Keshet, Telefe team up on formats

Keshet International (KI), the global distribution and production arm of Keshet Media Group, has signed a co-development deal with Argentinian broadcaster Telefe.

Tomas Yankelevich

The companies will develop and finance entertainment formats jointly for the international market and aim to create two pilots a year. A number of projects are already underway, with KI retaining international distribution rights to resulting shows.

KI recently worked with Telefe on a local version of its interactive talent format Rising Star (Elegidos), which is into a second season in Argentina, while fellow KI show Boom! is set to air next month.

Although Rising Star, which will return for a third season in Israel this winter, has experienced mixed fortunes internationally, it did achieve good results in Argentina with a 33.6% average share.

Tomas Yankelevich, global content and international business director at Telefe, said that the deal would allow his company to work on new content “with international reach.”

Kelly Wright, sales director at KI, who brokered the deal, added: “Having worked with Telefe on Elegidos we encountered an enthusiastic, creative team with exceptional drive and skill.

“Tomas Yankelevich has a world-class understanding of entertainment and leads a talented group of experienced producers. We’re delighted to be working with this brilliant team over the long term.”

Telefe appointed Yankelevich in January to oversee its coproduction push while the broadcaster’s sales arm, Telefe International, restructured last year with the creation of two new divisions, one dedicated to sales and the other to copros.