AOL goes longform with Israeli format

AOL has commissioned a US version of Israeli factual entertainment format Connected as its first longform video series.

The show, which arms five seemingly disconnected people with cameras to chronicle their lives, uncovering the parallels between them, will debut on AOL’s premium video network this summer.

Ram Landes, who created the original version for Israeli broadcaster Hot TV, will produce the AOL adaptation in New York through his prodco Koda Communications.

The deal was struck by licensor Armoza Formats, which has scored a string of remakes for Connected around the world. Versions are currently on air in Denmark, Estonia, Finland, India, the Netherlands and elsewhere.

It is AOL’s first acquisition and adaption of an existing format and comes off the back of a slate of 15 original shortform series launched by the company last year.

“Our original content offerings are constantly evolving and longform was the natural next step,” said AOL Video president Ran Harnevo.