ITV Studios acquires Armoza Formats

ITV Studios (ITVS) has acquired Israeli format creator and distributor Armoza Formats.

The company, founded by Avi Armoza, has more than 100 shows in its catalogue including primetime singing format The Four (pictured), gameshow Still Standing, and primetime studio entertainment series I Can Do That!, which has aired in over 25 countries.

The deal will see Armoza Formats become part of ITVS’ Global Creative Network, headed up by Mike Beale, with the company continuing to be based in Tel Aviv. Financial details have not been disclosed but TBI understands Armoza will remain with the company.

The Israeli firm will continue to develop and source new formats, and also work with producers within the ITVS group on their projects in development. ITVS labels will exclusively produce all newly-developed Armoza formats in territories within which it has a presence.

Maria Kyriacou, president at ITVS International, said: “This is a unique opportunity to work with Avi and his team and combine his expertise with ITV’s presence and reach to undoubtedly create many more hits of the future.”

Armoza (left) added: “We both share the same values and passion for success through creativity and strongly believe that ITV Studios are the perfect partner for the next stage of the company’s evolution.”

The company’s catalogue includes third-party formats such as Dance Revolution, and shows developed in-house such as The Four, which aired on US broadcaster Fox. It has also sold to Lithuanian broadcaster LNK TV, as well as Brazilian broadcaster Record TV and Greece’s Antenna TV.

Armoza’s shows will join a growing raft of formats under the ITVS umbrella, including reality-skewing Love Island, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, and The Voice. The latter was picked up as part of the UK broadcaster’s deal for Talpa Media in 2015.

In recent years ITVS has also added companies including Sweden’s Elk Productions, French prodco Tetra Media Studio and World Productions to its stable.