Keshet 12

Keshet 12 is an Israeli free-to-air television channel owned and operated by Keshet Media Group. It began broadcasting on 1 November 2017 as one of two channels created when Israel's former Channel 2 was closed during a reform of the country's commercial television system. The other successor channel was Reshet 13. Before the reform, Channel 2 was operated under the framework of the Second Authority for Television and Radio but was programmed by two concessionaires, Keshet Media Group and Reshet. Rather than continuing that shared-channel structure, the reform granted the two companies separate standalone channels. Programming previously associated with the shared Channel 2 service was divided between the new outlets, allowing Keshet and Reshet to develop more distinct schedules and channel identities. Keshet 12's launch made it a principal general-entertainment broadcaster in Israel. Its programming scope includes television content supplied by Keshet and broadcast services associated with the channel. The channel also carried news programming during the initial period after launch. The Israel Television News Company provided news programs for both Keshet 12 and Reshet 13, and the main evening bulletin was simulcast on both channels until 16 January 2019. After the merger involving Reshet 13 and Channel 10, a dedicated news service known as HaHadashot 12 was established. The channel's public identity is closely connected with Keshet Media Group and its wider television and digital ecosystem, including the group's online television portal and streaming-related presence. Its website is hosted through mako, Keshet's digital media platform. As a free-to-air channel, Keshet 12 serves the Israeli television market rather than functioning primarily as a subscription international network. Keshet 12 has also been involved in controversies surrounding television news coverage. In July 2026, according to the cited report on the channel's Wikipedia article, the entrance to its Tel Aviv offices was attacked by masked individuals following criticism of the channel's coverage of alleged abuse at the Sde Teiman detention camp. The reported incident followed an earlier attack in which bricks were thrown through the building's glass entrance. A handwritten note reportedly included a death threat. This incident is treated as a security and intimidation controversy associated with the channel, not as a change in ownership or operating status.

Keshet 12 emerged from the restructuring of Israel's commercial television system. Prior to 2017, Channel 2 operated under the regulatory framework of the Second Authority for Television and Radio while its schedule was supplied by two competing concessionaires, Keshet Media Group and Reshet. This arrangement allowed both companies to participate in the country's principal commercial channel, but it did not give either company a fully independent broadcast outlet. A broader reform intended to increase competition and diversity in Israeli broadcasting replaced the shared-channel model. Channel 2 was closed, and the two concessionaires were granted separate channels. Keshet's channel, Keshet 12, and Reshet's channel, Reshet 13, both launched on 1 November 2017. Programming associated with the former Channel 2 service was divided between the new channels, marking a significant change in the organization of Israeli commercial television. During its first phase, Keshet 12 shared important news infrastructure with Reshet 13. The Israel Television News Company supplied news programming to both channels, including a main primetime bulletin that was simulcast on each service. This arrangement continued until 16 January 2019. Following the merger involving Reshet 13 and Channel 10, a dedicated news service, HaHadashot 12, was established for the Keshet 12 environment. Keshet 12 operates as a free-to-air Israeli television channel and is part of Keshet Media Group's broader media portfolio. Its online presence is linked to mako, the group's digital platform, which provides television-related content and access to the channel's digital offerings. The available reference material identifies the channel's core role as an Israeli television broadcaster but does not provide a complete program catalogue, executive list, financial history, or detailed audience data. The channel has also been the subject of a reported security incident connected to its journalism. In July 2026, masked individuals reportedly smashed the entrance of its Tel Aviv offices after the channel's coverage of alleged abuse at the Sde Teiman detention camp. A handwritten note at the scene reportedly contained a death threat, while an earlier incident involved bricks being thrown through the building's glass entrance. The event illustrates the risks faced by Israeli broadcasters during highly polarizing news coverage, but the supplied material does not establish any resulting ownership, programming, or operational change.

• 2026

  Reported attack on channel offices

  [1]Channel 12 (Israel)en.wikipedia.org

  The entrance to Keshet 12's Tel Aviv offices is reportedly damaged in an attack linked to criticism of the channel's coverage of alleged detainee abuse.

• 2019

  HaHadashot 12 is established

  [1]Channel 12 (Israel)en.wikipedia.org

  A dedicated news service associated with Keshet 12 is established on 16 January after the merger involving Reshet 13 and Channel 10.

• 2017

  Keshet 12 launches

  [1]Channel 12 (Israel)en.wikipedia.org

  Keshet 12 begins broadcasting on 1 November as Keshet Media Group's standalone successor channel following the closure of the shared Channel 2 service.

• 2017

  Restructuring of Channel 2 programming

  [1]Channel 12 (Israel)en.wikipedia.org

  Programming from the former Channel 2 structure is divided between Keshet 12 and Reshet 13 as part of Israel's commercial broadcasting reform.

A major Israeli free-to-air general television channel created as Keshet Media Group's standalone successor to its former shared Channel 2 concession.

• Free-to-air television channel · 2017

  Keshet 12

  The main broadcast brand of Keshet Media Group in Israel. Keshet 12 launched on 1 November 2017 after Channel 2 was closed and its former shared programming structure was divided between Keshet 12 and Reshet 13. It serves the Israeli market with general television programming and associated news content.

• Television news service · 2019

  HaHadashot 12

  The dedicated news service associated with Keshet 12. It was established on 16 January 2019 after the merger involving Reshet 13 and Channel 10. Before that change, the main primetime news bulletin supplied by the Israel Television News Company was simulcast on Keshet 12 and Reshet 13.

• 2026

  Reported attack and death threat following news coverage

  The cited reference reports that masked individuals damaged the entrance to Keshet 12's Tel Aviv offices and left a handwritten death threat concerning the channel's coverage of alleged abuse of a Palestinian detainee at the Sde Teiman detention camp. It also reports an earlier incident involving bricks thrown through the building's glass entrance.

  Source

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• 2019

  Establishment of a dedicated news serviceStrategy

  Background

  The main news bulletin had initially been provided to both Keshet 12 and Reshet 13 and simulcast on the two channels.

  Action taken

  HaHadashot 12 was established on 16 January 2019 after the merger involving Reshet 13 and Channel 10.

  Aftermath

  Keshet 12 became associated with a dedicated news service rather than relying solely on the earlier shared-bulletin arrangement.

  Source

• 2017

  Move from a shared concession to an independent channelStrategy

  Background

  Keshet and Reshet had previously programmed the shared Channel 2 service under Israel's commercial broadcasting framework. A regulatory reform sought to increase competition and diversity by replacing that arrangement with separate channels.

  Action taken

  Keshet Media Group launched Keshet 12 as its standalone channel on 1 November 2017, alongside Reshet 13.

  Aftermath

  The former Channel 2 programming structure was divided between the two new channels, creating separate identities for Keshet and Reshet.

  • Reshet 13 — Reshet launched its own standalone channel at the same time as Keshet 12 as part of the same regulatory restructuring.

  Source

1. 1Channel 12 (Israel)en.wikipedia.org
2. 2Keshet television websitemako.co.il