Channel 12 (Israel)

Keshet 12, commonly known as Channel 12, is an Israeli free-to-air commercial television network owned by Keshet Media Group, broadcasting a mix of news, entertainment, drama, and reality programming to a national audience.^[1][2] The channel launched on November 1, 2017, as one of two successors to the former Channel 2 franchise following a regulatory reform that ended the joint broadcasting arrangement between Keshet and Reshet, with Keshet securing the 12th channel slot through a competitive tender process.^[2] Keshet Media Group, established in 1993 as a founding partner in Israel's commercial television era, holds majority ownership, with significant stakes controlled by investors including Central Bottling Company, which owns approximately 64.6% of the group.^[3][4] Keshet 12 has maintained dominance in commercial viewership, achieving an average 25% share of primetime audiences in 2024 through flagship news programs like HaHadashot 12 and popular formats adapted internationally, such as reality shows and original dramas.^[1][5] While praised for its production quality and broad appeal, Channel 12 has drawn criticism for perceived left-leaning bias in its news coverage, particularly during political events like the 2023 judicial reform protests, where it has been accused by right-wing observers of amplifying opposition narratives and serving as a platform for anti-government activism.^[6] This scrutiny intensified amid declining ratings against emerging right-wing competitors like Channel 14, reflecting polarized media consumption in Israel, though the channel has defended its reporting as independent and threatened legal action against comparisons to outlets like Al Jazeera.^[7][8]

History

Origins in the Channel 2 Franchise System

Channel 2, Israel's inaugural commercial television channel, launched on November 4, 1993, under a franchise system regulated by the Second Authority for Television and Radio, which awarded broadcasting concessions through competitive tenders to promote diverse programming while ensuring state oversight.^[9] The initial tender process concluded on November 3, 1993, selecting three franchisees—Keshet, Reshet, and Telad—each tasked with producing and airing content on designated days of the week, typically two days per franchisee with rotating Saturday slots to fill the broadcast schedule.^[10] Keshet Media Group was founded in 1993 expressly to secure and operate one of these Channel 2 franchises, marking its entry into Israeli broadcasting as a key player in entertainment and news production.^[11] Under the system, franchisees bid substantial sums for decade-long concessions—Keshet committing significant investments in infrastructure and content—and alternated airtime, fostering competition within the shared channel while sharing operational costs like transmission.^[12] A 2005 re-tender reshaped the landscape: Keshet and Reshet retained their franchises after submitting the highest bids (NIS 171 million from Keshet and NIS 124 million from Reshet), while Telad was ousted, ending its broadcasts on October 29, 2005.^[12][13] With only two franchisees remaining, they divided the week into alternating blocks, typically four days each, rotating schedules biennially to balance audience access and revenue from advertising tied to viewership ratings.^[14] This duopoly franchise model persisted until legislative reforms aimed at enhancing market competition mandated the system's termination, culminating in Channel 2's closure on October 31, 2017, and the transition of Keshet's operations to an independent full-week channel.^[15] Keshet's tenure under the franchise honed its production capabilities, including high-rated news and drama formats, which directly informed the programming strategy for its successor entity.^[16]

Launch as an Independent Channel in 2017

The launch of Channel 12 on November 1, 2017, marked the transition of Keshet Media Group's broadcasting operations from the shared Channel 2 franchise to an independent, dedicated channel frequency. This shift ended a two-decade system in which Keshet and Reshet alternated airtime on Channel 2, a model established in 1993 for Israel's first commercial television outlets.^[15][16] The Israeli Second Authority for Television and Radio had mandated the franchise split in 2015 to enhance competition and allow each concessionaire full control over programming schedules, culminating in the assignment of Channel 12 to Keshet following a regulatory tender process concluded in April 2017.^[17] At midnight on November 1, Channel 2 ceased operations, with Keshet immediately commencing 24-hour broadcasting on Channel 12, replacing the previous time-sharing arrangement that limited each partner to specific evening slots.^[15] The new independent format enabled Keshet to expand its content offerings beyond prime-time hours, incorporating round-the-clock news, entertainment, and acquired programming tailored to sustain viewer engagement in a fragmented market.^[16] Initially, news production remained collaborative through Hevrat HaHadashot, with bulletins divided between Channel 12 and the concurrent Reshet 13 launch on the same date, until Keshet assumed full control in 2019.^[18] The independence brought operational challenges, including higher fixed costs for full-day transmission and intensified rivalry with Channel 10, but positioned Keshet to leverage its established hits like investigative series Uvda and reality formats for broader audience retention. Regulatory requirements stipulated a minimum investment in original Israeli content, prompting Keshet to allocate significant budgets to local productions from launch day.^[17] This structural reform aimed to invigorate the commercial TV sector, though early ratings data indicated viewer fragmentation as audiences adjusted to the bifurcated landscape.^[16]

Post-Launch Expansion and Challenges

Channel 12 experienced rapid audience growth following its November 1, 2017 launch, capitalizing on inherited prominence from the Keshet franchise within the former Channel 2 system. Initial post-split ratings increased sharply, though analysts attributed much of the surge to temporary viewer curiosity rather than enduring loyalty.^[19] By 2024, the channel secured an average 25% primetime audience share among commercial broadcasters, affirming its dominance in the Israeli television market.^[1] Expansion efforts focused on bolstering its news operations and digital presence. News 12, the channel's dedicated news arm, entrenched itself as Israel's leading television news provider and subsequently launched a dedicated digital news site and app to extend reach beyond linear broadcasting.^[20] The channel also invested in diverse programming, including high-profile series and international collaborations, such as the 2025 drama "The Abduction of Yossele Schumacher," which highlighted Keshet's commitment to culturally resonant Israeli narratives.^[21] Despite these advances, Channel 12 encountered substantial challenges. Politically, it drew sharp criticism from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who in August 2019 urged a public boycott of the channel and its parent company Keshet, labeling their involvement in the HBO miniseries "Our Boys" as anti-Semitic and accusing the outlet of disseminating "fake news."^[22] In August 2023, Channel 12 joined Reshet 13 and public broadcaster Kan 11 in forming an unprecedented alliance to oppose government-proposed media regulations, which broadcasters argued would erode editorial independence and favor state-aligned outlets.^[23][24] Financially and competitively, the transition to independent operation imposed heavy infrastructure and content production costs amid intensifying rivalry. Channels 13 struggled with reported annual losses exceeding NIS 12 million by early 2025, underscoring the sector's profitability pressures, while Channel 12 faced emerging threats from right-leaning Channel 14, which surpassed it in monthly viewership ratings in October 2024 with 343,000 average viewers.^[25][7] During the Israel-Hamas war beginning October 2023, news viewership for Channel 12 declined from wartime peaks, dropping to 18.2% on a December 2023 broadcast, signaling potential audience fatigue with prolonged conflict coverage.^[26]

Ownership and Organization

Keshet Media Group Structure

Keshet Media Group operates as a privately held conglomerate with its headquarters at 12 Raul Wallenberg Street in Tel Aviv, Israel.^[3] The company's structure centers on broadcasting, digital media, and international content distribution, with Keshet Broadcasting as the primary division overseeing domestic television operations.^[3] Keshet Broadcasting manages Channel 12 (branded as Keshet 12), which serves as the group's flagship free-to-air television channel launched on November 1, 2017, following Israel's broadcasting franchise reforms.^[1] This division also includes N12, the top-rated news production unit responsible for investigative journalism and current affairs programming, and FreeTV, the associated streaming service for on-demand access to content.^[3] Complementing broadcasting, digital assets form a key pillar, encompassing Mako, an entertainment portal ranking among Israel's top three websites by traffic, and 12+, a broadcast video-on-demand (BVOD) platform offering supplementary viewing options.^[3] These platforms extend Channel 12's reach into online news, video streaming, and interactive features via subsidiaries like INTV.^[3] Internationally, Keshet International functions as the global studio arm, established in 2012, focusing on format distribution, scripted and unscripted production, and local adaptations with subsidiaries in the United States (Keshet Studios), United Kingdom (Keshet UK), and Germany (Keshet Productions).^[3] This division leverages Israeli-origin content for worldwide export, including remakes of popular series.^[27] Additional ventures, such as Stardom Ventures for talent development and investments, support the group's diversified production pipeline.^[3]

Key Shareholders and Financial Backers

Keshet Media Group, which operates Channel 12 through its Keshet Broadcasting division, is majority-controlled by the Wertheim family via Central Bottling Company (CBC), holding 64.6% of the shares as of August 2024.^[4] CBC, a major bottler of Coca-Cola products in Israel, is controlled by David (Dudi) Wertheim, who inherited and expanded the family business from his father Moshe Wertheim; Dudi Wertheim serves as the effective controlling shareholder of Keshet, with his sister Drorit Wertheim acting as the company's chairman.^[28] The second-largest stake belongs to Rakiah Capital Investment Fund, managed by Ravid Kimia, which purchased a 22% holding from billionaire Yitzhak Tshuva in January 2021 for an undisclosed sum, positioning Rakiah as the runner-up to the Wertheims' majority position at that time. Prior to the sale, Tshuva had held approximately 20-22% of Keshet, reflecting his diversified investments in Israeli media alongside real estate and energy ventures.^[29] The Wertheims' influence has been described in regulatory contexts as reaching up to 74% at peak holdings following earlier acquisitions, though recent figures indicate a slight dilution to 64.6%.^[20] Financial backing for Keshet primarily derives from these private equity holdings rather than public markets or external debt financing, with no major institutional investors or venture funds reported as dominant backers in the core broadcasting operations.^[3] The structure underscores family-controlled ownership typical of Israel's private media sector, where Wertheim's beverage empire provides operational stability amid competitive television ratings and regulatory scrutiny from bodies like the Second Authority for Television and Radio.^[28] Separate from broadcasting, Keshet's international distribution arm has attracted minority investments from entities like Phoenix Insurance Company and Rakia Capital, but these do not extend to controlling interests in Channel 12.^[30]

Programming and Content

News and Investigative Journalism

Channel 12's news division, operated through its subsidiary Hevrat HaHadashot, delivers comprehensive daily bulletins covering Israeli politics, security, and international affairs, with a focus on real-time developments such as the Israel-Hamas war.^[31] The flagship program, HaHadashot, airs at 8:00 PM Israel Standard Time as the primetime news broadcast, featuring anchors like Yonit Levi and reports on events including hostage situations and military operations.^[5] This program, inherited from the Channel 2 era, emphasizes on-the-ground journalism, as seen in exclusive interviews with hostage families conducted shortly after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks.^[32] Investigative efforts center on Uvda ("Fact"), a long-running current affairs program launched in 1993 that produces in-depth documentaries, profile interviews, and exposés equivalent to international formats like 60 Minutes.^[33] Uvda has covered topics ranging from domestic corruption probes to war-related eyewitness accounts, including post-October 7 segments on kibbutz defenses and Gaza resident sentiments toward Hamas.^[34] In December 2024, an Uvda report alleging witness tampering involving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's wife, Sara, prompted a stalled criminal probe, highlighting the program's role in scrutinizing high-level figures despite source protection disputes.^[35] The channel's news output has sustained high viewership, bolstering Keshet 12's average 25% primetime share in 2024 amid competitive coverage of national crises.^[1] However, Prime Minister Netanyahu has accused mainstream outlets like Channel 12 of systemic bias against his government, opting instead for interviews on Channel 14 since around 2020, a claim echoed in analyses of Israeli media dynamics where outlets like Channel 12 are viewed by critics as aligned with center-left perspectives.^[36] Uvda's investigative work earned an International Emmy nomination in 2024 for a documentary on siblings Itay and Maya Regev, kidnapped during the October 7 attacks, underscoring its global acclaim for factual reporting on conflict impacts.^[37]

Entertainment and Factual Programming

Channel 12's entertainment lineup features a blend of reality competitions, scripted dramas, and satirical comedy. The long-running sketch comedy series Eretz Nehederet remains a flagship program, delivering weekly parodies of political figures and current events, including a 2025 season premiere that satirized Donald Trump's influence on Israeli politics.^[38] This show, produced in-house by Keshet Media Group, has maintained strong viewership through its sharp commentary on domestic and international affairs.^[1] Reality formats include interactive competitions like Rising Star Israel, which shifted to Channel 12 following the 2017 channel split and emphasizes live audience voting for musical talent. Scripted content highlights dramatic series such as the 2025 miniseries Red Alert, a four-part production depicting survivor stories from the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, blending heroism and trauma based on eyewitness accounts.^[39] Factual programming on Channel 12 emphasizes documentaries and non-fiction explorations of historical and contemporary issues. The channel airs investigative-style content like Inside Israel: This is War, a compilation of on-the-ground reports detailing the October 7, 2023, massacres, kidnappings, and ensuing Israel-Hamas conflict, drawing from local footage and testimonies to chronicle causal sequences of events.^[37] Other factual offerings include specialized documentaries produced through Keshet's international arm, such as explorations of ancient history in Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, which aired segments focusing on archaeological evidence and engineering feats.^[40] These programs prioritize empirical reconstruction over narrative framing, often incorporating primary sources like survivor interviews and archival material to substantiate claims of aggression and response dynamics.^[41]

Digital and Supplementary Platforms

Mako.co.il functions as Keshet Media Group's primary digital platform, encompassing news articles, entertainment coverage, lifestyle content, and embedded videos from Channel 12 programming, with an average of 20 million monthly views positioning it among Israel's top three most-visited websites.^[42] The site's video on demand (VOD) section hosts full episodes and clips from shows such as MasterChef Israel and The Sharks, alongside live streaming options for select broadcasts.^[43] Complementing this, the news-specific portal at n12.co.il delivers real-time reporting, investigative pieces, and multimedia content from the channel's journalism team, including 24/7 war coverage with translated segments on events like the Israel-Hamas conflict.^[44][31] The 12+ app, launched as Keshet 12's dedicated streaming service, provides advertising-supported video on demand (AVOD) access to live Channel 12 feeds and an extensive back catalog of programs across smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs, establishing it as Israel's leading AVOD platform.^[45] Available on Google Play and the Apple App Store since at least 2017, the app supports catch-up viewing for popular series and news segments, with features like offline downloads and personalized recommendations.^[46] User ratings average around 1.7 to 2.4 stars, reflecting mixed feedback on interface stability but praising content availability.^[47][48] Channel 12 maintains an active social media footprint to extend reach and audience interaction, including an Instagram account (@keshet12) with over 326,000 followers as of recent data, where it shares promotional clips, behind-the-scenes footage, and highlights from broadcasts.^[49] YouTube channels and playlists under Keshet 12 and affiliated news outlets host archived news interviews, program excerpts, and user-generated content tie-ins, such as hostage testimonies and conflict updates.^[32] These platforms supplement linear TV by driving traffic to VOD and fostering real-time engagement, though they prioritize Hebrew-language content with limited English subtitles.^[50]

Technical and Broadcast Details

Transmission and Accessibility

Channel 12 broadcasts nationwide via Israel's digital terrestrial television (DTT) system, known as Idan Plus, which operates on UHF frequencies and allows free-to-air reception using standard antennas and set-top decoders without subscription fees.^[51][52] This DTT infrastructure, implemented since 2017 alongside the channel's launch, supports multiplexed transmission of multiple free channels, including commercial broadcasters like Keshet 12, reaching an estimated 99% of households equipped with compatible receivers.^[53] The channel is distributed through all major multi-platform providers in Israel, encompassing cable networks such as HOT, satellite services via YES, and IPTV offerings from Partner TV, ensuring availability on linear television schedules for subscribers.^[54][55] These carriage agreements, standard for Israel's commercial channels post-2017 regulatory split from Channel 2, enable seamless integration into provider channel lineups, with HOT and YES serving over 1.5 million households combined as of 2023.^[56] Digital accessibility is facilitated primarily through the 12+ app, an ad-supported video-on-demand (AVOD) platform offering live streaming of Channel 12 broadcasts alongside catch-up and on-demand libraries of news, entertainment, and reality programming.^[45] The app supports iOS, Android, smart TVs, tablets, and Android TV devices, with features including start-over functionality for live content and offline downloads for select VOD, launched in its current form around 2020 to expand beyond traditional TV.^[47][57] Web-based streaming is available via the Mako portal at mako.co.il, primarily for domestic IP addresses, though international access is restricted.^[58] User interface enhancements in the 12+ app emphasize intuitive navigation and device compatibility to broaden reach, including responsive design for smaller screens and integration with voice assistants on smart TVs, though specific provisions like closed captions or audio descriptions are not detailed in public specifications beyond standard Hebrew subtitles for select content.^[57] As of 2024, the service reports high adoption among Keshet 12 viewers, positioning it as Israel's leading AVOD platform for linear TV extension.^[45]

Production Infrastructure

Keshet Broadcasting Ltd., the operator of Channel 12, maintains its primary production facilities in Tel Aviv, Israel, supporting a range of content creation from news to entertainment programming.^[3] In 2018, the company developed the largest and most advanced reality television production complex in Israel, encompassing a dedicated film studio, live broadcast areas, production offices, and sophisticated broadcasting infrastructure. This facility integrates optic and wired communication networks with a specialized television format management system for efficient content handling and distribution, with planning and implementation handled by I/O Systems A.H. Ltd.^[59] The news division, managed by the Israel Television News Company (also known as Hevrat HaHadashot), features upgraded studio technology installed in November 2017, including high-resolution LED video walls such as the Leyard TWA Series with a 1.8 mm pixel pitch positioned behind the primary news desk to enhance visual presentation during live broadcasts. These upgrades replaced older display systems to support modern high-definition production standards.

Audience Metrics and Market Position

Viewership Ratings and Demographics

Keshet 12 has maintained a leading position among commercial broadcasters in Israel, achieving an average primetime audience share of 25% throughout 2024, positioning it as the most-watched commercial channel in the country.^[1] This dominance reflects consistent performance in news and entertainment programming, though ratings have fluctuated amid national events such as the ongoing conflicts following October 7, 2023. For instance, in December 2023, its news broadcast recorded an 18.2% viewership share, marking a decline from pre-war highs but still surpassing competitors like Channel 13.^[26] Recent challenges have emerged from Channel 14, a right-leaning outlet that surpassed Channel 12 in specific metrics during late 2024, drawing 343,000 viewers in one reported month compared to Channel 12's trailing figures in news slots.^[7] High-profile content continues to drive spikes; the October 2025 premiere of the miniseries Red Alert, focusing on October 7 events, attracted nearly 18% of the Israeli audience.^[60] Overall, Channel 12's ratings are measured via standard Israeli television metrics, emphasizing household viewership shares among Jewish audiences, with data indicating sustained appeal in urban and central regions. Demographically, Channel 12 draws heavily from secular Jewish viewers, with 59% of this group citing it as a primary news source in a 2024 survey, far exceeding reliance among religious or traditional demographics.^[61] Its audience skews toward the anti-Netanyahu political bloc, particularly post-October 7, where viewership surged among left-leaning and centrist Jews amid polarized media consumption patterns.^[62] This profile aligns with perceptions of the channel as mainstream-liberal, contrasting with right-wing alternatives like Channel 14, which appeal more to nationalist and religious viewers, though Channel 12 retains broader cross-ideological draw in entertainment genres.^[63] Age-wise, it performs strongly with adults 25-54, bolstered by digital extensions, but specific breakdowns remain dominated by urban, higher-education households.^[61]

Competitive Landscape

Channel 12, operated by the Keshet Media Group, competes primarily with Reshet's Channel 13 in Israel's free-to-air commercial television sector, a duopoly that emerged from the 2017 dissolution of the shared Channel 2 franchise. Both channels vie for advertising revenue and primetime viewership through similar formats emphasizing news, reality programming, and dramas, with Keshet historically maintaining a ratings edge; for instance, in early 2018 surveys conducted 100 days post-split, Channel 12 achieved a 20-23% primetime average, surpassing Channel 13's share by 14% and outpacing the defunct Channel 10 by 119%.^[64] By 2019, Keshet reported leading market indicators two months after industry mergers, while Reshet claimed a 40% share of TV advertising.^[65] Channel 14 (Now 14), a newer entrant launched in 2014 and positioned as an ultranationalist alternative, has emerged as a significant challenger, particularly in news viewership amid heightened national security tensions post-October 7, 2023. In October 2024, Channel 14 drew 343,000 viewers for a key program, overtaking Channel 12 as Israel's top-rated news source in that instance, and by 2024 overall, it ranked as the second-most-watched channel nationwide according to ratings data.^[7][66] This surge reflects shifts in audience preferences toward platforms aligning with government perspectives, contributing to fragmented market shares.^[25] The public broadcaster Kan 11, operated by the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation, offers non-commercial competition focused on educational and diverse content across three channels, but it trails the commercial duo in overall reach and ad-irrelevant metrics.^[67] Following the 2023 Hamas attacks, total linear TV consumption rose, with Channel 12 capturing over 50% of primetime audiences initially, though sustained gains by Channel 14 indicate evolving dynamics influenced by political polarization and digital alternatives like cable (e.g., Yes, HOT) eroding traditional shares.^[68] In viewer trust polls as of early 2025, Channel 12 retained the top position, followed by Channel 13, Kan 11, and a rising Channel 14.^[69]

Controversies and Criticisms

Allegations of Political Bias

Channel 12, operated by Keshet Media Group, has faced repeated accusations from right-wing politicians and commentators of exhibiting a left-leaning political bias, particularly in its coverage of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and judicial reform efforts. In September 2019, Netanyahu publicly accused the channel's owners and executives of launching a "terror attack against democracy" through what he described as biased reporting aimed at undermining his government.^[70] Similarly, in August 2019, Netanyahu urged viewers and advertisers to boycott Channel 12, labeling it "fake news" and criticizing its production of the HBO series Our Boys as antisemitic for its portrayal of events related to the 2014 kidnapping and murder of Israeli teenagers.^[22] Critics, including supporters of Netanyahu's Likud party, have claimed the channel disproportionately amplifies voices from pro-democracy protests against judicial overhaul legislation, portraying it as a platform sympathetic to opposition figures rather than providing balanced analysis.^[6] This perception intensified during the 2023 protests, with right-wing outlets contrasting Channel 12's coverage against more favorable treatment on emerging conservative channels like Channel 14.^[71] In July 2024, the home of Channel 12 owner Len Blavatnik was targeted with a Molotov cocktail, an incident authorities linked to ongoing right-wing grievances over the channel's alleged anti-government slant.^[4] Channel 12 has rejected these claims, maintaining that its reporting adheres to journalistic standards. In June 2024, the channel threatened legal action against journalist Amit Segal, a Netanyahu ally, for comparing it to Al Jazeera and implying pro-Palestinian bias, demanding NIS 1 million ($268,000) in compensation for defamation.^[8] An earlier controversy arose in May 2023 when a Channel 12 poll segment labeled certain Arab Israeli communities as "terror supporters," prompting an apology from the channel for the inflammatory phrasing, though it defended the underlying data on security threats.^[72] Independent assessments, such as a 2019 analysis of major Israeli broadcasters, have described Channel 12 as largely neutral, attributing bias perceptions to polarized political discourse rather than systemic editorial slant.^[73]

Coverage of National Security and Conflicts

Channel 12, operated by Keshet Media Group, has delivered in-depth reporting on Israel's national security challenges, including the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack that killed approximately 1,200 people and resulted in over 250 hostages taken. Its news division aired real-time updates, survivor testimonies, and investigative segments during the initial assault, with programs like Uvda producing post-attack documentaries such as "Inside Israel: This Is War," which examined Hamas tactics and southern border vulnerabilities. These reports, distributed internationally by Keshet International, featured on-site journalism from affected communities and military operations.^[34][74] In the ensuing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, Channel 12 embedded correspondents with IDF units, broadcasting operations against Hamas infrastructure while adhering to Israel's military censorship protocols, which review sensitive security footage prior to airing. Coverage highlighted Israeli military achievements, hostage rescues, and intelligence failures preceding October 7, but drew criticism for limited emphasis on Palestinian civilian casualties and humanitarian conditions in Gaza, with analysts noting a post-attack shift toward unified national narratives over adversarial scrutiny of government policies. Right-wing figures, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, have sued Channel 12 journalists for alleged defamation in security-related reporting, claiming biased portrayals of enforcement actions. Conversely, left-leaning outlets accused it of prioritizing "hasbara" (public diplomacy) over balanced Gaza access, though surveys indicate 41% of Israelis perceive Channel 12 as overly favorable to Palestinian perspectives in conflict coverage.^[62][75][76] The channel extended its security journalism to northern threats, including Hezbollah escalations, with reports on rocket barrages and cross-border operations as of 2025. Investigative efforts included foreign correspondent Itai Anghel's 2025 entry into Damascus to document Syrian prisons holding Palestinian militants, linking regional dynamics to Israeli threats. In 2024, Channel 12 commissioned the scripted miniseries Red Alert, dramatizing October 7 events to underscore security lapses and response heroism, which aired domestically and was acquired by Paramount+ globally, sparking debate on the timing and intent of such productions amid ongoing hostilities. This blend of news, investigations, and drama reflects Channel 12's role in shaping public understanding of existential threats, though subject to domestic perceptions of center-left tilt influencing framing of military accountability.^[41][77][78]

Legal and Ethical Disputes

In June 2024, Channel 12 announced plans to sue journalist Eli Zipori for libel after he repeatedly referred to the network as "Al Jazeera 12" in social media posts on X and Facebook, alongside similar labels for other outlets and accusations of participating in a "criminal campaign" with the Prosecutor's Office.^[79] The channel demanded removal of the posts, a public apology, and NIS 1 million (approximately $265,000) in compensation, arguing the comparison equated it with Al Jazeera, which Israeli authorities had shut down earlier that year for broadcasting Hamas propaganda.^[79] Zipori's statements also included claims that Channel 12 lied about reserve soldier costs.^[79] On December 24, 2024, Sara Netanyahu, wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, filed a defamation lawsuit against Channel 12 News, its parent Keshet Media Group, public broadcaster Kan, and journalists Omri Maniv and Udi Mizrahi.^[80] The suit targeted reports alleging she leaked sensitive security information, including details of Israel's plan to assassinate Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah three days before the operation.^[80] Netanyahu described the coverage as "severe and wild incitement and slander," though specific damages sought were not detailed in public filings.^[80] Channel 12's investigative program Uvda faced legal scrutiny in a witness tampering probe launched after its December 2024 broadcast alleging Sara Netanyahu exchanged text messages with her husband's office manager to pressure a witness in the prime minister's corruption trial.^[35] By February 2025, the probe stalled when Uvda refused a court order to surrender raw materials, citing journalistic ethics prioritizing source anonymity to avoid compromising informants.^[35] This standoff highlighted tensions between legal obligations to assist investigations and ethical standards protecting journalistic sources, with the program's management challenging the order on grounds that disclosure could endanger future reporting.^[35]

Cultural and Societal Impact

Influence on Public Discourse

Channel 12, operated by Keshet Media Group, exerts considerable influence on Israeli public discourse as the country's most-watched commercial television network, commanding a significant share of prime-time viewership and setting the agenda for national conversations on politics, security, and social issues.^[81] Its nightly news broadcasts, anchored by prominent figures such as Yonit Levi and featuring analysts like Amit Segal, routinely draw audiences exceeding 20% of the Jewish viewing public during peak events, amplifying discussions that often dominate subsequent media cycles and social media debates.^{[82] [83]} Following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, Channel 12 pivoted to 24/7 news coverage, prioritizing survivor testimonies, military updates, and government accountability probes, which reinforced a unified national narrative centered on security threats and resilience amid widespread trauma.^[84] This shift contributed to a broader militaristic tone in public discourse, with limited airtime devoted to Gaza's civilian impacts—estimated at under 5% of war-related segments in early 2024—potentially sustaining higher public tolerance for prolonged operations, as reflected in contemporaneous polls showing over 70% Israeli support for the campaign.^{[62] [85]} Such selective framing has drawn criticism from outlets like Haaretz for fostering a "pact of silence" on humanitarian costs, though defenders attribute it to journalistic caution amid national unity pressures rather than deliberate bias.^{[86] [87]} The channel's political panels and investigative segments, including exposés on October 7 failures, have periodically challenged official narratives, sparking protests and policy shifts, as seen in its July 2024 coverage prompting parliamentary inquiries into intelligence lapses.^[33] However, incidents like a May 2023 poll labeling Arab citizens as "terror supporters"—later retracted with an apology—highlight how its content can inflame sectarian tensions, influencing polarized online rhetoric that persists in electoral cycles.^[72] In contrast to ultranationalist competitors like Channel 14, Channel 12's centrist-leaning commentary—evident in debates featuring diverse ideologies—moderates extremes while still aligning with mainstream security priorities, thereby channeling public outrage into demands for governmental efficacy over radical alternatives.^{[73] [82]}

Notable Achievements and Awards

Channel 12 has achieved market leadership as Israel's most-watched commercial television channel, maintaining an average 25% primetime audience share in 2024.^[1] This dominance underscores its influence in Israeli broadcasting, with Keshet Media Group CEO Avi Nir recognized in Variety's annual index of the 500 most influential business leaders for the eighth consecutive year in 2025.^[88] The channel's programs have garnered multiple wins at the Awards of the Israeli Television Academy. In 2012, Keshet secured 12 awards, including best comedy and best comedy screenplay for Arab Work, best actress in a comedy for Clara Khoury, and best drama for The 'A' Word.^[89] In 2020, Keshet programs claimed 22 awards overall, with 14 awarded to the drama series Our Boys, a Keshet Studios-HBO co-production based on real events from the 2014 kidnapping and murder of Israeli teens.^[90] Individual achievements include primetime news anchor Yonit Levi receiving the Robert St. John Chair in Objective Middle East Reporting Award from Ben-Gurion University in 2024 for her coverage.^[91] Additionally, in 2024, Channel 12 reporters shared the B'nai B'rith World Center-Jerusalem Award for Journalism with The Times of Israel for outstanding coverage of Jewish Diaspora issues.^[92] The Israeli adaptation of Married at First Sight won best docu-reality series at the 2023 Israeli Television Academy Awards.^[93]