Turkish TV drama sector looks to extend its vast earnings in new season

Ceyhun Kuburlu ISTANBUL

The Turkish TV drama sector is looking forward to a record-busting season with much-anticipated new shows starting to air as September begins.

The 45 production companies actively operating in the Turkish TV series industry - which has been growing every year in terms of production and technical capacity - have collectively set their eyes on attaining a turnover of 850 million Turkish Liras over the next twelve months.

Approximately 80 original shows are broadcast on Turkish TV stations every year and around 15,000 make a living from the sector.

Turkey’s most popular TV series, “Muhteşem Yüzyıl” (The Magnificent Century), has reached hundreds of millions around the world, and was the highest-earning production last year, raking in 36.7 million liras of turnover. The series bid farewell to its audiences in June, but producers are hopeful of new shows that will meet the audiences throughout September.

“Kurtlar Vadisi” (Valley of the Wolves), which will continue its journey this season in its new home station Kanal D, ranked second last year with a turnover of 34.8 million liras.

“The sector is growing each year with its drama stories, actors, music, decors and costumes,” Producers Association Head Birol Güven has said.

“I expect the drama sector, which contributes to our country’s promotion, to grow around 12 percent,” he stated.

The Turkish drama sector, which is rising in prominence in the international market, has recently drawn considerable interest from audiences around the world, particularly in the Middle East, the Balkans and Central Asia. It has also scored some successes in South America.

Güven also highlighted that the growing sector is improving itself in terms of quality as well quantity.

“The series that used to be produced hastily are now produced over the course of two-year preparation periods,” he said.

Infographic: Sertaç Bala