Turner Broadcasting to cease operations of Turkish unit

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

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Turner Broadcasting System Inc. will cease the business operations of its TNT Turkey channel with immediate effect, the company announced yesterday in written statement.

The channel itself will continue broadcasting, with amended scheduling, until further notice.

TNT Turkey has not performed and grown according to its business plan, the statement said, adding that this led to a thorough business review, “which concluded with this carefully considered decision.”

“We are grateful to the TNT Turkey team, which includes some of the most talented and creative people in the Turkish media industry. We are offering the maximum support possible to all affected employees
during this difficult time,” the company said.

The Cartoon Network and CNNTürk channels will continue to operate as usual.

“The company remains committed to future investments in Turkey and to its longstanding and valued relationship with Doğan TV, which began with the establishment of CNNTürk in 1999,” the statement said.

Turner will continue to explore expansion opportunities in Turkey, which it deems an “important market.”