Nana 10

History

Channel 10 began broadcasting on January 28, 2002. The channel offers original drama series, entertainment shows, news shows, lifestyle programs and foreign programs. Initially the channel was going to have two franchisees, Israel 10 and Eden Broadcasting. Due to delays, Eden Broadcasting and Israel 10 merged their license in June 2002. The channel got an own news company in 2003. In 2006, during the Second Lebanon War, Channel 10 News exposed a series of malfunctions in the decision making process leading to the war. Two American presidents have granted Channel 10 exclusive interviews, and during 2011 alone it aired interviews with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, UK Foreign Secretary William Hague, Governor Rick Perry, Dennis Ross, French Presidential Candidate Marine Le Pen and others.

In 2011 the Channel encountered financial difficulties and asked the Knesset's finance committee to postpone payment on a tax and royalty debt to the State. The Coalition of Netanyahu's government, in response, ordered all of its MK's to vote against such a postponement. Such tax waivers were regularly given in the past. Israeli and International press published that the Israeli Government has done so in retaliation to an exclusive story published by Channel 10 news, investigating the way in which Netanyahu financed trips abroad, together with his wife. Following that story, the State Comptroller opened a formal investigation and Prime Minister Netanyahu filled a libel suit against the Channel. In late December 2013, it signed a collaboration agreement with China Central Television, enabling the airing of some of its programs on the channel, and in later stages, co-productions and Channel 10 programs on CCTV channels.

From 2013 to 2019, The channel gradually transferred its programs to 16:9 widescreen picture format, which became most of the content's aspect ratio by 2016. On 1 March 2016, the channel's news programs began broadcasting in widescreen as well. A few of the channel's productions and programs still remain in 4:3 aspect ratio, for which the channel switches its broadcast automatically.

Original productions

Shows about current affairs

Hayom Shehaya (The Day That Was) – late night current events program.

London et Kirschenbaum – current affairs news show.

Economy at night - a show about current economic events. the show was aired during 2009-2017.

Investigative shows

Kolbotek - a veteran Israeli consumer affairs and investigative reporting TV show on Channel 2.

Reality shows

Hisardut (Survivor) – Reality game show. (Moved to the now-defunct Channel 2, currently airing on channel Reshet 13)

Controversies

Knesset security breach

In June 2013, an investigative report by the news program Tzinor Laila (English: Nightline) aired on Channel 10 in which journalists described a type of 'plastic gun', showing how all its parts can be 3D printed and assembled, and the program's journalists managed to smuggle the weapon twice into the Knesset. First, they managed to bring it into the offices of Miri Regev. Second, reporter Uri Even carried the weapon into an event in the Knesset compound attended by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The reporters passed all related security checks, including metal detector scans, and got only a few feet away from Netanyahu.

Though the expose was created for the purposes of raising awareness and the firearm (a Liberator model handgun) was never actually filled with bullets, a public controversy ensued. The Prime Minister's official office issued a statement reading that "the way of action shown in the report is known to security personnel" and that "several other security arrangements, both visible and hidden, exist." The statement also argued that Channel 10's "act was irresponsible and could have endangered the perpetrators of the questionable 'journalistic mission' and cause them severe damage."

Other controversies

In 2009, The Vatican complained to the Israeli government about a TV clip aired on Channel 10 that allegedly blasphemed Jesus and Mary. On a show hosted by Lior Shlein, a clip was shown where Mary was said to have become pregnant at 15 by a schoolmate and the idea of Jesus walking on water was dismissed because "he was so fat he was ashamed to leave the house, let alone go to the Sea of Galilee with a bathing suit." Israel said the broadcaster would publicly apologize.

In another incident in 2009, a reality show contestant called his shoe "Mohammed", sparking an angry response from local Muslims. In a clip, one of the contestants referred to his shoes as "Nasrin" and "Mohammed." Nasrin, a Palestinian from Haifa who was voted off the show early, had clashed with him.