A minute before Big Brother and Dancing with the Stars: A few things channel managers know - and now you too - voila! Berenger

This evening (Tuesday), Keshet 12 and Network 13 are about to launch the two reality shows that are considered significant anchors, in the case of Network 13 almost strategic. This isn't the first time the two rivals have bet on a head-to-head match, but the starting point this time is completely different. Big Brother's success will create a tailwind for Network 13 and provide oxygen after a period of commercial failures, while on the other hand, Brother failure may be the final nail of its attempts to raise its head and play in the "big leagues' field." Recall that these are productions at a similar cost, which may reach over a million shekels per episode. In an entire season, the difference between success and failure can translate into tens of millions of shekels.

Big Brother, Dancing with the Stars (Photo: Walla!, screenshot)

The attempted regime coup and the mobilization of the right-wing government in favor of Channel 14 led to a number of fascinating results, which accelerated a trend that occurred even before

The launch of both programs, as already mentioned, does not come in a vacuum. A glimpse of the changes in prime time (see first graph) looking back two and a half years (since the beginning of 2021) clearly confirms the big bang that occurred on television. The attempted regime coup and the mobilization of the right-wing government in favor of Channel 14 (which is being rebranded in a new channel) led to a number of fascinating results, which accelerated a trend that had already occurred before: the strengthening of Channel 14 (mainly in the "Patriot" prime, which radiates on the entire programming schedule), the weakening of News 13 (with a "free press" campaign that has not yet proven itself in the audience test); and the strengthening of Kan 11 in both news and prime, taking advantage of the World Cup and Eurovision platforms to bring more viewers to the screen along with successes in prime led by "main box office").

Prime time ratings trends since the beginning of 2023 (Photo: Walla!, Walla System)

In the news sector, too, the situation is similar, respectively: from checking Walla! Berenger shows that although Keshet maintains a clear lead by far from all its competitors, here and Channel 14 are significantly stronger at the expense of Reshet and at its expense. According to the data, News 14 doubled (!) its viewership figures from last year, and Kan's recorded a significant increase of 25%.

News release ratings 2023 (Photo: Walla!, Walla System)

It was precisely the 19:00 sector before the news that in the first half of 2023 was the focus of changes in the programming schedule, changes that also reflected the political entrenchment and the line that every broadcaster seeks to take

Prime time and news broadcasts are considered the most profitable anchors, and accordingly the most invested. But it was precisely the 19:00 sector before the news that in the first half of 2023 was the focus of changes in the programming schedule, changes that also reflected the political entrenchment and the line that every broadcaster seeks to take. At the beginning of the year, it was Ayala Hasson who defected from Reshet 13 to the Israel Broadcasting Corporation (alongside Sharon Gal, who moved to Channel 14). Later, last week, it was Amir Ivgi who left the Friday studio of Channel 12 News and returned to the arms of Channel 14 to try and save the "bath" that had opened during Bardugo's placement at such a critical hour, while the rest of the channel's tracks were taking off.

Recall that the 19:00 strip of before the news is considered the most critical for channels, since it is the one that leads the mass of viewers towards the main edition - the beginning of prime time.

From checking Walla! Berenger notes that despite the volatility that characterizes viewing habits at this time, as of now, Hasson's move has raised the average viewership of this strip on the corporation from 2.7% to 4%. Channel 14 also saw an increase in average viewership during this period. Opposite, on Network 13, which she left, you can see respectively the crash - with the channel losing at least a fifth of its viewers.

Changes in Pre-Prime, 2023 (Photo: Walla! System, Walla System)

Existential Danger to Network 13

But these figures, flattering as they may be for Channel 14 and Kan 11 and problematic mainly for Network 13, are still with a grain of salt. In order to analyze where we are headed in the second half of 2023, it is necessary to understand what currently rests on the shoulders of "Big Brother" (recall, its previous season was considered relatively successful, both in terms of ratings and buzz).

But now the frame of the network is even lower (see first graph) after a season of survival that did not take off. Will a failure in the "Big Brother" arena lead the channel to an economic management crisis that could endanger its existence? Have Network 13 already digested the fact that they have long since gone head-to-head with Rainbow 12 as they have become accustomed to in the past (at least in terms of image), but a channel with viewing figures of a niche channel? All answers in the 2023 summary.

Channel 14's success is also clouded by quite a few clouds: despite the rising figures and shattered forecasts, hasn't Channel 14 reached its glass ceiling? In the absence of a diverse programming schedule (Channel 14's product is poor from a television point of view and in fact relies on a studio panel; the channel's news company also suffers from underfunding and a significant shortage of manpower), will the channel even be able to take off and become a leading player over time?

As for Keshet (which retains the lead, but continues the trend of losing viewers that characterizes all podcast broadcasts), quite a few questions arise, chief among them how will digital and streaming platforms (here BOX of the Broadcasting Corporation and FREETV) affect linear viewing behavior?

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