Sabra TV making gains abroad
‘Rising Star’ is headed to China while ‘Boom!’ will air on Kazakh TV
Debra writes for the JTA, and is a former features writer for The Times of Israel.
Two of Israel’s most popular television formats had better make sure their passports are current, as they continue to be snapped up by channels around the globe.
Keshet International’s “Boom!” the cheeky Israeli game show in which teams must answer trivia questions by snipping colored wires on a fake “bomb,” will have its debut on Kazakhstani television this fall. The program, in which teams run the risk of accidentally setting off the bombs and thus sending the entire set shaking, has been sold to Kazakhstan’s Channel SEVEN and will be produced by Arai Production.
The Kazakhstani acquisition of “Boom!” follows successful sales of the format to channels in the United States, Hungary, Belgium and France, where it will air soon, as well as Spain, where it debuted in September. Keshet International says an additional five international deals have been secured and will be announced soon.
Meanwhile, “Rising Star,” the interactive singing competition that smashes the fourth wall between the audience and performers and allows at-home viewers to participate live in the action via an integrated app, has been sold to Enlight Media China and will be broadcast on state television channel CCTV. Keshet earlier this week announced a two-season deal with the Chinese, which will put 30 episodes of the program on the air for a viewing audience of up to 1.2 billion people.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTv4HIjOsHY
“Rising Star” also has versions on the air in Brazil, Portugal and the United States.
The Times of Israel Community.