Channel 14 Owner Acquires Control of Outdoor Advertising Firm

Yitzhak Mirilashvili, the primary owner of Israeli Channel 14, has acquired a controlling stake of approximately 51% in Deal Tov, a company specializing in outdoor billboard advertising. The deal, reportedly valued between 40 and 60 million shekels, was finalized in early July. Deal Tov operates 850 billboards across Israel, holding exclusive advertising rights in numerous towns, including Rosh Ha'ayin, Giv'at Shmuel, Kiryat Shmona, and Nahariya.

The acquisition comes at a time when outdoor advertising is in high demand due to upcoming elections, making Deal Tov's services particularly valuable to political campaigns. The company's assets include prominent locations such as five billboards on Ayalon Highway, advertising at the Geha Junction, and extensive coverage in Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan, Bnei Brak, and other municipalities. Industry estimates place Deal Tov's market share between 10% and 20%.

Mirilashvili, son of billionaire Mikhail Mirilashvili, also controls radio station Kol Chai and the weekly publication "Olam Katan," outlets associated with the ruling party. He holds shares in the Economy Channel and the news website 04. Despite the potential for ideological influence, sources close to Deal Tov indicate the company will maintain a strictly business approach, serving all political factions, including the opposition.

Natanel Siman Tov, Mirilashvili's partner in Ofarim Media and a director at Channel 14 and "Olam Katan," will also serve as a director at Deal Tov. Shmuel Heilman Tikotsky, CEO of Kol Chai radio, will join the board as well. The seller of the controlling stake was businessman Gal Chatzor, former owner of the Hapoel Petah Tikva football club, who retains a 49% stake in Deal Tov. Neither Chatzor nor Mirilashvili's representatives provided comment.