010
Hatufim premieres
[1]Keshet launches Hatufim, a drama that is later adapted in the United States as Homeland.
- 2007
HaAh HaGadol launches
[1]Keshet launches Israel's version of Big Brother, which becomes a major ratings and popular-culture success.
- 2005
Keshet receives the larger Channel 2 schedule
[1]A broadcasting authority selection awards Keshet four Channel 2 broadcasting days per week, with Reshet receiving the other two.
- 2003
Eretz Nehederet premieres
[1]Keshet debuts the political and social satire Eretz Nehederet, which becomes one of Israel's most popular television programs.
- 1996
First Keshet drama is produced
[1]Keshet produces Bat Yam, New York, identified as its first drama series, while Channel 2 becomes Israel's most-watched channel.
- 1993
Keshet is established
[1]Keshet is founded during the creation of Israel's commercial Channel 2, alongside the other licensed operators Telad and Reshet.
Products and positioning
A leading Israeli commercial television and content company combining mass-market local programming, influential current-affairs and entertainment brands, digital publishing, and international television production and distribution.
Television channel · 2017
Keshet 12
Keshet 12 is Keshet's Israeli national commercial television channel. It was launched in November 2017 when the former Channel 2 shared-broadcasting structure ended. Unlike Keshet Broadcasting's former Channel 2 franchise, Keshet 12 operates as a dedicated, continuously broadcasting channel carrying Keshet's original entertainment, drama, reality, current-affairs, lifestyle, and other programming.
Digital news and entertainment portal
Mako
Mako is Keshet's Hebrew-language digital portal and one of Israel's major online news and entertainment destinations. It publishes material across news, television, entertainment, sports, music, food, lifestyle, technology, and other categories. The service also provides video-on-demand content from Keshet programs and related entertainment properties.
International production and distribution · 2012
Keshet International
Keshet International is Keshet's global production, format, and distribution business. It sells Keshet-created television concepts and finished programs, develops local adaptations, and participates in scripted and unscripted production through operations and partnerships in markets including the United Kingdom, United States, Germany, Hong Kong, and other territories.
Drama series · 2010
Hatufim
Hatufim is a Keshet drama about former prisoners of war returning from captivity and attempting to rebuild their lives and relationships. Its international licensing and adaptation led to Homeland in the United States, making the series a defining example of Keshet's ability to export Israeli scripted television.
Talent competition format
Rising Star
Rising Star is the international name for Keshet's Israeli singing and talent competition HaKokhav HaBa. The format incorporates audience participation and voting into a televised competition and was sold for adaptation in multiple international markets.
Satire and sketch comedy · 2003
Eretz Nehederet
Eretz Nehederet is Keshet's long-running Israeli political and social satire program. Drawing on sketch-comedy and topical television traditions, it comments on political figures, social divisions, and public controversies. Its sketches have frequently entered Israeli political and media discussion beyond the entertainment press.
Investigative and current-affairs program · 1993
Uvda
Uvda is an investigative and current-affairs program hosted by Ilana Dayan and associated with Keshet's broadcasting operation. The program is known for long-form reporting and investigations into public institutions, policing, politics, and business. It predates Keshet's founding but became part of the company's programming portfolio after Keshet acquired its rights.
Marketing campaigns
- 2012Innovation in Television conference
Israel · International television industry
Keshet launched the Innovation in Television conference in Jerusalem as a forum for creators, executives, industry leaders, and media thinkers to discuss television development and innovation.
Outcome. The conference became a recurring industry event associated with Keshet's international profile and television-business network.
Brand decisions
2017
Keshet Broadcasting is relaunched as Keshet 12Generation changeBackground
Israel's broadcasting-licensing reform ended the shared Channel 2 operating model, and Channel 2 closed in November 2017.
Action taken
Keshet rebranded and relaunched its domestic broadcasting business as Keshet 12, a dedicated 24-hour channel.
Aftermath
Keshet moved from a part-time franchise schedule to operation of its own branded national commercial channel.
2012
Keshet creates Keshet InternationalStrategyBackground
Keshet had been selling television formats internationally through Keshet Formats since 2000 and sought a broader international production and distribution platform.
Action taken
The company established Keshet International and developed operations or partnerships in several overseas markets.
Aftermath
Keshet expanded from an Israeli broadcaster into a global seller and producer of scripted and unscripted television.
2005
Keshet accepts the larger Channel 2 operating allocationStrategyBackground
Israel's broadcasting authority selected operators for the next phase of the commercial Channel 2 system.
Action taken
Keshet was awarded four broadcasting days per week, while Reshet received the remaining two days.
Aftermath
The allocation reinforced Keshet's position as the leading operator within the shared Channel 2 structure until the system was replaced in 2017.
Recent events
- 2017
Keshet launches Keshet 12 after the end of Channel 2[1]
Product launch · Regulation
Israel's Channel 2 closed as part of a broadcasting-licensing reform, and Keshet's former Channel 2 operation was relaunched as the full-time Keshet 12 channel.
- 2012
Keshet establishes Keshet International[1]
M&A
Keshet created a dedicated global production and distribution arm to develop, produce, and sell its television formats and programming internationally.
- 2012
Keshet launches the Innovation in Television conference[1]
Campaign · Other
Keshet launched the Innovation in Television conference in Jerusalem, bringing together television creators, executives, industry leaders, and media thinkers.
- 2011
Hatufim becomes the basis for Homeland[1]
Product generation · Other
Keshet's Israeli drama Hatufim was sold for American adaptation and became the creative source for the Showtime series Homeland, increasing international attention on Israeli television production.
Sources1 sources
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