Turkey ranks second in TV series exports: Minister

By Emin Avundukluoglu

ANKARA (AA) – Turkey’s Culture and Tourism Minister said Thursday that Turkey ranks second in television series exports after the U.S.

Speaking to Parliament's Planning and Budget Committee, Numan Kurtulmus said they attached importance to exports of Turkish television series.

"Turkey ranks second place in exports of television series after the U.S.," said Kurtulmus, adding 48 percent of Turkey watches domestic films while Turkish films rank first place in Europe.

Popular Turkish TV series have been exported to over 200 countries, contributing to a boom in the country’s domestic television industry.

Turkish TV series' success abroad -- from the Middle East to the Balkans, from eastern Europe to Latin America -- started five years ago with Binbir Gece, whose plot centers on a single mother with a sick 5-year-old son who seeks a loan from her smitten boss.

Another successful series is The Magnificent Century starring Halit Ergenc, which focuses on the life of 16th century Ottoman Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent.

The show proved hugely popular both in Turkey and in Eastern Europe, where it is being broadcast in 70 countries and watched by over 250 million people.

According to the Turkish Film Producers Professional Association, last year, the government granted 30 million Turkish liras ($7.7 million) for 200 film-related projects in the country and this year is expected to grant twice that amount.