Keshet International Conducts Social Experiments

Keren Shahar, Keshet International’s COO and president of distribution, talks to TV Formats about the company’s new social-experiment formats.

There has been a revived interest in social experiments as of late, and Keshet International (KI) is taking advantage of the trend with the new docu-reality formats ManBirth and Boxed. According to Keren Shahar, the COO and president of distribution at the company, both titles are currently attracting a great deal of attention.

“Social experiments have always been popular, but there definitely seems to be a renewed appetite for them now,” says Shahar. “I think viewers are looking for more content that challenges them and that has a ‘take-away’ added value to them. Drama is becoming ever more sophisticated in terms of plots and characters, so it is a natural development that non-scripted fare is following suit. Watching these shows is not the same as watching a reality show. It’s an opportunity to learn, identify with the people on screen and think about how their experiences relate to our own lives.”

Speaking of relating, ManBirth offers fathers-to-be the chance to understand the physical and mental effects that pregnancy has on their partners. The show, created by IFA Media, premiered earlier this year on Mediacorp Channel 5 in Singapore and Beijing TV in China. KI is presenting both the format and finished tape at this week’s ATF.

“Already a ratings success in Asia, ManBirth is a format like no other that reveals new truths about pregnancy for participants and viewers alike,” says Shahar. “It uses unique technology so that men can experience common pregnancy discomforts and joys—for example weight and temperature changes, clumsiness, baby movements and contractions. It’s insightful, but most importantly heartwarming and entertaining, with a comical aspect.”

Boxed, which comes from Keshet Broadcasting, looks on as two individuals spend time together in an enclosed space while an expert mediator on the outside tries to help them resolve their dispute.

“Human conflict is an issue we can all relate to and Boxed offers a safe environment to resolve real-life issues, from family members disconnected for years, to those with shocking secrets to reveal,” says Shahar. “Boxed will resonate with viewers all over the world and help them to learn how best to resolve their own differences and look at their lives more positively.”

Simplicity is one of the most important ingredients of a successful social-experiment format, according to Shahar. “It needs to be fresh, innovative and not too complicated,” she says, adding that KI plans to explore additional social experiments in the future. “We are all fascinated with human nature and like to compare ourselves to others, so ideas that test people’s patience, morals and emotions are attractive to us. If you can develop a format that not only entertains, but also offers viewers unrivaled insight which they can relate to and use within their own lives, you’re on the right track.”