CBSSI in First-Look Deal with Alon Aranya

CBS Studios International (CBSSI) has signed a multiyear, first-look deal with writer and producer Alon Aranya and his new company, Paper Plane Productions.

Aranya’s credits include Hostages, based on the Israeli format Bnei Aruba and produced for CBS, and Red Widow, based on the Dutch format Penoza and with ABC. Currently, Aranya is collaborating on several projects with CBS Television Studios, including serving as an executive producer on Your Honor, which has a series commitment at Showtime and is based on the Israeli format Kvodo.

The deal will include identifying, developing and producing premium programming across a wide range of genres for the international marketplace.

“We are thrilled to be working with Alon again,” said Meghan Lyvers, senior VP of co-productions and development at CBSSI. “We share a mutual curiosity for smart, diverse storytelling and look forward to finding new ways we can bring projects to global audiences in this rapidly changing content landscape. With more platforms and more demand for programming, it’s an exciting time to be in our business, and Alon is a terrific partner in this journey.”

“I’m excited to partner with Meghan Lyvers and CBS Studios International on this new global venture. We share a clear vision on how to supply premium original foreign programming to the growing demands of the international marketplace,” said Aranya. “I’ve had the pleasure of working with extraordinary, talented creators all over the world for the past eight years, producing the U.S. adaptations of their work. Now that the international marketplace is finally ripe for premium quality international drama, it’s possible to develop and produce shows with talented creators and producers overseas, helping them put out their best work yet for local and global marketplace. Ten years ago, I was excited to be one of the pioneers in the scripted format adaptations business in the U.S. Now, CBS Studios and I are embarking on a new global venture to produce international, original shows. I’m truly thrilled about the stories we will be able to tell through this new venture.”