Global content producer and distributor Keshet International has appointed international C-suite TV executive Nehama Cohen to the newly created role of SVP of Development & Network, Non-Scripted. Reporting to KI’s CEO Keren Shahar, Cohen will be responsible for creating and developing original non-scripted formats for KI, alongside the successful international roll-out and adaptation of the non-scripted formats within the global distributor’s diverse catalog.
Cohen’s priority will be working with KI’s non-scripted hubs, the distribution team, and Keshet 12's development team, to create new, original formats with global appeal. She will also lead the creative and development process with all third-party partners - including Satisfaction Group, with which KI recently formed a creative alliance.
Keren Shahar, KI’s CEO said: “I am thrilled that Nehama has chosen to return to the Keshet family! Her appointment reinforces Keshet International’s renewed focus on our non-scripted formats' strategy, as a developer, producer and distributor of global content. I am confident that Nehama’s limitless creativity, as well as the extensive experience she’s gained throughout her impressive career will help accelerate our ambitions in the unscripted space.”
Nehama Cohen commented: “I’m grateful to return to Keshet, the place where I first stepped into the TV industry. Keshet has a remarkable track record of creating exceptional and innovative original content, and I’m eager to contribute my experience and passion to the non-scripted space. I’m looking forward to collaborating with our talented partners at KI as we strive to bring fresh and inspiring formats to the global market.”
A creative storyteller with over 20 years’ experience devising diverse standout content for the global television market, Cohen joins KI following a four-year tenure as Chief Creative Officer at Armoza Formats (part of ITV Group), where she oversaw the creation and development of all non-scripted projects company-wide having joined the company as Head of Development in 2013, including "The Four – Battle for Stardom" (FOX), "I Can Do That" (NBC), and "Babushka" (ITV). Before that, she was at Channel 10 (Israel) where, as Managing Editor, she managed the development and production of original primetime shows, including gameshow "Still Standing," and acquired formats, such as "Beauty and the Geek" and "The Real Housewives." An experienced and respected showrunner, Cohen has also held various production and development roles at Erez Tal Productions, Kuperman Productions, and Keshet Broadcasting, where she started her career in TV as an Acquisitions executive in 1999, before quickly being promoted to Head of Acquisitions the following year.
This year has seen a number of KI’s non-scripted formats adapted and produced in local territories, including Keshet Broadcasting’s International Emmy®-nominated dating format “Dear Neighbors,” which is being adapted in the US by Keshet Studios for Hallmark+ as “Small Town Setup” with Ashley Williams as host; the first Spanish adaptation of Tuesday’s Child Televisions’ compelling music quiz show “The Hit List,” co-produced by Topanga Crea and Doble Diez for Televisión Canaria; KI’s and Youngest Media physical word search puzzle gameshow “The Search,” produced by The Mediapro Studio as “Sopa de letras” for Aragón TV (Spain); and Ido Rosenblum and July August Productions’ explosive gameshow “Boom!” which returned to Spain, this time produced by Mediacrest for Mediaset Espana after eight seasons on Atresmedia’s Antena 3, where it broke two Guiness World Records during its nine years on air.
In addition, earlier this year, Keshet International and Satisfaction Group (SG) signed a multi-territory agreement to form a creative alliance in the non-scripted formats space. Creatives from both format powerhouses met in Paris in June as part of SG’s inaugural International Creative Alliance Days, which led to the first-look deal between KI’s German prodco Tresor and Yes Yes Media, the Sister and SG-backed British indie launched by Richard Bacon (12 Sept 2024); and the recently announced collaboration between KI and Ah! Productions to co-develop the Keshet format “Together or Never” for the French market.