Channel 13 News CEO to Depart After Elections Amid Ownership Change

Tali Ben-Ovdaya, the CEO of Channel 13 News, has requested to end her term immediately after the upcoming elections, a move that comes as the Second Authority for Television and Radio recently approved the acquisition of the channel by Assaf Rappaport. Ben-Ovdaya's departure follows approximately 10 months after the company's board confirmed her permanent appointment as CEO, ending a period of management uncertainty.

Rappaport's acquisition of control over Channel 13, along with the Merit fund, is expected to lead to significant structural changes. The next phase will involve appointing new directors by Rappaport to the Channel 13 board and restructuring the news company's board, which has been a focal point of disputes and turmoil in recent years. Through this new board, Rappaport is anticipated to initiate the process of appointing a new CEO for Channel 13 News to succeed Ben-Ovdaya.

Employees at Channel 13 News have expressed concerns about potential job losses following the approval of Rappaport's deal, particularly in light of the channel's recent underperforming ratings. Ben-Ovdaya, considered a seasoned figure in Israeli media, managed the news company through a complex war period and internal organizational upheavals. Her permanent appointment was delayed for months due to a dispute among board members, requiring a supermajority vote that was initially blocked by public representatives.

The deadlock was broken when one public representative left the board, shifting the balance of power. Channel 13 acted to finalize Ben-Ovdaya's appointment before new public directors could join and potentially create further opposition. Ben-Ovdaya's tenure was also marked by a high-profile legal dispute with former presenter Neta-Li Sham-Tov, who sued for alleged mistreatment and wrongful dismissal. The parties reached a settlement, but Channel 13 is now seeking to cancel it, citing a breach of confidentiality, which Sham-Tov's associates deny.