Fremantle takes over Abot Hameiri

Abot Hameiri’s Power Couple is produced in 14 markets

European production group Fremantle has taken full ownership of Israeli production company Abot Hameiri.

Founded in 2006 and headed by Eitan Abot and Guy Hameiri, the Tel Aviv-based producer is behind a number of programmes across scripted, entertainment and reality.

Fremantle acquired a 51% stake in the company in 2016 and has now increased it to 100%. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The company’s original IP includes Power Couple, produced in 14 markets, and Hear Me, Love Me, See Me, produced in 12 markets to date.

In 2020, Abot Hameiri launched its latest reality dating format, Find Me Somebody To Love, which premiered on Reshet 13 and was quickly recommissioned for a second season.

Andrea Scrosati

The company is also the Israeli producer for global formats such as Got Talent, Survivor and The X Factor, which will return on Reshet 13 this summer with Simon Cowell as a judge alongside Eurovision winner Netta.

Its scripted work includes Shtisel, season three of which has just launched globally on Netflix, and The Attaché, which recently premiered on premium streaming platforms including Starzplay in Europe and Acorn TV in the US following a number of sales led by Fremantle.

Other scripted projects in development include Bibi, a high-end TV series about the life of Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu written by award-winning screenwriter Kirk Ellis, as well as Prisoner X, a drama series based on the extraordinary true story of Mossad recruit Ben Zygier.

Andrea Scrosati, chief operating officer at Fremantle, said: “The potential of the IP, of the stories and of the talent which the team at Abot Hameiri bring together is huge and I have no doubt that the incredible success the company has enjoyed in Israel and internationally will continue to grow globally, thanks to the continued support and interaction with our teams in global entertainment, global scripted and distribution”.

Drama The Attaché premiered on streamers including Starzplay and Acorn TV

Hameiri added: “Israel is a highly creative country and through our partnership with Fremantle, the team at Abot Hameiri has been able to showcase this and bring genre-defining shows to the wider international market. By marrying our flourishing multi-genre development slate with the expertise, experience and creative global network that Fremantle has to offer, we are certain we will continue to produce premium scripted, entertainment and factual programming for audiences worldwide”

The deal will see Abot Hameiri sit alongside other Fremantle companies such Danish scripted label Miso, Dutch outfit Fiction Valley, Italian producers Wildside and The Apartment and French label Kwai.