Turkish Dizi Exports and Ratings Wars — 2026-10-07
ATV is facing a severe ratings crisis with three series, including the star-studded *A.B.İ.*, cancelled within weeks of their 2026-27 season premiere. Meanwhile, the industry gears up for MIPCOM 2026 (Oct 12-15) with a focus on securing international sales to offset high domestic production costs.
Turkish Dizi Exports and Ratings Wars — 2026-10-07
Top developments
ATV Cancels A.B.İ. and Mercan Köşk After Poor Ratings
The Turkish channel ATV has confirmed the early cancellation of three new series launched in the 2026-27 season: A.B.İ., Aşk ve Taht, and Mercan Köşk. A.B.İ., which starred Kenan İmirzalıoğlu and Bergüzar Korel, ended with its 23rd episode on October 6, 2026, after failing to sustain audience interest in its second season. Similarly, Mercan Köşk, starring Kubilay Aka and Hafsanur Sancaktutan, will conclude in its 7th episode due to low viewership. These cancellations highlight the intense pressure on Turkish broadcasters to cut underperforming content quickly, impacting production houses that invested heavily in these projects.
Inter Medya’s Halef Marks First Turkish Title on Disney+ MENA
Inter Medya’s series Halef has become the first Turkish title to launch on Disney+ MENA, signaling a significant shift in distribution strategies for Turkish dramas in the Middle East and North Africa region. This deal underscores the growing importance of global streaming platforms in Turkish dizi exports, moving beyond traditional linear TV sales. For producers, this represents a new revenue stream and potential for higher per-episode licensing fees compared to traditional broadcasters in the region.
MIPCOM 2026: Turkey Focuses on Winning International Buyers
From October 12 to 15, 2026, Turkey’s major production houses will converge at MIPCOM in Cannes to pitch their latest dramas to international buyers. The focus this year is on "winning hearts and wallets" of TV buyers by balancing compelling narratives with business savvy, especially as domestic production costs rise due to inflation. With the industry having surpassed $1 billion in exports recently, MIPCOM remains a critical venue for locking in deals that sustain the sector’s global expansion.
Local view
Local media outlets like Medyafaresi and Onedio are closely tracking the "ratings wars" between channels, noting that Tuzlu Kahve maintained its top position across all categories on October 6, while other new entries struggled. Milli Gazete reported that the early final of A.B.İ. was primarily driven by declining ratings in its second season, with no detailed official reason provided by the channel. The local press emphasizes the financial risks for actors and production crews when shows are axed after only a few episodes.
Context & numbers
- Export Revenue: Turkish TV series exports exceeded $1 billion, reaching over 1 billion viewers in more than 170 countries.
- Market Position: Türkiye is the third-largest exporter of TV series globally, behind the US and UK, with a 184% surge in demand in recent years.
- Production Costs: Rising inflation continues to pressure production budgets, making international sales crucial for profitability.
On the radar
- MIPCOM 2026: Key dates are October 12-15, 2026, where major Turkish distributors like Inter Medya, ITV Studios, and others will announce new global partnerships.
- Streaming Shifts: Watch for further moves by Turkish producers to partner with global streamers like Netflix and Disney+ to bypass traditional broadcast limitations and secure higher-value contracts.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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