Keshet, Dick Clark join forces

Keshet International (KI), the global distribution and production arm of Israel’s Keshet Media Group, is launching an unscripted US production operation with DC Media, parent to Dick Clark Productions.

The joint venture, Keshet DCP, will develop, finance and produce unscripted format-based programmes for English- and Spanish-speaking audiences in the US. It will also develop and produce new unscripted formats for the international marketplace.

The venture, for which a head is expected to be appointed soon, will have US rights to KI’s current catalogue of more than 20 unscripted formats and to future unscripted Keshet formats.

One of the first formats to be exploited by the operation will be Rising Star, a live talent show with innovative digital and social media elements. The original version of the show broke records this week in Israel when it drew a 49.4% HH share for Keshet Channel 2.

Other formats available to Keshet DCP include family gameshow Sure or Insure (launched at MipTV and already sold to eight territories) and children’s talent show Master Class (sold to five markets).

In a statement, Keshet Media Group CEO Avi Nir, said DC’s “expertise, proven track record and strong brand present the perfect partners for KI as we look to advance our content in the US.”

Allen Shapiro, CEO of DC Media, said of the joint venture: “By combining our powerful resources we hope to create a vast slate of the most compelling unscripted programming possible.”

The deal expands Keshet’s presence in the US, where the company’s formats have been the basis for Showtime drama Homeland and TBS reality show Deal With It.

Earlier this week, KI signed a deal with Fox International Channels that will result in a US version of Israeli drama series Shkufim.

DC Media is best know for So You Think You Can Dance and event shows including the Golden Globe Awards.