Turkey exports TV serials to more than 90 countries, as second-largest soap opera exporter after US
Turkey's TV industry has become one of the largest business sectors, as it exports serials to nearly 100 countries.
Producers, musicians and other experts related to Turkey's soap opera say foreigners' interest in Turkey's TV serials is increasing dramatically.
Years ago, the Balkans were the main market for Turkish soaps. Now the Arab world is the biggest market and Latin America is second.
For example, “Magnificent Century," a period drama about the life of Ottoman Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent and his powerful wife, aired in 47 countries and was watched by over 200 million people.
“Forbidden Love," “The Valley of the Wolves," and “Ezel" are among the most popular Turkish soaps in the Arab world. The programs are all dubbed into the target market's languages.
“One Thousand and One Nights," a drama about a single woman's moral dilemma, aired in 64 countries; and “What Is Fatmagül's Fault?," a mega serial about a rape victim who takes her perpetrators to court, aired in 37 countries.
In Turkey, there are 85 privately owned production companies churning out episodes that cost between $200,000 and $700,000 to make.
According to a Turkish Exporters Assembly data, Turkey is the second-largest TV drama exporter in the world, after the United States.
Turkey aims to increase the volume of the country's cultural product exports to $2 billion by 2023.
The Turkish TV industry has become a major economic force in Middle Eastern, southern European and Latin American countries.
There is evidence that Turkish soaps influence tourism, as fans become interested in the settings of their favorite shows and travel to see them for themselves.
Film and drama producer Şükrü Avşar said that Turkey earns nearly $250 million per year from this sector.
“Almost 130 Turkish TV dramas have been exported and watched by more than 400 million people around the world," Film Director Birol Güven said.
