Reality TV Dominates Israeli Entertainment Landscape in 2026

The year 2026 (Hebrew year תשפ"ו) has concluded, reaffirming the significant role of reality television in Israeli culture, entertainment, and public discourse. From cooking competitions to dating shows and social media formats, Israeli audiences have continued to engage with and choose their favorite programs. The website ice has compiled its "Reality Show of the Year" rankings, highlighting the most successful shows.

Taking the top spot is "Come Dine with Me" (Bavua La'am) on Kan 11. The British format, where amateur cooks host each other and anonymously rate their meals, has become a staple. Its success is attributed to its simple yet engaging formula, diverse cast representing Israeli society, and the distinctive narration by שי אביבי. The show aired four seasons in the past year, including specials for holidays and featuring various personalities, maintaining high viewership on both television and digital platforms.

"Power Couple" on Reshet 13 secured second place. This international format tests celebrity couples' relationships through challenges in a closed environment. The latest season was filmed in India, featuring demanding physical and mental tasks that exposed intense emotions and conflicts. Hosted by רון שחר, the season included notable couples like אסי and עדי בוזגלו, and אורי and אנה בנאי, generating significant buzz through on-screen drama and off-screen gossip.

"Big Brother" on Reshet 13 ranked third. Hosted by לירון ויצמן and גיא זו-ארץ, the show continued to be a major topic of social media and public conversation. This season featured a mix of well-known personalities and ordinary individuals who became stars. גל רובין, a mother of six and former "Survivor" contestant, won the million-shekel prize. The season faced delays due to security concerns and saw a mid-season hosting change, but still provided ample drama and reflection of Israeli society.

"Married at First Sight" on Keshet 12 came in fourth, offering an intimate look at couples navigating marriage after being matched by experts. The show's 42-day experiment and the couples' decisions afterward sparked widespread discussion. The season was marked by unexpected developments both on and off-screen, with some couples staying together and starting families, while others separated, continuing to generate headlines even after the finale.

Rounding out the top five was "Dancing with the Stars" on Keshet 12. The show brought glamour and rhythm back to television with international production standards, complex choreography, and a professional judging panel. High-profile contestants like שירי מימון and עדן גולן delivered standout performances, maintaining strong ratings and establishing the show as a cornerstone of local entertainment.

Other notable shows included "The Next Star to Eurovision" (Keshet 12), which concluded its 12th season with נועם בתן winning and representing Israel at Eurovision 2026, securing second place internationally. "Race for the Million" (Keshet 12) featured a unique split start across two countries and concluded with friends and footballers טום שלח and אלמוג אוחיון winning. "Game of Chefs" (Reshet 13) ended its eighth season with בר צנגר taking the title, and the digital reality format "Israel Matchmaking" (Israel Entertainment) proved successful with short, fast-paced episodes, announcing a second season with a significant investment.