Comedy Central Heads to Israel

LONDON/TEL AVIV: Comedy Central is to make its debut in Israel on January 1, 2011, marking its tenth localized service.

MTV Networks International is launching the channel in partnership with Ananey Communications. Comedy Central Israel will be available via HOT, with the service reaching more than 1.3 million TV households at launch. It will be fully localized in the Hebrew language.

Bhavneet Singh, the managing director and executive VP for emerging markets at MTVNI, commented: “The launch of Comedy Central Israel is a great example of how we are building scale with our entertainment channels and we’re delighted to further expand our portfolio in Israel in partnership with our friends, Ananey Communications and HOT. Audiences in Israel have an insatiable appetite for comedy and we feel that this desire, combined with the globally renowned Comedy Central brand, portfolio and know-how, gives us the perfect opportunity to make a real impact in Israel with content that is relevant and funny to Israelis in Hebrew. With this launch, we’re really looking forward to creating THE destination for comedy in Israel.”

Udi Miron, the CEO of Ananey Communications, said: “We are committed to bringing the best international brands for the benefit of the Israeli television audience. Comedy Central, as a leading channel in its genre, is a significant example of this commitment.”

Yoram Mokadi, the VP of content at HOT, added: “The strategic connection with MTVNI and the introduction into Israel of the international brand, Comedy Central, a leading entertainment channel for young people, presents a quantum leap into an international league of innovative, rich and quality content, which our young viewers will be able to enjoy. Moreover, the cooperation in the coming years may lead to the import of new formats, and give us precedence in a variety of series and acquired content, as well as the potential introduction of new channels to our platform.”