Keshet Seeks to Block Ex-Executive From Leading Rival Channel 13

Keshet, the licensee for Israel's Channel 12, has filed a request with the Tel Aviv Regional Labor Court to prevent its outgoing deputy CEO, Itai Dancner, from assuming the role of CEO at Channel 13, a rival network. Dancner was appointed by Channel 13's new owners, led by Assaf Rappaport, but Keshet alleges he is violating a four-month non-compete clause in his employment contract. Keshet claims it offered to compensate Dancner for this period, but their efforts were unsuccessful.

Dancner, who has worked at Keshet since January 2019 and currently serves as its head of programming, was described as a close advisor to CEO Hilik Shrir. According to Keshet, Dancner managed its short and long-term programming, acted as liaison with its news division, and oversaw business development projects for the news company. Keshet's lawsuit cites Dancner's employment agreement, which stipulates that for four months after his departure, he cannot engage in any competing business with Keshet or its affiliates, including working for any commercial television broadcaster, internet portal, or competitor.

Keshet asserts that Dancner initially acknowledged his obligations and even requested a shorter non-compete period, but later acted in bad faith by refusing to honor his commitment. The company is not seeking to prevent competition generally or Dancner's use of his skills, but rather to protect confidential, current, and competitively valuable information during the agreed-upon restricted period. Dancner had access to Keshet's programming plans up to 18 months in advance, including launch dates, schedules, episode counts, production costs, future content strategies, and commercial practices, all of which have significant economic implications.

During the four months following Dancner's departure, Keshet plans to air two major strategic prime-time programs that he personally supervised. Keshet claims Dancner possesses internal information about their planned broadcast dates, which is not public and holds competitive value. The company also alleges Dancner was privy to research on content characteristics and talent suitable for Keshet and its news division. Keshet hinted that its business information may have already been leaked to Channel 13, citing an instance during election night when Keshet ran a long commercial break at 8:50 PM, and Channel 13 simultaneously aired competitive content, which was unusual for them and appeared to benefit from the timing of Keshet's commercials.

The request was filed by attorneys Asaf Baranzon, Ofer Ravid, and Idan Pepper. Dancner and Channel 13 have not yet submitted their responses.