Channel 14 owner faces scrutiny: potential loss of media control
Media market drama: The "Hatzlacha" association and "Lobby 99" have petitioned the Second Authority for Television and Radio to end businessman Yitzhak Mirilashvili's joint ownership of Channel 14 and an ultra-Orthodox radio station, citing the expiration of legal exemptions.
The "Hatzlacha" association and the "Lobby 99" organization appealed on Wednesday to the Second Authority for Television and Radio, demanding that it exercise its regulatory powers to examine the ongoing holdings of businessman Yitzhak Mirilashvili.
According to the organizations' petition, the transitional provision that previously allowed the owner of Channel 14 to simultaneously hold the "Radio Kol Hai" station has expired, leaving no legal basis for continued cross-ownership.
Mirilashvili currently holds full ownership (100%) of the ultra-Orthodox radio station alongside his control of Channel 14. This combined holding was facilitated in the past by regulatory relief known as "Yanuka protections," designed to help media entities establish themselves in the market during their early stages.
While the validity of these reliefs was initially limited, it was extended twice by Minister of Communications Shlomo Karhi with the approval of the Economic Committee and the Knesset. The latest extension expired in February 2026.
In a letter sent to the Authority and revealed by "TheMarker," the organizations emphasized that the broadcasting law currently being promoted by the Ministry of Communications contains no additional transitional provisions to extend these benefits. They argue that maintaining ownership of the radio station alongside the television channel—as well as holding all shares of the commercial channel in violation of statutory limits—effectively undermines the integrity of media ownership laws.
