Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) has acquired minority stake in Ananey Communications Group, a pay-TV channel provider and content producer in Israel.
VIMN and Ananey have long had a partnership already in Israel, where Ananey licenses or represents Viacom’s global brands and represents Viacom’s programming sales and consumer products business. Ananey has seven of its own fully owned and operated channels and the company also develops television formats and programs for both Israel and international TV markets.
Under the terms of the transaction, VIMN has an option to acquire a controlling stake in Ananey in the future. Bartosz Witak, VIMN’s senior VP, general manager for Central and Eastern Europe and Israel, has joined the board of Ananey.
David Lynn, the president and CEO of Viacom International Media Networks, commented: “This deal will deepen our partnership with Ananey, which has delivered success for both companies over many years. We are delighted to cement our strong position in this valuable pay-TV market and pursue new opportunities with a leading content producer in one of the most dynamic production sectors internationally. We have confidence that the Ananey team will continue to excel in the local and international market and we are excited about what the future will bring.”
Udi Miron, founder and chairman of Ananey Communications Group, added: “This partnership with Viacom is testimony to the strength and creativity of Ananey Communications Group. After years of successfully representing Viacom in Israel, we are honored to take this partnership one step further; we believe together we will achieve even greater success in Israel and internationally. We look forward to working with Viacom to create new horizons for the traditional pay-TV market and for the dynamic digital world and leveraging the strong Israeli start-up market to advance our shared digital vision. I want to thank Viacom for this vote of confidence in our abilities and the team at Ananey, led by Orly Atlas-Katz, for everything they have achieved and all their hard work.”
