ISTANBUL: Turkish television series now reach more than one billion viewers across over 170 countries, placing Türkiye among the world’s three largest exporters of television productions, officials said on Friday.
Türkiye’s Communications Directorate highlighted the industry’s growing international influence during an Istanbul event titled The Global Narrative of the Türkiye Brand: Turkish TV Series.
Head of Communications Burhanettin Duran said Türkiye’s television exports had risen dramatically from around $10 million in the early 2000s to more than $1 billion.
Moreover, Duran said Turkish productions had brought the country closer to international audiences by presenting its stories, culture and society inside homes worldwide.
Turkish Productions Strengthen Country’s Global Image
Duran rejected suggestions that the international expansion of Turkish television represented cultural hegemony. Instead, he described its success as evidence of Türkiye’s ability to develop its own narratives and communicate them across different societies.
Meanwhile, Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said television productions had become a strategic national asset extending far beyond their direct economic contribution.
According to Ersoy, international audiences increasingly research Turkish filming locations while developing greater interest in the country’s language, cuisine, culture and tourist destinations.
Türkiye Expands Support for Television Industry
Furthermore, Ersoy announced changes to government support programmes for television producers.
Authorities have removed the requirement for productions to complete one broadcast season before becoming eligible for assistance. Instead, officials can now assess support episode by episode, while multiple projects from the same production company can qualify.
Productions shown in at least 10 countries across three continents will undergo assessment based on exports, ratings, digital viewing figures and their contribution to Türkiye’s international promotion.
Additionally, Ersoy said eight promotional productions launched since June 2025 had generated 30 billion impressions and 5.5 billion views.
The government now aims to combine Türkiye’s global television reach with its established position as a major international tourism destination.
