Turkey to Pay Producers up to $100,000 per Series for International Broadcasts

Turkey to Pay Producers up to $100,000 per Series for International Broadcasts

Turkey has launched a new government support program for TV series, offering production companies up to $100,000 per episode aired abroad.

The announcement was made by Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Minister of Culture and Tourism, during an event at the Atatürk Cultural Center in Istanbul.

The subsidy will be provided by the General Directorate of Cinema and the Tourism Promotion and Development Agency. Eligible projects must be sold in at least 10 countries across three continents and promote Turkey and the Turkish language internationally.

According to the minister, Turkish series are already watched by around 1 billion viewers in 170 countries, with exports exceeding $1 billion. Authorities view the industry as a key tool for cultural influence and tourism promotion.

"Turkish series are already watched by around 1 billion viewers in 170 countries, with exports exceeding $1 billion."

Payments are calculated based on the international episode format: while episodes in Turkey usually run around 120 minutes, abroad they are split into 40–45 minute segments. Producers can receive approximately $33,000 per segment, totaling up to $100,000 per episode.

Global standing: Turkey is now among the largest exporters of TV dramas, alongside the US and the UK. Hit series such as "Magnificent Century", "Resurrection: Ertugrul", and "Justice" have gained international popularity, airing in the Middle East, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Asia.

Screen tourism: Authorities are also promoting "screen tourism": viewers inspired by TV shows visit filming locations, learn Turkish, and even name their children after characters.

Global reach of Turkish dramas

• Viewership: Approximately 1 billion viewers in 170 countries.
• Export value: Exceeds $1 billion.
• Key regions: Middle East, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Asia.
• Hit series: "Magnificent Century", "Resurrection: Ertugrul", "Justice".

Payment structure: The subsidy is provided per international episode segment (40–45 minutes). With three segments per original Turkish episode (120 minutes), the maximum total reaches $100,000.

"Eligible projects must be sold in at least 10 countries across three continents and promote Turkey and the Turkish language internationally."

Market note: While Turkey now ranks among the top exporters alongside the US and UK, maintaining this position requires consistent quality and adaptation to diverse cultural markets.

The new incentive is expected to further boost the international presence of Turkish series, encouraging producers to target broader audiences and strengthen the country's soft power. The program is administered jointly by the General Directorate of Cinema and the Tourism Promotion and Development Agency.

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