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Türkiye’s TV networks and drama producers are weighing deep cost reductions, including shorter episodes and caps on star salaries, after advertising revenue fell in October to its lowest level in 30 years.
Networks have asked producers to cut production costs by 25%, according to industry reports, as mounting losses force broadcasters to rethink how Türkiye’s globally popular television dramas are made and paid for.
At a recent meeting, network and production company representatives began working on a joint response to the downturn.
Production is the networks’ biggest expense, and producers have been asked to absorb much of the cut.
Turkish dramas are among the most expensive productions, with per-episode costs ranging from ₺27 million ($545,000) to ₺40 million.
Producers have countered the networks’ demand with proposals to lower those costs.
Under one plan, episodes that now run as long as 140 minutes would be fixed at 110 minutes. Episodes would also be built so they no longer need the final commercial break to be complete.
Shorter running times would also remove the need for second film crews, which many productions hire to finish episodes in time for their weekly broadcast. Ending that practice is expected to save on staffing costs.
The industry is also preparing to rein in actor compensation, a major driver of budgets. Pay for top actors, including extra payments and bonuses, has reached as much as ₺5 million per week.
Industry representatives have agreed that such payments will no longer be covered.
Under the planned industry-wide approach, networks and producers would refuse to work, on new or existing projects, with actors who do not accept the requested reductions. That option remains under discussion.
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