According to Turkish Professor Savaş Arslan (2021), TV in Turkey began in 1952 with İTÜ TV, a pioneering station established by Istanbul Technical University, making it the first TV broadcaster in the country and among the earliest in Europe. İTÜ TV operated experimentally, focusing on educational and cultural content, but its limited reach and resources delayed widespread adoption of TV. Nationwide broadcasting began in 1968 with the establishment of the Turkish Radio and TV Corporation (TRT), which held a state-run monopoly until the 1990s. Early TRT programming emphasized news, education, and culture, reflecting its nation-building mission. (Arslan, 2021) The market expanded in the 1990s with the advent of private broadcasters like Star TV and Kanal D, which prioritized entertainment-driven programming. Over time, the concept of “quality TV,” marked by cinematic storytelling and complex narratives, has shaped the industry, aligning Turkish series with global standards (Verza, 2018). This evolution has positioned Turkey as the second-largest exporter of TV content worldwide, with its dramas captivating audiences across the Middle East, Latin America, Europe, and beyond. (Arslan, 2021) The combination of traditional storytelling with modern production techniques continues to define Turkish TV’s success on the world stage.
The rise in international demand for Turkish dramas, combined with the expansion of cable, digital, online, and OTT (over-the-top) platforms, has fueled the industry’s growth. TRT has remained popular for its wide range of content, offering channels like TRT 1 for general programming and TRT 2 for arts and culture, alongside private broadcasters such as Kanal D, Show TV, ATV, and Star TV. However, the rise of digital platforms is transforming consumption habits. Local services like BluTV and Exxen cater to domestic tastes, while international platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube are widely accessible and increasingly popular, especially among younger audiences seeking on-demand content (Arslan, 2021). The infrastructure supporting this ecosystem still includes terrestrial broadcasting but is dominated by satellite services like Digiturk and D-Smart, cable networks in urban areas, and internet streaming (Verza, 2018). While traditional broadcast and cable channels still dominate viewership, particularly among older demographics, OTT platforms are steadily gaining traction due to their convenience and variety. This dynamic interplay between enduring traditional media and rapidly expanding digital platforms highlights Turkey’s adaptation to global trends in TV and media consumption.