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Türkiye’s television drama industry, whose sweeping romances and family sagas have captivated audiences worldwide, is under growing financial strain.
The cost of making a single episode of a major series has climbed to as much as ₺25 million ($516,000), according to a daily Türkiye report.
The report said the number of dramas airing on Turkish television has fallen by roughly 40% over the past three years, even as popular current shows such as “Tuzlu Kahve,” “Omur Usta,” “Sevdan Bir Ates,” and “Tasacak Bu Deniz” continue to draw large audiences.
Part of the problem is the squeeze on advertising. The report says traditional television's share of the advertising market has slipped to about 18%.
That makes it harder for broadcasters to fund high-budget productions, which depend heavily on ad income to turn a profit.
Producer Cemil Yavuz told the newspaper that the pandemic changed the balance between broadcast television and streaming platforms. Viewers who once waited a full week for the next episode of a favorite show, he said, have grown used to watching whenever they like.
Exchange-rate swings have also pushed up costs, Yavuz said. Many production expenses are tied to foreign currencies.
The slowdown at home coincides with changes abroad. Turkish series were once exported to dozens of countries and became a significant source of cultural influence and foreign revenue.
But Yavuz said several Middle Eastern countries have been prioritizing their own domestic productions, which has weighed on Turkish exports.
He stressed that the shake-up is not confined to Türkiye. The television business is going through a transformation worldwide as audiences, advertisers, and platforms adapt to new viewing habits.
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