Keshet International’s CEE Sales Director Cynthia Kennedy and MD of Distribution Keren Shahar tell CEETV’s Yako Molhov what have been the highlights for the company post-MIPCOM, including latest deals in CEE and plans for the new year.

CEETV: How busy was the post-MIPCOM period for Keshet?

KS: It was a very busy market for us. Most notably perhaps due to the Flase Flag deal we made with Fox International Channels (FIC). This is a landmark deal as it is the first non-English speaking series (let alone a Hebrew speaking series) FIC has bought for global roll out.

We also launched three new entertainment formats which were extremely well received our primetime studio-based variety-game show format Who’s on Top?, the work place dating format (from Keshet Productions UK) When Do You Get Off? and the hidden camera prank format Knockout.

We also launched a unique docu-drama one-off Sabena Hijacking: My Version. In addition to False Flag, on the scripted side we launched the comedy-drama Milk & Honey which was a huge success on the Israeli satellite platform, YES.

CEETV: What deals did you negotiate before, during and after the market, especially in the CEE region?

CK: Apart from False Flag which also includes CEE as part of the global deal, we closed a scripted format deal for The Baker & the Beauty in Russia and another CEE deal for a family sitcom which we will tell you more about soon.

CEETV: What were Keshet’s biggest hits at MIPCOM, the content that sparked the highest interest among buyers?

CK: There was a great deal of interest in our variety game show Who’s on Top? as well as Knockout, especially since this region is fond of hidden-camera pranks. Scripted continues to do well in this region and our new “dramedy” Milk & Honey was received with great enthusiasm.

CEETV: Tell us more about your most successful formats in the CEE region, what is currently in demand?

CK: Traffic Light aired for seven seasons in Russia and remains one of the best comedies on CTC. Master Class is a star performer on TV2 in Hungary, with three seasons already under their belt. Boom! also successfully aired on TV2, and we licensed 2 seasons in Kazakhstan.

CEETV: You recently opened an office in Asia. Is this the market that you will focus your efforts on expanding your presence? What about Latin America?

KS: Both are different in terms of business strategy and local tastes and needs but these are regions we have been seeing the most growth in during the past year and continue to be areas of focus for us going forward. We have great plans for each region, therefore opening up an office in Asia was the next natural step for us.

CEETV: You recently launched a gaming venture. What are your other strategic plans for development, especially in the content business?

KS: We are constantly expanding our business, as the entertainment landscape evolves. We are doing more and more co-development/co-investment deals with key partners (such as the co-dev deal with Telefe that was announced just before MIPCOM).

We are also going to do much more in the digital space in the coming year. We are actively engaging in scripted co-productions and investment, leveraging our ties and reputation in the scripted genre worldwide.