I24NEWS (Israeli TV channel) explained

i24NEWS
Owner:	Patrick Drahi
Picture Format:	HDTV 1080i
Language:	English, Spanish, French, Arabic, Hebrew
Country:	Israel
Area:	Worldwide
Affiliates:	Israel Television News Company
Headquarters:	Jaffa Port, Tel Aviv
Online Serv 1:	i24news.tv
Online Chan 1:	,,

i24NEWS is a 24-hour news television channel which was created by journalists and reporters from Israel.^[1] It broadcasts in languages such as French, English, Hebrew, and Arabic. The English channel offers a weekly broadcast in Spanish, as well. The broadcast owner is Patrick Drahi, and the CEO is Frank Melloul. The company is based in Tel Aviv, Israel, but the broadcast network reports news from all over the world.^[2]

In early 2017, the channel paired up with the US to expand their channel. By 2018, the company had studios in Tel Aviv, Paris, New York, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles, which it still has. It still deploys correspondents in other locations around the world.^[3] In September 2021, following the Abraham Accords, the channel received a broadcasting license from the United Arab Emirates and opened its Gulf bureau in Dubai Media City.^{[4] [5] [6]} In May 2022, the channel launched its operations in Morocco with two new bureaus in Rabat and Casablanca.^[7]

History

The channel went live on 17 July 2013. Melloul stated that it would battle prejudice and ignorance about Israel with "facts and diversity".^{[8] [9]}

Arab Israeli journalist Lucy Aharish was the lead anchor of the English-language branch of the channel from July 2013 until she left in January 2016.

On 8 December 2016, all programming on the English channel officially ended in preparation for launching in America. The channel broadcast 10 minutes of news on the hour from 0800 to 2300 (local time), replacing "Morning Edition", "The Daily Beat" and "The Lineup".

The launch of i24NEWS in the United States was announced on 27 January 2017. The channel is operated out of its headquarters in Jaffa.

Live programming in the US is broadcast from Times Square in New York, New York, as well as from an additional bureau in Washington, D.C.. Approximately 50 journalists were hired to staff the two locations, and the channel uses resources from its Jaffa headquarters.

Among the first journalists hired were Michelle Makori, anchor and editor-in-chief; David Shuster, managing editor; and Dan Raviv, a veteran of CBS News. The channel acquired many of its debut behind-the-scenes talent from the former Al Jazeera America.

Haaretz, in a report on 2 December 2019, indicated that i24NEWS, in order to secure an English broadcast license, gave Benjamin Netanyahu favoritism in its coverage.^[10] The channel denied the allegations.

In 2020, following the Abraham Accords, i24NEWS signed a variety of memoranda of understanding^[11] and partnership agreements with leading companies in the UAE. i24NEWS became the first Israel-based channel to be broadcast in the UAE. In 2021, the channel received a UAE broadcast license and launched its studios^[12] in Dubai Media City, the regional hub for media organizations in the Gulf.

In 2022, i24NEWS launched its operations in Morocco^[13] and opened bureaus in Rabat and Casablanca.^[14]

On 29 October 2023, the i24 launched i24 Freedom, a 24-hour international channel devoted to the ongoing Israel–Hamas War.

On 30 June 2024, i24NEWS launched a Hebrew language channel.^{[15] [16]}

Distribution

i24NEWS started broadcasting in Israel on August 29, 2018.^[17] It is offered in France (including the French West Indies), Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Poland and across the African continent. The channel is also streamed live on its website in all three languages.

The channel signed an agreement enabling it to be broadcast in Germany on Kabel Deutschland.^[18] i24NEWS was initially broadcast in the United States via the Jewish Life Television network,^[19] but following the acquisition of Cablevision by Drahi-owned Altice USA (formerly Cablevision with a public brand of Optimum), i24NEWS is now broadcast on many US cable and TV operators, among them: Optimum channel 14, Suddenlink channel 49, Mediacom channel 228, Xfinity channel 1118, Spectrum and others.^[20]

i24NEWS English is available in the UK, along with a number of other international news channels, via online video subscription service NewsPlayer+.^[21]

In January 2021, i24NEWS became the first Israeli-based channel available in the UAE, on the country's leading content provider Etisalat.^[22] Later that year, DU became the second operator to add the channel to its subscribers in the UAE.^[23]

Starting October 2021, i24NEWS is available in Australia on Flash streaming service.^[24]

Key people

Anchors at i24 past and present include:^[25]

• Tal Heinrich, anchor and correspondent (2014–2019)
• Calev Ben-David, anchor, The Rundown
• Emily Frances, anchor, Holy Land Uncovered
• David Matlin, anchor, Zoom In
• Yoav Limor, anchor, Strictly Security
• Carlos Gurovich, anchor, Ñews24
• Natasha Kirtchuk, anchor, 'Global Eye' & Israel Business Beat
• Laura Cellier, anchor, Middle East Now
• Jacob Eilon (Ya'akov Eilon), anchor, Middle East Now
• Ellie Hochenberg, anchor, Global Eye

i24NEWS English programming^[26]

In addition to up-to-the-minute news, the channel also features a variety of current affairs shows and reports on such subjects as economy, defense, sport, hi-tech and other topics. Culture magazine shows and special interviews are broadcast between the hourly news updates.

• i24NEWS Desk: Hourly Flashes. Live news updates throughout the day from around the world.
• The Rundown: Calev Ben David breaks down the need-to-know news from around the world in a fast-paced and engaging format.
• Middle East Now: The top news coming out of the Middle East, the burning issues and the strategic, groundbreaking cooperation, with special interviews and the views and voices of those at the center of events. Hosts: Ya'akov Eylon or Laura Cellier.
• Global Eye: Global Eye is the window to the world straight from Tel Aviv. Sarah Coats travels through every region of the world, breaking down the most trending and important stories of the day worldwide.
• Zoom In with Jeff Smith: Zooming in on the main headlines of the day, Jeff Smith brings the latest from Israel, the Middle East and the world not forgetting to discuss whatever is trending.
• Israel Business Beat with Natasha Kirtchuk: Business Beat is your inside look into the future. Discover the most groundbreaking innovations coming out of Israel and the world, meet the people and entrepreneurs changing our plant, and catch up on the trending news that is shaping today's business.
• Strictly Security: a weekly look into security, intelligence and strategic affairs. The latest on the major international conflicts, as well as an in-depth analysis of the ongoing security issues in the Middle-East and around the globe. Host: Yoav Limor.
• Holy Land Uncovered: Holy Land Uncovered is a weekly magazine about faith, religion and the history of the region that takes viewers to places they may not otherwise ever see. Host: Emily Frances.
• Malard at Large: A straightforward one-on-one conversation with a head of state, former head of state, prime minister, decision-maker, as they discuss the issues and geopolitics of the Middle East, North America, Europe, Africa and Asia. Host: Christian Malard.
• Ñews24: i24NEWS Spanish weekly magazine with Carlos Gurovich and Damian Pachter.

Former programs

• Crossroads, daily prime-time show broadcast live from Times Square in New York City, anchor Tal Heinrich (August 2018 through December 2019)^[27]

i24NEWS French programming^[28]

• i24NEWSROOM: Hourly Flashes. Live news updates throughout the day from around the world.
• French: Le Prime: Daily show with reports and interviews focus on political, diplomatic and economic news in the Middle East. Host: Jean-Charles Banoun.
• French: Les Grandes Gueules Moyen-Orient: Daily debate show between Tel Aviv, Paris, New York and as far as Dubai to debrief about the news of the day with those who live it. Host: Benjamin Petrover.
• French: Conversations avec Anna Cabana: One hour of exchange with a guest to understand the wings of power. Host: Anna Cabana. There is a controversy about Anna Cabana in 2022 who is French Education minister Jean-Michel Blanquer’s wife and directed a show while issues about her husband were debated.
• French: Malard en liberté: A straightforward one-on-one conversation with a head of state, former head of state, prime minister, decision-maker, as they discuss the issues and geopolitics of the Middle East, North America, Europe, Africa and Asia. Host: Christian Malard.
• French: Le Grand Oral: Every Sunday, an interview focus on one famous guest, hosted by Benjamin Petrover with 4 columnists in Paris and Tel-Aviv.
• Défense: Magazine dealing with Defense and Security issues in the Middle-East. Host: Matthias Inbar.
• Culture: The journal of arts, shows, books and lifestyle. Host: Valérie Abécassis.
• French: Histoires et Découvertes: Weekly program about History. Host: Valérie Pérez.
• French: Conversations avec Nathalie Nagar: Weekly magazine focus on Israeli society. Host: Nathalie Nagar.
• Orient: Weekly magazine focus on Middle-East and Maghreb world. Host: Cyril Amar.
• Afrique: Weekly programm focus on Israeli-African relationships. Host: Jean-Charles Banoun.
• Politique: Weekly show dealing with Israeli politics. Host: Nathalie Nagar.
• Dubai Lifestyle: Short program focus on UAE.

i24NEWS Arabic programming^[29]

• i24NEWS Desk: News from the Middle East and around the world.
• STAD 24: A comprehensive sports show focusing on Arab sports news in Israel and the region. The weekly magazine brings the latest on football clubs in the Gulf and the rest of the Arab world and features colorful reports about interesting people and teams that are outside of spotlight.
• ADAAL MASA: Daily News show that focuses on main headlines of the day with guests, debates and reports.
• The Debate: A daily debate.
• Eye On The Gulf: A weekly show that sheds an eye on the most important Gulf political and economic issues and headlines, and the most important issues on social networking.
• Madar al Osboa: a weekly show that brings the most interesting events of the week, combining guests in the studio.

Broadcasting

High-definition (HD) broadcasting started in March 2017 via satellite using Hot Bird 13C-capacities (French and English feed only).

See also

• I24NEWS (United States)
• International news channels
• Television in Israel

Notes and References

1. News: i24news gives 'different view' of Israel: director . Michael . Blum . https://web.archive.org/web/20140219075800/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jMR2fW7IMr88duCULDwIBXNLHGbw . dead . 19 February 2014 . AFP . 19 July 2013 . 11 April 2019.
2. Web site: Udasin . Sharon . 1 March 2017 . Becoming a global news network: i24News opens its doors in the US . 2021-12-13 . . en-US . 13 December 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211213124809/https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/becoming-a-global-news-network-i24news-opens-its-doors-in-the-us-482955 . live .
3. Web site: 7 September 2019 . Global network i24NEWS expands into US national coverage . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220415000855/https://www.israelhayom.com/2019/07/09/global-network-i24news-expands-into-us-national-coverage/ . 15 April 2022 . 2021-12-13 . Israel Hayom.
4. Web site: 2021-06-21 . Israel-based i24News channel to open office in Dubai Media City . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211213131904/https://english.alarabiya.net/media/television-and-radio/2021/06/21/Israel-based-i24News-channel-to-open-office-in-Dubai-Media-City . 13 December 2021 . 2021-12-13 . . en.
5. Web site: 14 September 2021 . i24NEWS special broadcast to mark 1-year anniversary of Abraham Accords . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220415000903/https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/09/14/i24news-special-broadcast-to-mark-1-year-anniversary-of-abraham-accords/ . 15 April 2022 . 2021-12-13 . Israel Hayom.
6. Web site: 21 June 2021 . Israel-based i24News channel to open Dubai office . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211213131905/https://www.gulftoday.ae/news/2021/06/21/israel-based-i24news-channel-to-open-dubai-office . 13 December 2021 . 2021-12-13 . Gulf Today.
7. Web site: Clover . Julian . 2022-05-31 . i24NEWS launches in Morocco . 2022-07-25 . Broadband TV News . en-GB . 25 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220725091736/https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2022/05/31/i24news-launches-in-morocco/ . live .
8. News: Harman . Danna . 26 June 2013 . Move Over Al Jazeera, Israel's Own 24-hour TV News Station Is About to Go Live . en . . 2023-10-07 . 17 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230117084710/https://www.haaretz.com/2013-06-26/ty-article/.premium/move-over-al-jazeera-i24-going-on-air/0000017f-e35f-d9aa-afff-fb5fb6320000 . live .
9. News: Margalit . Ruth . July 29, 2013 . The Israeli Answer to Al Jazeera . . 11 April 2019 . 25 August 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180825082626/https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/the-israeli-answer-to-al-jazeera . live .
10. News: Breiner . Josh . Tucker . Nati . 2 December 2019 . How i24News Turned pro-Netanyahu to Secure Broadcast License . . 2 December 2019 . 2 December 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191202223307/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium.MAGAZINE-how-i24news-turned-pro-netanyahu-to-secure-broadcast-license-1.8216249 . live .
11. Web site: 7 July 2020 . Israel's i24NEWS, UAE's leading outlet sign historic collaboration deal . 2021-12-22 . . 22 December 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211222140953/https://www.israelhayom.com/2020/12/07/israeli-broadcaster-uaes-leading-outlet-sign-historic-collaboration-deal/ . live .
12. News: AFP . 2021-06-21 . Israel's i24News network to open Dubai office . en . . 2021-12-22 . 3 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220303185502/https://www.ynetnews.com/business/article/HJrcQzRo00 . live .
13. News: 2 June 2022 . Israeli firms and tourists are piling into Morocco . . 2022-07-25 . 0013-0613 . 25 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220725091735/https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2022/06/02/israeli-firms-and-tourists-are-piling-into-morocco . live .
14. Web site: 2022-05-31 . Israel i24news channel opens office in Morocco . 2022-07-25 . . en-GB . 25 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220725092221/https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220531-israel-i24news-channel-opens-office-in-morocco/ . live .
15. Web site: 2024-06-30 . Israel debuts its first 24/7 news channel i24 . 2024-07-25 . The Jerusalem Post JPost.com . en.
16. Web site: i24NEWS . 2024-06-30 . i24NEWS Hebrew channel set to launch Sunday evening . 2024-07-25 . i24NEWS . en.
17. News: . August 29, 2018 . International news channel i24NEWS to begin broadcasting in Israel . i24 News . 11 April 2019 . 12 February 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190212212333/https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/international/international/182936-180829-international-news-channel-i24news-to-begin-broadcasting-in-israel . live .
18. News: Briel . Robert . 1 April 2019 . i24news signs German, Swiss deals . Broadband TV News . 11 April 2019 . 17 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220117003341/https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2014/04/01/i24news-signs-german-swiss-deals/ . live .
19. News: Averbach . Li-or . March 18, 2014 . Patrick Drahi's Israeli News Channel I24news to Air in US by JLTV . . 11 April 2019 . 30 August 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180830073756/https://jewishbusinessnews.com/2014/03/18/patrick-drahis-israeli-news-channel-i24news-to-air-in-us-by-jltv/ . live .
20. Web site: i24NEWS. Channels. 2021-12-22. I24news. en. 14 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211214112457/https://www.i24news.tv/en/channels. live.
21. Web site: 20 January 2021 . NewsPlayer+ brings forward streaming launch . 2023-10-07 . Broadband TV News . en-GB . 17 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220117003329/https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2021/01/20/newsplayer-brings-forward-streaming-launch/ . live .
22. Web site: 2021-01-04. Etisalat launches Israel-based i24NEWS channels on eLife and Switch TV. 2021-12-13. BroadcastPro ME. en-US. 17 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220117003338/https://www.broadcastprome.com/news/etisalat-launches-israel-based-i24news-channels-on-elife-and-switch-tv/. live.
23. Web site: 12 July 2020 . Abu Dhabi Media, Israel-based i24News sign MoU . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211213133915/https://wam.ae/en/details/1395302892972 . 13 December 2021 . 2021-12-13 . WAM (Emirates news agency).
24. Web site: Stead . Chris . 2021-10-14 . What is Foxtel Flash? News streaming app explained . 2021-12-13 . . en-AU . 13 December 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211213133913/https://www.finder.com.au/foxtel-flash-news . live .
25. Web site: Profiles . I24news . 30 January 2024 . en.
26. Web site: i24NEWS. Check Out Our Brilliant Shows - I24NEWS. 2021-12-14. I24news. en. 14 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211214085147/https://www.i24news.tv/en/shows. live.
27. News: Tal Heinrich . 26 January 2024 . LinkedIn.
28. Web site: i24NEWS. Nos Émissions. 2021-12-14. I24news. fr. 14 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211214092347/https://www.i24news.tv/fr/emissions. live.
29. Web site: i24NEWS. برنامج. 2021-12-14. I24news. ar. 3 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220303133000/https://www.i24news.tv/ar/%D8%A8%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%AC. live.