# Global expansion of Turkish television industry

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/global-expansion-of-turkish-television-industry
> Updated: 2026-08-29T01:00:00.000Z. Sources: 20. Developments: 2.

Turkish officials have reported that the country’s television industry has achieved a massive global reach, with series reaching approximately 1 billion viewers across nearly 170 countries. This growth has positioned Turkey as one of the world’s top three exporters of television content, with export values rising from roughly $10 million in the early 2000s to over $1 billion.

Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy and Burhanettin Duran, Head of the Directorate of Communications, emphasized the industry’s role in cultural diplomacy and ‘screen tourism.’ The popularity of these productions drives international interest in the Turkish language, cuisine, and historical sites. Data from the Yunus Emre Institute and RTÜK suggests that 81 percent of 5,000 foreign participants learning Turkish began their studies after watching Turkish series.

To support this sector, the government has introduced new policies. These include removing seasonal broadcasting requirements for aid, allowing support to be based on individual episodes and digital viewership, and permitting production companies to receive support for multiple projects.

## Claims

- Turkish television series reach an audience of approximately 1 billion people across nearly 170 countries. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Turkey ranks among the top three global exporters of television series. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The requirement for a television series to have completed at least one season to qualify for government support has been removed. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Government support for television productions will now be evaluated on an episode-by-episode basis. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- A single production company is now permitted to receive support for multiple different projects. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Turkish series exports have grown from approximately $10 million in the early 2000s to over $1 billion today. (single source)
- A field study by Yunus Emre Institute and RTÜK found that 81 percent of 5,000 foreign Turkish language learners began learning through Turkish series. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-29: Turkish television series reach 1 billion global viewers

Turkish television series now reach 1 billion viewers in 170 countries, with exports exceeding $1 billion. New government policies aim to further support the industry and promote Turkish culture and tourism.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkish-television-series-reach-1-billion-global-viewers

### 2026-08-26: Turkish TV series reach 1 billion viewers globally

Turkish TV series have reached 1 billion viewers in 170 countries, driving significant cultural diplomacy and tourism. Officials announced new industry supports to bolster Turkey's global narrative power.

14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkey-to-host-global-summit-on-the-impact-of-turkish-tv-series

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Cite as: Global expansion of Turkish television industry. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/global-expansion-of-turkish-television-industry