Second only to the U.S. in TV series exports, Turkey has appealed to audience from 146 countries across the world with more than 150 TV series. Entert
Second only to the U.S. in TV series exports, Turkey has appealed to audience from 146 countries across the world with more than 150 TV series.
Entertaining more than 700 million audience from Europe, Middle East, Central Asia, Africa, and the U.S. so far, Turkey is expected to earn $1 billion in TV series exports by 2023.
As of 2018, Turkey’s revenue from TV series exports amounted to $500 million.
Yeni Şafak
Turkey’s hotly anticipated Ertuğrul sequel to hit screens soon
The hotly anticipated sequel to the global hit Turkish TV series Resurrection: Ertuğrul is set to hit screens on Nov. 20, according to a teaser released.Fans of the global sensation will be able to follow the events that led to the founding of the Ottoman Empire in the new season titled “Establishment: Osman,” starring popular Turkish actor Burak Özçivit in the titular role.
Muhtesem Yuzyil (The Magnificent Century), which was exported to most countries among Turkish TV series, attracted over 500 million viewers from 70 different countries.
Yeni Şafak
Resurrection: Ertuğrul becomes a part of Lebanon protests
The hit Turkish TV series Resurrection: Ertuğrul managed to leave its mark on the protests in Lebanon as music from the show was played during demonstrations.
Among the most profited Turkish TV series were Dirilis: Ertugrul (Resurrection: Ertugrul), Kara Para Ask (Dirty Money Love), Adini Feriha Koydum (I Named Her Feriha), Gumus (Silver), and Fatmagul’un Sucu Ne? (What is the Fault of Feriha?).
Four Turkish shows to watch while you wait for the new Ertuğrul sequel
Suffering from Resurrection: Ertuğrul withdrawal? Here are four enthralling Turkish TV series you can bingewatch to help you cope as you wait for its sequel Establishment: Osman, scheduled to air on Nov. 20. 1 – The Last Emperor (Payitaht: Abdulhamid) — a Turkish TV series about the life of AbdulHamid II, the 34th Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, which has drawn a broad international audience, especially in the Middle East and the Balkans. 2- Filinta — An Ottoman detective series that follows the adventures and intrigues of “Filinta Mustafa” – a police officer. Unfairly accused of a heinous crime, he must fight to clear his name “and save his life”, while also investigating ongoing cases. 3- Magnificent Century – a historical period drama that focuses on the life and times of 16th-century Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. 4- 4- Çukur — “The Pit”, ran by a noble mafia family called Koçovars. The family is in danger of losing the control of The Pit, one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Istanbul.Video: Turkey’s hotly anticipated Ertuğrul sequel to hit screens soonTurkish TV series connect viewers globally
Turkish TV series connect viewers globally
The Last Emperor (Payitaht: Abdulhamid) — a Turkish TV series about the life of Abdul Hamid II, the 34th Sultan of the Ottoman Empire — has drawn a broad international audience, especially in the Middle East and the Balkans.Serdar Ogretici, the show’s producer, spoke to Anadolu Agency as the series recently aired its 95th episode on state TV channel TRT1.The Last Emperor came to life following another Ottoman history-related TV series Filinta. Ogretici said they decided to produce The Last Emperor after seeing the audience interest in the character Abdul Hamid II in Filinta.“There are many documents and books [regarding the life and reign of Abdul Hamid II] available due to proximity of his reign to the current times and his reign’s long duration, and also he was a visionary,” he added.Because it is a closer date to current time, and Sultan Abdulhamid Han reigned for a long time and he has a visionary, different style, we have many documents and books about him.Industry in Turkey more efficient than HollywoodThe hard-working directors and crew give Turkey an edge over the U.S. when it comes to filming TV series, according to Ogretici.“We can create higher quality (content), because in one year they produce 10 episodes of 45-50 minutes, while we produce in 10 weeks episodes of much longer duration and spectacular […] we have more practice, our industry works very hard,” the producer said.Ogretici said they also work with historical consultants to ensure accuracy.“We are also keeping check on the credibility of the stories being told. A certain amount of fiction, of course, is unavoidable as we produce over 150 minutes of content per week. At the end of the day, we aren’t filming documentaries; we are creating something watchable that doesn’t contradict history,” he added.- Turkish TV series attract global audienceMany people in the Middle East and the Turkic countries have a particular interest in the Ottoman history. “(They) embrace the character as one of them […],” Ogretici pointed out.Second only to the U.S. in worldwide TV distribution, Turkey has made remarkable achievements in exports and international viewership.The Turkish producer said that what attracts the Turkish audience also tends to attract the international viewers and their focus has been on continuously raising the bar since the famous Turkish TV series Muhtesem Yuzyil (Magnificent Century), Resurrection: Ertugrul and Filinta.The past 15 years’ work has raised expectations regarding the quality of Turkish television production, he added.
Chile, Mexico, and Argentina stand out in the list of countries where Turkish TV series are very popular.
Ask-i Memnu, produced in 1975, was the first Turkish TV series exported. It was sold to France in 1981.
The final episode of the Gumus — dubbed in Arabic — gained 85 million audience in 2008.
The TV series Binbir Gece (1001 Nights) also gained great acclaim in 80 countries it aired in. It stands among the most popular TV series in Arabic countries such as Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, Morocco, and Algeria.
The popularity of Turkish TV series is beyond Turkic speaking countries, namely Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Albania, Poland, Serbia, Greece, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Hungary are just some of the European countries where they sit high in the ratings.
Earlier, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro posted on Twitter that he was following Dirilis Ertugrul. Famous footballer Lionel Messi was also seen watching Kara Para Ask in an Instagram post of him.
Turkey is among the first five countries exporting TV series through TV and online platforms alongside the U.S., Germany, France and the U.K.
Turkish TV series, available in online streaming platforms such as Netflix, puhutv, and YouTube, gain attention of younger generation easier, paving the way exportation.
Since entering the Turkish market in 2016, Netflix has acquired the streaming rights of many Turkish series, including Leyla ile Mecnun, Suskunlar, Karadayi and Ezel. The streaming giant also produced two Turkish Netflix Original series: Hakan: Muhafiz (The Protector) and Atiye (The Gift).
*Writing by Can Atalay