Echoes of a Nation
An academic exploration into Kan's role in shaping Israel's media landscape, from its foundational legislation to its diverse programming.
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What is Kan?
Israel's Public Broadcaster
The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (IPBC) functions as the national public broadcaster for Israel. It operates under the blanket branding Kan (Hebrew for 'Here') for its Hebrew-language services and Makan (Arabic for 'A place') for its Arabic-language offerings. Its news division, Kan News, holds a significant position as the third-largest news brand in Israel, following HaHadashot 12 and Channel 13 News.
Launch and Mandate
The IPBC officially commenced its radio and television operations on May 15, 2017, marking the succession of the long-standing Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA) as the state broadcaster. The corporation's foundational objectives are multifaceted, encompassing the expansion of knowledge, the promotion of Israeli culture, and fostering innovation within the broadcasting sector. This mandate underscores its role not merely as a content provider but as a cultural and educational institution.
Core Objectives
Beyond its operational launch, Kan's formal goals are deeply embedded in its public service ethos. These include:
- Expanding public education and general knowledge.
- Promoting and preserving Israeli culture, including original quality works and music.
- Driving innovation in broadcast content creation and distribution technologies.
These objectives guide its programming decisions and strategic initiatives, aiming to serve the diverse Israeli populace.
Foundational History
The Demise of the IBA
The establishment of the IPBC was necessitated by the significant decline in the status and operational efficiency of its predecessor, the Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA). Public committees identified several critical issues contributing to this deterioration, including an excessively large workforce, high salary expenditures, inflexible wage agreements, and an outdated governing legal framework. These findings underscored the urgent need for comprehensive structural and legislative reforms.
Legislative Framework
In response to the IBA's challenges, the Landes Committee was formed, recommending the cancellation of the television fee and the creation of a new broadcasting entity. This led to the Knesset establishing a committee, headed by MK Karin Elharar, to draft the public-broadcasting bill. The Public Broadcasting Law, mandating the creation of the IPBC and the closure of the IBA, was enacted on July 29, 2014. This legislation stipulated that a quarter of the new body's employees would transition from the IBA and educational television.
Delays and Inauguration
Despite legislative efforts, the transition faced multiple delays. Initial agreements between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Histadrut chairman Avi Nissenkorn postponed the IBA's dissolution. Further negotiations with Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon led to several revised launch dates, eventually settling on May 15, 2017. A contentious proposal in March 2017 to separate the news division into an independent corporation was approved by the Knesset but temporarily halted by a High Court of Justice injunction, highlighting the political complexities surrounding public broadcasting reform.
Television Channels
Broadcast & Digital Reach
Since its launch, the IPBC has broadcast two primary television channels, accessible through various platforms. These include national DVB-T2 transmitters, satellite feeds, major cable providers like HOT, satellite services such as YES, and smaller pay-TV operators including Cellcom TV and Partner TV. Additionally, Kan provides a free 24/7 livestream via the Internet, ensuring broad accessibility for its programming.
Flagship Channels
The core television offerings of Kan are strategically designed to cater to different linguistic and demographic segments of the Israeli audience:
Kan 11: This is the corporation's main channel, serving as the successor to the IBA'sChannel 1. Its programming primarily focuses on news, current affairs, and a wide array of cultural programs, reflecting its public service mandate.Makan 33: Dedicated to the Arabic-speaking population, this channel broadcasts news and cultural programs in Arabic, replacing the IBA'sChannel 33. It aims to provide relevant and culturally resonant content to its target audience.Kan Educational: Launched on August 15, 2018, this youth-oriented channel replacedChannel 23(formerly known as Hinuchit or Israeli Educational Television). It focuses on educational and entertaining content for children and adolescents.
Advanced Broadcasting
In 2018, Kan demonstrated its commitment to technological advancement by introducing a 4K resolution broadcast on Channel 511. While this high-definition channel was initially utilized specifically for broadcasts of the FIFA World Cup, it showcased the corporation's capability to deliver cutting-edge visual experiences to its viewers, aligning with its goal of promoting innovation in broadcasting technologies.
Radio Stations
Diverse Audio Landscape
Kan operates an extensive network of eight radio stations, all of which were transferred from the former IBA. These stations offer a rich and diverse audio landscape, catering to a wide range of interests, languages, and musical preferences across Israel. In addition to traditional broadcasts, streams and on-demand programming are readily available through Kan's official website, enhancing accessibility for listeners.
Core Stations
The main radio stations under the Kan umbrella include:
Kan Tarbut(Kan Culture): FormerlyReshet Aleph, this station focuses on talk shows and cultural programming, enriching public discourse.Kan Bet(Kan Network B): A primary source for news, current affairs, and sports, featuring hourly news updates in Hebrew.Kan Gimel: Dedicated to Israeli music, with Hebrew news at the top of most hours.Makan: FormerlyReshet Dalet, this is the Arabic-language station, providing news and cultural content to the Arab population.VoisFarsi(formerlyReshet HeiandKan Farsi): A Persian-language station offering Persian music and on-demand Farsi news programs.Kan REKA(Immigrant Network): A Russian-language station specifically tailored for Israeli olim (immigrants), providing relevant news and programming.Kan 88: Features a unique blend of jazz, blues, electronic music, and essential traffic reports.Kan Kol Ha-Musica(The Voice of Music): Dedicated to classical music and drama, with hourly Hebrew news broadcasts.Kan Moreshet(Heritage): Offers religious broadcasting content, available on theKan Tarbutnetwork.
Digital Audio Expansion
Beyond its traditional radio stations, Kan has embraced digital platforms, operating a dedicated podcast network known as Kan Hesketim (formerly Kan Od, or Kan More). This network provides a wealth of on-demand audio content. Furthermore, Kan offers seven specialized web-radio channels, each curated for specific musical genres, demonstrating its commitment to diverse listener preferences:
Digital Initiatives
Early Digital Adoption
During its formative period, before the full launch of its broadcast radio and television channels, the IPBC strategically leveraged digital platforms. Recognizing the evolving landscape of media consumption, particularly for news, the Internet became Kan's inaugural distribution channel in mid-2016. This early adoption of digital strategies allowed the corporation to establish a presence and engage with audiences even while its traditional broadcasting infrastructure was still under development.
Structure and Services
The digital division of Kan is structured into two key components to manage its online presence effectively:
- Content Creation Division: Responsible for developing and adapting content specifically for social media platforms, ensuring engagement with contemporary digital audiences.
- Products Division: Tasked with the crucial role of building, maintaining, and operating
Kan's various digital platforms, ensuring a seamless user experience.
The services provided by this division are comprehensive, including a feature-rich website with articles, videos, and digital radio stations, dedicated mobile applications for Android and iOS, a robust podcast network, and specialized content for major events such as the 2016 Summer Olympics. It also developed an interactive economic game presenting the state budget and actively engages on various social networks.
European Broadcasting Union Status
Initial Participation
The IPBC's relationship with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) was a critical aspect of its international standing. Due to delays in its launch, the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 was ultimately broadcast by the outgoing IBA, marking its final television production. Kan's application for full EBU membership, intended to replace the IBA as Israel's public broadcaster, underwent review by EBU governing bodies. An agreement was signed on July 6, 2017, allowing Kan to participate in EBU events, such as the Eurovision Song Contest, even without full membership at that time.
Eurovision Hosting & Challenges
Israel's victory in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 granted Kan the right to host the 2019 edition in Tel Aviv. However, this achievement brought a new challenge: the EBU issued a warning regarding a pending plan to separate Kan's news department into an independent broadcaster. EBU rules stipulate that member broadcasters must handle both news and entertainment programming. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly committed on June 18, 2018, that the Israeli government would adhere to EBU regulations to safeguard the country's hosting rights for the prestigious event.
Full Membership Achieved
Following these developments and the government's commitment to comply with EBU requirements, the IPBC's journey to full membership culminated successfully. On December 7, 2018, the EBU General Assembly unanimously voted to approve Kan's membership application. This significant milestone solidified Kan's position within the international public broadcasting community, enabling its full participation in EBU initiatives and events.
Governance & Operations
The Corporation's Board
The IPBC is overseen by a 12-member public board, which is instrumental in shaping corporate policy. This includes defining overall broadcasting strategy, approving broadcasting schedules, sanctioning budgets, appointing the general manager, and supervising management's adherence to policy. The board is also responsible for ratifying the corporation's organizational structure, employment policies, and personnel records, as well as reviewing and approving the CEO's annual work plan. Board members, appointed by the Minister of Communications for four-year terms (with a possibility of one additional term), are mandated to include at least six women and at least one Arab member, encompassing Druze and Circassian populations, ensuring diverse representation.
General Management
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the corporation is appointed to its board of directors for a four-year term, with potential for extension. The CEO's responsibilities are extensive, covering routine management, serving as the chief editor of all broadcasts, overseeing scheduled transmissions, and submitting budget proposals and annual work plans. The CEO also acts as the corporation's official representative, authorized to sign documents and transactions, and is responsible for hiring employees. Eldad Koblenz initially served as a temporary general manager, tasked with establishing the necessary infrastructure for corporate activity prior to the commencement of broadcasting.
Budgetary Allocation
The initial construction budget for the IPBC was allocated at ₪350 million (approximately US$98.1 million). This substantial investment was strategically distributed across various critical areas to ensure the corporation's robust establishment and operational readiness. Key allocations included ₪120 million ($33.6 million) for professional equipment, ₪28 million ($7.8 million) for labor costs, ₪14 million ($3.9 million) for operational expenses, ₪128 million ($35.8 million) for real estate acquisition and development, and $60 million specifically for content acquisition. This comprehensive budget aimed to provide a solid foundation for Kan's diverse broadcasting and digital initiatives.
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Important Notice
This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.
This is not professional advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional media analysis, policy consultation, or legal counsel regarding broadcasting regulations. Always refer to official government and corporate documentation and consult with qualified professionals for specific inquiries or decisions. Never disregard professional advice because of something you have read on this website.
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