MUMBAI: Avi Armoza made big news when he announced in 2019 that  he was selling lock stock and barrell the production and formats company that bears his name to ITV Studios. Now, the spotlight is once again on him with his new announcement that he was buying back Armoza Formats from the UK production major. 

The only difference is that the latter will own the catalogue it had acquired while Armoza will have ownership over all future formats it develops as well the exclusive right to produce ITV Studios formats in Israel. So around 100 titles including Still Standing, Marry Me Now and The Four will be the property of ITV, while ongoing productions between the two will have the status quo maintained. Among these are: the Israeli version of the ITV format Love Island which is about to begin airing on Free TV, three seasons of Come Dine With Me, and two seasons of the game show The 1% Club for Kan 11.  Additionally, a new Arabic language version of Come Dine With Me is in production and The Chase in Arabic is being developed, as well as the original Armoza production, Cooking Up Memories, which is now on air for Makaan.

“Adapting to the changing needs of the market – exploring and finding new ways to do business has always been at the heart of Armoza Formats. I’m excited for the next chapter,” says the feisty Israeli creator Avi. 

“I’m really pleased to continue to work with Avi as he represents our catalogue of award-winning formats, ” says ITV Studios managing director international production Lisa Perrin.