Channel 14 Ratings Exaggerated by Israeli Politicians, Data Shows
Prominent Israeli politicians, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, and Communications Minister Shlomo Karai, have repeatedly claimed that Channel 14 boasts "very high" or "the highest" ratings. However, recent data indicates these assertions are inaccurate. While Channel 14's average ratings did surge significantly between 2022 and 2023, reaching up to 7.2%, they have since stabilized between 5% and 6.5% and have not surpassed those of its main competitor, Channel 12.
Analysis of advertising revenue further highlights the disparity. Between November 2023 and January 2024, Channel 12 captured 72.8% of commercial advertising revenue, compared to 20.8% for Channel 13 and only 6.4% for Channel 14. Similarly, in 2024, Channel 12 sold approximately 1,290 minutes of sponsored content, Channel 13 sold 947 minutes, and Channel 14 sold a mere 87 minutes. Despite this, government advertising expenditure in Channel 14 saw a dramatic 368% increase from 2022 to 2025, reaching 7.1 million shekels, while government spending on Channel 12 decreased by 45% during the same period.
Beyond news broadcasts, Channel 14's programming success is limited. Only one other current affairs program, "The Patriots," has achieved a high rating of around 9%. In contrast, Channel 12 features three programs with ratings exceeding 11% across different genres, including reality and satire, indicating a broader audience appeal.
Public trust in Channel 14 is also polarized. A 2026 survey revealed that 36% of respondents expressed complete distrust in the channel, the highest among all surveyed television stations. While 37% reported high trust, this indicates a significant division. The channel is particularly favored by coalition voters, with 58% preferring its news broadcast, while only 2.5% of opposition voters do. Conversely, 62% of opposition voters prefer Channel 12's news, compared to 16% of coalition voters.
Further analysis suggests Channel 14 operates within a political echo chamber. A 2024 survey found that 86% of Channel 14 viewers identify with the right-wing, with minimal exposure to the channel among centrist and left-wing populations. This contrasts with other channels, where right-wing identification among viewers ranges between 47% and 52%. The data suggests that while Channel 12 maintains a viewership across the political spectrum, Channel 14's audience is overwhelmingly concentrated among right-wing supporters.
