Avi Armoza buys back Armoza Formats from ITV Studios

Avi Armoza

Avi Armoza is buying Armoza Formats back from ITV Studios (ITVS), five years after the UK-based firm bought the Israeli producer-distributor.

Armoza Formats will continue to retain the exclusive right to produce ITVS’s formats in Israel, while ITVS will retain the Armoza Formats catalogue it acquired, with around 100 titles including Still Standing, Marry Me Now and The Four.

The Israeli firm, which was acquired for an undisclosed amount by ITVS in 2019, owns future projects with immediate effect and added that ongoing productions are not affected. Financial terms of the new deal have not been revealed

Still Standing

Tel Aviv-based Armoza Formats has been behind a raft of shows and formats over recent years, including a local remake of ITVS’s Love Island for Keshet’s Free TV, as well as three seasons of Come Dine With Me, an Israeli version of Magnum Media’s gameshow The 1% Club for KAN 11.

An Arabic-language version of Come Dine With Me is currently in production and an Arabic-language version of The Chase is in development, as well as the original Armoza production, Cooking Up Memories.

Armoza said: “Adapting to the changing needs of the market – exploring and finding new ways to do business – has always been at the heart of Armoza Formats. I’m excited for the next chapter.”

Lisa Perrin, MD of international production at ITVS, added: “Under Avi’s leadership, shows like Love Island and Come Dine With Me have launched successfully and I’m really pleased to continue to work with him as he represents our catalogue of award-winning formats.”

Armoza Formats was launched in 2005 and became part of Mike Beale’s Global Creative Network at ITVS, with Armoza retaining his leadership of the company.

It shifted under Perrin’s purview as MD of international production, with ITVS rejigging the firm in 2022 to position Armoza Formats as the brand used for international distribution, while Armoza Productions produced all ITVS content in the country.