Keshet Studios Names Former Amazon MGM Exec Liz Cohen as Scripted EVP

Why It Matters

Liz Cohen’s move to Keshet underscores a shifting talent landscape where seasoned executives are migrating from large studios to agile, format‑centric companies. Her deep ties to premium talent and experience with first‑look deals could accelerate Keshet’s ability to produce high‑budget, globally appealing series, enhancing the studio’s competitiveness against traditional network powerhouses. Moreover, the appointment highlights the growing importance of cross‑border content strategies, as Keshet seeks to leverage its Israeli roots and international format library to meet the demand for culturally resonant storytelling on streaming platforms. For the broader television ecosystem, the hire signals that mid‑size studios are increasingly able to attract top‑tier leadership, potentially reshaping the balance of power in scripted development. As streaming services continue to chase fresh, globally viable content, executives like Cohen who can navigate both talent negotiations and format adaptations become critical assets, influencing where new series are green‑lit and how they are distributed worldwide.

Key Takeaways

• Liz Cohen, former senior development exec at Amazon MGM Studios, joins Keshet Studios as scripted EVP
• Cohen will oversee development, packaging and production of scripted projects across broadcast, cable and streaming
• She brings nearly 20 years of experience and has overseen more than 20 high‑profile talent deals
• Keshet’s recent scripted successes include Netflix’s “Lovesick,” NBC’s “La Brea,” and a first‑look deal with Sony Pictures Television
• The hire aims to boost Keshet’s global content pipeline and capitalize on its internationally acclaimed formats

Pulse Analysis

Keshet’s decision to recruit Liz Cohen reflects a strategic bet on talent that can bridge the gap between format licensing and original scripted development. Historically, Keshet has excelled at exporting Israeli formats—think "Homeland"—but the U.S. market increasingly rewards studios that can pair strong concepts with star power and premium production values. Cohen’s Amazon background, where she managed first‑look deals and shepherded projects from concept to green‑light, equips her to navigate the complex web of studio‑streaming negotiations that dominate today’s content economy.

The move also illustrates a broader industry pattern: mid‑size studios are becoming talent magnets, offering executives more creative latitude than the bureaucratic layers of mega‑studios. By granting Cohen authority over both original ideas and adaptations of Keshet’s catalog, the studio can accelerate the conversion of format rights into high‑budget series that appeal to both domestic and international audiences. This could pressure larger studios to reconsider how they source and develop scripted content, especially as streaming platforms demand a constant flow of fresh, globally resonant stories.

Looking forward, Cohen’s success will be measured by the speed and scale at which Keshet can deliver sell‑through scripted series. If she can replicate the deal‑making velocity she demonstrated at Amazon—securing multiple high‑profile talent agreements and shepherding projects like “Life Is Strange” to production—Keshet could emerge as a premier hub for premium, cross‑border television. That would not only boost the studio’s valuation but also reshape the competitive dynamics of the scripted market, where format expertise and executive acumen are increasingly intertwined.