Viacom invests in Israel’s Ananey

Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) has acquired a minority stake in Israeli pay TV channel and producer Ananey Communications Group.

David Lynn

The two companies already have an existing relationship that sees Ananey represent Viacom brands including Comedy Central, MTV and Nickelodeon in Israel, as well as its programming sales and consumer products business.

Ananey, which owns and operates seven of its own pay TV channels in Israel, also develops formats and programmes for the international TV market.

These include food and travel show Street Food Around The World, comedy sketch show The Green Project and teen drama The Greenhouse, which is the first Israeli show to be remade by Netflix for English-speaking audiences.

The firm also produces digital and interactive content and apps, including the SpongeBob Master mobile app that is available to download in Israel and Hungary and is expected to launch in the UK in 2017.

Under the terms of the transaction, financial details of which were not disclosed, VIMN has an option to acquire a controlling stake in Ananey in the future.

The deal has also seen VIMN senior VP, general manager for Central and Eastern Europe and Israel, Bartosz Witak, join the board of Ananey.

David Lynn, the recently named president and CEO of VIMN, said: “This deal will deepen our partnership with Ananey, which has delivered success for both companies over many years.

“We are delighted to cement our strong position in this valuable pay TV market and pursue new opportunities with a leading content producer in one of the most dynamic production sectors internationally.”