Corporate brand
UnclaimedHOT is an Israeli telecommunications and cable-media company providing television, broadband internet, fixed-line telephony, data transmission and related network services.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Hot (Israel) is an Israeli telecommunications company providing cable television, internet, telephone, and mobile communication services. It is one of the leading pay-TV and broadband providers in Israel.
History
Israel's cable-television market was formalized in 1989 after regulators sought to replace illegal cable relays, VHS distribution and other unauthorized ways of receiving foreign programming. The policy was also influenced by concern that broadcasts from Jordan, Lebanon and other countries were drawing viewers away from Israel's public television service. A number of regional cable franchises were authorized, carrying international channels alongside Israeli programming. The six principal pre-merger operators included Tevel, Cable Systems Media, Israel Cable Services, Arutzi Zehav or Golden Channels, Gvanim and Cablenet. Their territories were geographically separated, so they generally did not compete directly for subscribers. The cable companies pursued consolidation during the late 1990s to reduce administrative duplication and lower programming-purchasing costs. The emergence of Yes, a satellite television provider, gave the proposed combination a stronger competitive rationale, but regulators initially delayed approval until the satellite operator had achieved a meaningful subscriber base. On 18 August 2003, Matav, Tevel and Golden Channels merged to create Hot Telecommunication Systems Ltd. The new company became a national cable platform rather than a collection of regionally franchised operators. HOT used the enlarged network to develop digital television and expand content choice. At one stage its digital offering contained roughly 200 local and international channels, including channels exclusive to the HOT brand. The company also built a substantial video-on-demand library, reported in 2005 as containing material from almost all channels as well as programming unavailable through ordinary linear broadcasting. Analog service remained available for a time, but the company progressively moved customers to digital signals and decoder-based reception. The company's communications strategy developed rapidly after the merger. In November 2004, HOT introduced domestic fixed-line telephone services for households and businesses. It used voice-over-internet technology and also supplied broadband access over its cable network. HOT initially functioned primarily as a last-mile network operator rather than a fully licensed internet service provider. By 2006, it was reported to have about 950,000 customers, with approximately 60% using digital television, more than 400,000 using internet services and more than 100,000 using telephony. In December 2010, a subsidiary received a formal internet-service-provider license. Ownership changed during the following decade. Patrick Drahi increased his stake in HOT in 2009, completed a takeover in 2011 and offered to purchase remaining shares in 2012. The company subsequently became part of the Altice corporate group and ceased to be an independent publicly traded company. HOT continued to develop television distribution, broadband and business connectivity, while participating in technology upgrades. In 2018, it began carrying Israel's Kan 11 public channel in 4K resolution through channel 511. Coverage and customer relations have been recurring sources of controversy. Critics argued that HOT failed to serve some communities, particularly areas with large Haredi or Arab-Israeli populations and parts of the Arava, despite contractual obligations. HOT responded that it covered approximately 95% to 98% of Israel and sought government exemptions for selected locations. The company was also criticized for long customer-service waiting times, difficulties recording cancellation requests and billing disputes after customers sought to terminate services. These allegations contributed to class-action proceedings and reputational pressure, although the company later introduced measures intended to reduce waiting times and offer callbacks. HOT's infrastructure has also been connected to the Israeli settlement debate. On 12 February 2020, the United Nations published a database identifying companies it said were involved in business activities related to Israeli settlements in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the occupied Golan Heights. HOT appeared in the database in connection with telecommunications activities in those territories. In February 2021, Israel's Ministry of Communications approved HOT's proposed NIS 170 million investment in IBC, a fiber-optic infrastructure venture, subject to antitrust conditions. This decision reflected the company's continuing transition from a traditional cable operator toward participation in fiber-based national broadband infrastructure.
- 2021
IBC fiber investment approved
[1]Israel's Ministry of Communications approved HOT's planned investment in IBC's fiber-optic infrastructure venture, subject to antitrust conditions.
- 2020
Included in United Nations settlement-related database
[1]The United Nations listed HOT among companies associated with business activities in Israeli settlements and occupied territories.
- 2018
Kan 11 offered in 4K
[1]HOT began broadcasting Kan 11 in 4K resolution through channel 511.
- 2011
Drahi takeover completed
[1]Patrick Drahi completed his takeover of HOT.
- 2010
Subsidiary received ISP license
[1]A HOT subsidiary was licensed to operate as an internet service provider.
- 2009
Patrick Drahi increased his stake
[1]Patrick Drahi began the ownership consolidation that later brought HOT into the Altice group.
- 2005
Expanded video-on-demand service introduced
[1]HOT developed a broad VOD offering drawing on content from many channels and additional programming.
- 2004
Fixed-line telephony launched
[1]HOT commenced domestic fixed-line telephone services for residential and business subscribers.
- 2003
HOT founded through cable-company merger
[1]Matav, Tevel and Golden Channels merged on 18 August to form a national cable and telecommunications company.
- 1989
Israeli cable television regulation established
[1]Israel authorized a regulated cable-television market and approved regional operators carrying local and international channels.
Products and positioning
An integrated Israeli communications provider combining pay television, broadband connectivity, fixed-line voice and network services through a national cable-based infrastructure.
Pay television · 2003
HOT Digital Television
HOT's core pay-TV service delivers local, international and foreign-language channels through a digital cable platform. The offering has included approximately 200 channels at various points, including channels produced or marketed under the HOT name. The service replaced much of the company's earlier analog distribution and generally requires a decoder or set-top box.
Video on demand · 2005
HOT Video on Demand
HOT's VOD service supplements scheduled television with on-demand access to material drawn from many channels and additional programming. It became a significant part of the company's digital offering during the mid-2000s, allowing subscribers to select programs outside the linear broadcast timetable.
Internet access
HOT Broadband
HOT provides broadband internet access through its fixed cable network and related last-mile infrastructure. The service was introduced as part of the company's expansion from television into integrated communications. A HOT subsidiary later received an internet-service-provider license, while the company also pursued participation in fiber infrastructure.
Telephony · 2004
HOT Fixed-Line Telephony
Launched in November 2004, HOT's fixed-line telephone service serves residential and business customers. The service initially relied on voice-over-internet technology and complemented the company's television and broadband products through a bundled communications proposition.
Business telecommunications
HOT Business Communications
HOT provides business-sector connectivity, data transmission and network services alongside consumer communications. These offerings extend the company's cable and telecommunications infrastructure beyond household television and broadband.
Controversies
Customer-service and cancellation allegations
HOT faced accusations that customer-service personnel delayed or refused to record cancellation requests and that customers continued receiving bills after attempting to terminate service. The company was also criticized for exceptionally long waiting times, and multiple class-action suits were reported in connection with customer-service practices.
Dispute over coverage of underserved communities
Critics alleged that HOT did not provide service to certain areas, especially communities with predominantly Haredi or Arab-Israeli populations and parts of the Arava, despite contractual coverage commitments. HOT stated that its network covered approximately 95% to 98% of Israel and sought official exemptions for selected locations.
Marketing campaigns
- 2016Faster than Ronaldo
Israel
HOT released a broadband-speed commercial featuring Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, then an Altice brand ambassador, alongside Israeli comedians promoting a 200 MB service. The advertisement drew negative reactions on Twitter and Facebook from pro-Palestinian supporters and Arab users, with some viewers linking its imagery to the 2014 Gaza war.
Outcome. The video reportedly accumulated about 130,000 views within three days and received substantially more dislikes than likes in the cited social-media reaction. No formal campaign withdrawal is documented in the reference material.
Brand decisions
2021
Invest in IBC fiber infrastructureStrategyBackground
The Israeli fixed-broadband market was moving toward fiber-based connectivity, creating pressure for cable operators to participate in next-generation infrastructure.
Action taken
The Ministry of Communications approved HOT's NIS 170 million investment in IBC, subject to antitrust conditions.
Aftermath
The approval enabled HOT to participate in a national fiber-infrastructure venture while remaining subject to competition safeguards.
Planned investment. NIS 170 million (2021)
2018
Introduce 4K carriage of Kan 11Product launchBackground
Higher-resolution television distribution was becoming part of the premium digital-TV proposition.
Action taken
HOT began broadcasting Kan 11 in 4K resolution through channel 511.
Aftermath
The move expanded HOT's high-resolution channel offering.
2010
Enter the licensed ISP marketStrategyBackground
HOT already provided last-mile broadband access but had not previously operated as a fully licensed internet service provider.
Action taken
A HOT subsidiary received an Israeli license to operate as an internet service provider.
Aftermath
The license broadened HOT's formal role in the internet market and supported its integrated communications strategy.
2003
Merge the major regional cable operatorsM&ABackground
Matav, Tevel and Golden Channels sought to reduce duplicated administration and programming costs and respond to competition from the satellite operator Yes.
Action taken
The three companies merged on 18 August 2003 to establish HOT as a national cable and communications provider.
Aftermath
The merger created a unified platform for digital television, broadband, telephony and video-on-demand services.
Sources1 sources
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