Underscoring the globalization of TV, London-based Endemol Shine International has licensed action thriller “Mossad 101” from Israel’s Reshet Media, which Endemol Shine co-owns, to Turner Latin America.
The run-of-series deal will see Turner Latin America airing “Mossad 101” (“HaMidrasha”) across Latin America on TNT Series — which is fast pushing into international series, as well as continuing to air U.S. titles.
Besides TNT Series’ U.S. shows, in 2015 the channel added acquisitions and original productions from Mexico, Australia, Argentina, Brazil and Britain, among other markets, Mariano Cesar, vice-president channel manager, TNT Latin America and TNT Series, noted in a statement Wednesday.
That has led to “great growth” at TNT Series, which reaches 37.6 million homes across Latin America, he added, saying that with “Mossad 101,” TNT Series is “committed to continue strengthening this initiative so valued by our audience.”
Currently, TNT Series’ new bows in Latin America feature Season 5 of “Rizzoli & Isles,” aired on TNT in the U.S., and ABC series “The Astronaut Wives Club.” Also on its current schedule are Brazilian series ”Ze do Caixao,” about famed Brazilian horror director Jose Mojica Marins, and “Historia de un clan,” a true-life abduction thriller which has been a hit on Argentina’s Telefe.
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Produced by Sumayoko for Reshet Media, “Mossad 101” turns on a legendary Mossad agent summoned to Israel to head up a training course for wannabe Mossad agents. Instruction includes turning ethical individuals into experts in impersonation and manipulation.
In a statement Wednesday, Endemol Shine called it “a psychological, witty thriller” that depicts recruits dealing “with the loss of fundamental morals and values with which they were educated.”
“Mossad 101” was created by Uri Levron; Daniel Syrkin, director of soccer series “Imported”; and Izhar Har-Lev, a co-creator with Syrkin and others of 2012-15 family espionage drama “The Gorkin Cell.”
Endemol Shine has made a determined push into Israel. It acquired 33% of Reshet Media, which co-runs Israeli commercial network Channel 2, in 2013. The deal included a pact to create scripted productions. This April, Endemol Shine also launched a production hub in Israel, Endemol Shine Studios Israel, to oversee drama production in the country.
Cesar negotiated the TNT Series deal on “Mossad 101” with Veronique Verges, Endemol Shine International’s senior vice-president for Latin America.
