Ankara: After gaining popularity in nearly 140 countries and growing into a global industry worth more than $1 billion, Turkish television dramas are now setting their sights on China’s vast entertainment market.
Over the past two decades, Turkish stories centred on love, betrayal, family and power have spread across the Middle East, Latin America, Europe and Asia.
Their growing popularity has transformed Türkiye’s television industry into a major cultural export worth more than $1 billion.
According to a news agency report, Turkish dramas have also introduced international audiences to the country’s food, clothing, language and everyday customs, while their popularity has been linked to growing interest in Türkiye as a tourist destination.
A senior official at Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism described this cultural influence as one of the industry’s biggest achievements.
The official said Turkish dramas effectively serve as an invitation to visit the country, with viewers often developing an interest in travelling to Türkiye after watching its television series.
Research among international audiences has also found that Turkish dramas have increased interest in the country’s culture and language, as well as encouraging more viewers to consider visiting Türkiye.
According to the official, “Turkish drama” has itself become a global brand, giving the country’s television productions a distinct identity in international markets.
Despite their success elsewhere, Turkish dramas have yet to establish a significant presence in China, one of the world’s largest television markets.
Breaking into China could give Turkish producers access to millions of new viewers, particularly audiences with an appetite for long-form television dramas.
Chinese productions currently dominate the country’s domestic market, while Korean dramas also have a substantial fan base.
Kerem Çatay, CEO of leading Turkish production company Ay Yapım, told a Turkish news agency that Latin America and the Middle East remain the biggest overseas markets for Turkish dramas.
However, producers are now looking towards China in search of an even larger audience. Çatay said succeeding in the Chinese market would require significant effort and a strong understanding of local viewers’ interests and preferences.
