Endemol and Kuperman Productions, an independent production company in Israel, announced that they have entered a new partnership. The deal sees Endemol establishing an operational base in the Israeli market by acquiring a majority stake in Kuperman, which becomes Endemol Israel. Through the newly launched operation, Endemol plans to invest in creativity and format development across all genres in Israel for both the local and international markets. Endemol Israel will also produce Endemol’s international formats for the Israeli market. 

Elad Kuperman, co-owner of Kuperman and one of Israel’s leading TV producers with more than 20 years’ experience, will lead Endemol Israel as CEO. Media investor and entrepreneur Ynon Kreiz, has sold his 50% stake in Kuperman, which he acquired in 2009. He will exit the company as part of the deal. Established in 2005, Kuperman is a multi-award winning company with a track record of delivering hit programming across a range of genres including reality, entertainment, drama, comedy, game shows and kids programming.

Established in 2005, Kuperman is a multi-award winning company with a track record of delivering hit programming across a range of genres including reality, entertainment, drama, comedy, game shows and kids programming. Among the company’s international successes are Israel’s most popular sitcom Traffic Light, which sold to Fox in the U.S. and CTC in Russia, and entertainment show Honey Please, which was picked up by GSN in the U.S. To date Kuperman has taken home Israeli Academy Awards for Best Comedy Show (Traffic Light), Best Reality Show (Big Brother) and Best Children’s Show (The Timers), Best Docu Reality Show (Living in LA LA Land) as well as winning an International Emmy for Best Comedy Show (Traffic Light).

Just Spee, CEO of Endemol Group, comments: “With the launch of Endemol Israel we establish a presence in one of the world’s most creative markets. The high volume of innovative formats coming out of the region continues to grow and our ability to deliver this content to our clients around the world makes this an exciting opportunity. Kuperman is already Israel’s number one TV producer and our partnership underlines Endemol’s commitment to investing in the very best creativity and talent around the world.”