When Showtime's U.S. adaptation of Gideon Raff's Israeli series Prisoners of War won the Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series -- the first ever for a foreign format -- it changed the game. Suddenly TV producers from Singapore to Poland were pitching their shows to U.S. networks and the networks, suddenly, were listening.
BANFF, Alberta – Israel’s Keshet International has stepped up efforts to get its formats into Canada by launching a local joint venture headed by former Alliance Atlantis Broadcasting executive Mark Rubenstein.
The global distribution arm of the Keshet Media Group is also eyeing tie-ups with Canadian producers to make original content as it expands its global footprint.
Keshet International earlier launched U.K. and Australian offices.
In the latest move, Rubenstein and Keshet International managing director Alon Shtruzman hammered out the joint venture deal for Canada, which holds the rights to more than 50 properties to be adapted under the Keshet Canada banner.
“Keshet’s swift international growth in recent years is a testament to the company’s ability to transcend international borders with its innovative scripted and unscripted programming,” said Rubinstein.
Recent Canadian distribution deals by Keshet International include Video Services Corp acquiring the broadcast, DVD and VOD rights for Prisoners of War, off of which Homeland is based.
