Turkish Dizi Exports and Ratings Wars — 2026-10-21
Turkish television is facing a harsh early-season reality, with five series canceling within the first month due to poor ratings, including three from ATV. Meanwhile, international distributors like MediaHub are leveraging classic hits to secure global deals, positioning Turkey as a dominant force in global TV exports despite domestic volatility.
Turkish Dizi Exports and Ratings Wars — 2026-10-21
Top developments
Ratings Collapse Triggers Early Cancellations In a dramatic start to the 2026-2027 season, five Turkish series have received cancellation orders within the first month. ATV accounts for three of these cancellations, including A.B.İ., Aşk ve Taht, and Mercan Köşk, while Star TV’s Çirkin and NOW’s Sevdam Karadeniz also faced early endings. Sevdam Karadeniz notably dropped to 1.84 in the Total ratings on its second episode, signaling a rapid loss of audience interest despite high expectations.
MediaHub Pushes Classics for Global Sales Distributor MediaHub is focusing on proven international titles to secure export deals, showcasing Roses, Close to You, and Take My Hand at MIPCOM. Elif Turna of MediaHub emphasized that "classic Turkish dramas continue to connect with international audiences," highlighting a strategy that prioritizes established hits over risky new ventures in the export market.
Eccho Rights Expands US and African Footprint Distributor Eccho Rights has expanded its Turkish drama slate by closing deals with Pasiones and Red Head Global for eight series. These agreements cover distribution across the United States, South Africa, and Namibia, indicating a continued strong demand for Turkish content in diverse global markets.
Local view
Local media outlets are closely monitoring the "ratings war" between major channels, with Onedio reporting that the competition has become fierce, leading to rapid cancellations for underperforming shows. TGRT Haber notes that the primary reason for these early finals is the inability to sustain viewer interest in a crowded schedule, with Sevdam Karadeniz cited as a prime example of a series that failed to secure a foothold after its premiere. Diziler.com reported that on October 19, Altı Üstü İstanbul took the top spot in Total ratings, while Uzak Şehir followed closely, showing that audience loyalty remains fragmented.
Context & numbers
While specific export revenue figures for the current week are not available, recent industry data contextualizes the high stakes of these domestic battles. Turkey’s television industry has historically generated over $500 million in annual exports, with some reports citing figures exceeding $1 billion in recent years as the sector reaches nearly 170 countries. The current domestic volatility highlights the pressure on production houses to deliver immediate ratings success to sustain the export pipeline.
On the radar
- MIPCOM Aftermath: Industry watchers are looking for concrete sales announcements from MediaHub’s showcase of Roses and Close to You following their MIPCOM presentations.
- ATV’s Next Move: With three cancellations already logged, ATV’s programming strategy for the remainder of the season will be scrutinized for signs of further shifts or new pilot orders.
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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