Channel 20

Channel 14 workers and supporters protest against Yair Lapid, the then-prime minister, in Tel Aviv on October 11, 2022. The poster reads: "Especially now: 14" (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

July 20, 2023, 6:28 am

As divisions sharpen, an incendiary right-wing news channel finally finds an audience

Channel 14 now draws as many viewers as legacy networks, giving voice to conservatives tired of mainstream news, despite repeated scandals and charges of pro-Netanyahu propaganda

By Amy Spiro

Transportation Minister Merav Michaeli speaks during a press conference in Ashdod port, southern Israel, on April 6, 2022. (Flash90)

May 11, 2022, 3:03 pm

Merav Michaeli sues right-wing pundit over tweet on Beersheba terror attack

Transportation minister seeks NIS 300,000 in damages over March comment by Channel 14’s Shimon Riklin suggesting she mourned the death of a terrorist

By ToI Staff

Anchors and presenters of Now 14, the TV news channel in Israel formerly at Channel 20. (Courtesy Channel 14)

January 14, 2022, 3:20 pm

Repositioned news channel 14 aims for mainstream while keeping pro-Netanyahu script

The former Channel 20 is trying to make itself into a true conservative alternative to news channels 12 and 13, but critics say doing so will mean breaking with the former PM

By Jessica Steinberg

Illustrative: Former Prime Minister's Office manager Nir Hefetz, (center) and Israeli media tycoon Shaul Elovitch (left back) and Eli Kamir (right back) seen at the courtroom for the extension of their remand in Case 4000, at the Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court, February 26, 2018. (Flash90)

November 12, 2021, 7:49 pm

Ex-Netanyahu aide said set to testify to family’s involvement in media matters

Some details from Nir Hefetz’s prep-meeting with prosecution leaked to press, amid report he has received threats

By ToI Staff

Illustrative: A live broadcast by Channel 20, at Habima square in Tel Aviv on November 25, 2020. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)

August 25, 2021, 12:35 pm

Rightist outlet backtracks after report exults in death of ‘terror supporter’ MK

Channel 20 deletes article on the passing of Ra’am’s Said al-Harumi that opened with Bible verse rejoicing in death of ‘the wicked,’ says writer acted without consulting

By ToI Staff

Channel 20 correspondent Kobi Finkler during a May 19, 2021 broadcast. (Screen capture/YouTube)

May 20, 2021, 11:21 pm

Right-wing channel axes reporter who lamented lack of Arab Israeli casualties

Kobi Finkler says days of reporting without sleep led him to say ‘unfortunately it did not lead to many deaths’ after rockets from Lebanon hit empty soccer field in northern town

By ToI Staff

Right-wing journalist Shimon Riklin during a Channel 20 broadcast in Tel Aviv on October 15, 2020. (Gili Yaari /Flash90)

January 18, 2021, 4:02 pm

Right-wing Channel 20 wins tender to move to channel 14, likely boosting ratings

Move expected to benefit network by placing it alongside Israel’s 3 major channels on TV remotes; unclear if station, sometimes likened to Fox News, will rebrand

By ToI Staff

Anti-Netanyahu protesters disrupt a broadcast by Channel 20 at Habima Square in Tel Aviv, September 29, 2020. (Screenshot: Twitter)

September 30, 2020, 10:16 am

Anti-Netanyahu protesters attack right-wing TV crew, disrupt broadcast

Union of Journalists condemns incident during Tel Aviv rally; Black Flags protest group highlights reporter’s headbutting of demonstrator, urges probe

By Michael Bachner

Screen capture from video of a Channel 20 interview with Yitzhak Gabai, a right-wing Jewish extremist, as he explained how he torched a Jewish-Arab school in Jerusalem. The show was broadcast on November 11, 2018. (Channel 20)

November 12, 2018, 12:07 pm

Channel 20 slammed for amicable interview with torcher of Arab-Jewish school

Right-wing station issues apology after arsonist Yitzhak Gabai cheerfully declares live on air that he doesn’t regret setting fire to bilingual institute in Jerusalem

By Stuart Winer and ToI Staff

US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman in Jerusalem on August 22, 2018 (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

September 20, 2018, 4:00 pm

US envoy: Abbas pay to family of terrorist who killed Ari Fuld is unconscionable

After PA officials tell ToI that Jabarin family will get monthly stipend, Ambassador Friedman says such payments must stop ‘if there is to be any hope of peace’

By ToI Staff

Khalil Jabarin, who fatally stabbed Israeli Ari Fuld in a West Bank terror attack on September 16, 2018 (Screenshot/Twitter)

September 19, 2018, 7:40 pm

PA hasn’t yet paid family of terrorist who killed Fuld, but they’ll be eligible

Official denies Israel TV report that claimed the Jabarin family already received an advance, but says there’s no secret ‘about our support for our prisoners’

By Adam Rasgon

A view of the television studios of the Knesset Channel, at the Knesset, Jan 19, 2011. (Isaac Harari/FLASH90)

May 31, 2018, 6:17 pm

In reversal, Channel 10 wins rights to broadcast Knesset TV

State regulator awards parliamentary channel to RGE Group production company, following court order blocking right-wing competitor from bid due to irregularities in tender

By Raoul Wootliff

Maj. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot (R) with then Defense Minister Ehud Barak, in June 2010 (Ministry of Defense/Flash 90)

December 26, 2017, 3:21 pm

IDF chief comes under fire for meeting with Ehud Barak

Army says two only discussed security matters in parley day before former prime minister warned Netanyahu’s policies could cause soldiers to disobey orders

By Raoul Wootliff

Channel 20 employees protest in front of the government building in central Tel Aviv against the impending closure of the channel, on December 25, 2017. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)

December 25, 2017, 6:09 pm

Dozens of Channel 20 workers protest over possible closure

After right-wing station violates license terms, Justice Ministry recommends limiting news broadcasts; owner says enterprise may no longer be viable

By ToI Staff

December 7, 2017, 6:24 pm

Right-leaning Channel 20 loses rights to broadcast Knesset TV

Following court decision against station, state regulator forced to look at competitor that placed second in tender

By Raoul Wootliff and ToI Staff