Turkey announced this week a new support model that places Turkish television series at the center of its promotion and tourism strategy. Under the new system, productions broadcast abroad that meet certain criteria will be eligible for support of up to the equivalent of US $100,000 per episode, paid in Turkish liras.
Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, explained at a press conference held at the Atatürk Cultural Center in Istanbul that, thanks to the international success of its series, Türkiye is among the main exporters of television fiction worldwide. In this context, the minister presented an important government plan that places these productions at the core of Turkey’s international image and tourism promotion policy, as well as the measures planned to develop it.
In declarations collected by Turkish media, Ersoy pointed out that the Turkish series industry reaches almost one billion people in 170 countries all over the world, and that Türkiye has consolidated itself as one of the three biggest television powers in the world in terms of sales and exporting capacity of these productions. The minister stressed that many viewers feel the desire to travel to Turkey to see in person the places where the stories are set, so he stressed the need to harness this potential more effectively.
The head of Culture and Tourism explained that the government will support series that are already broadcast in numerous countries, for which factors such as their contribution to the promotion of Turkey, the dissemination of the Turkish language, whether the destination countries coincide with Turkey’s target tourist markets, the number of countries to which the TV series is exported, the total volume of sales, as well as audience and viewing data will be taken into account. “We will evaluate all these elements, and award grants based on them,” he said.
Turkey exported more than 300 Turkish series abroad in 2024 alone
According to the announced aid model, Turkish TV series that contribute to the promotion of the country and are broadcast on at least three continents and in 10 countries will be eligible for this support. Ersoy detailed that, for each episode broadcast abroad that meets the established criteria, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Agency will provide grants of up to the equivalent of US $100,000 in Turkish Liras.
The minister however reminded that while episodes of Turkish series usually last around 120 minutes in their domestic broadcast, abroad they are marketed in 40-45 minute chapters, so the calculation of the support will be based on the original duration. In practice, this means that for each episode broadcast outside the country, the government will grant a maximum support of about $33,000. The ministry will also facilitate the bureaucratic procedures related to filming locations, and will allow the free use of spaces under its control. In addition, it will seek to integrate Turkey’s historical, natural and gastronomic values into the content through product placement.
“Ultimately, we consider it essential to show, explain and make our culture and historical heritage known to the world in all its possible forms. That is the motive and objective of the measures we are taking,” the minister concluded by saying.
Industry representatives have enthusiastically welcomed this initiative, which they see as a key strategic step that could boost not only TV exports, but also other related sectors. In 2024 alone, Turkey exported more than 300 Turkish series abroad with estimated revenues of more than $500 million. With the Turkish government’s new incentive program, industry professionals see a new stage opening up in which Turkish soap operas will not only further expand their global reach, but also act as a powerful export promotion tool for the country’s economy as a whole.
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Edited and reviewed by:
Pablo Gómez is a specialist in Turkey and has been editor-in-chief of Hispanatolia since 2011. He has been analysing current affairs and geopolitics in Turkey and the surrounding region since 2006.
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