Turkish series in the top 3 in the world market What is the secret behind it?

Turkish television series have emerged as a new cultural force in the last decade amid the crowd of Hollywood action, Korean romance, or Latin American melodrama. Turkish series are now hugely popular in more than a hundred countries around the world due to their emotional stories, historical background, family values, and unique blend of tradition and modernity. According to international analysts, Turkey is now ranked after the United States and the United Kingdom in terms of popularity.

* Turkey's rise in the world market

Once upon a time, productions from the United States, the United Kingdom, or South Korea were the main attraction for viewers in the international television arena. But Turkey has quickly changed that picture. A report published in the international magazine The Economist mentioned that according to statistics from data analysis company Parrot Analytics, Turkey is now the third largest power in the world, surpassing many countries, including South Korea, in the popularity of scripted television series. Millions of viewers in the Middle East, South Asia, Europe, Latin America and Africa regularly watch Turkish series. As a result, not only the entertainment industry, but also the culture and language of Turkey are getting new recognition worldwide.

* Historical series that have caused a stir around the world

► Muhtesem Yuzil-Sultan Suleiman: This series, which began broadcasting in 2011, is considered the biggest success of Turkish historical dramas. It highlights the lives of Ottoman Emperor Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and Hurrem Sultan. The series has been broadcast in more than 70 countries and has reached more than 500 million viewers. According to many analysts, this drama paved the way for the explosive rise of Turkish series in the international market.

► Dirilis-Ertugrul: This series based on the life of Ertugrul Gazi, the father of Osman Gazi, the founder of the Ottoman Empire, began broadcasting in 2014. Outside of Turkey, it is widely popular in Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, the Middle East and Central Asia. The series, which combines war, leadership, justice and Islamic values, also attracts a large audience on digital platforms and creates a new identity for Turkish historical dramas internationally.

► Kurulus-Osman: This series, created as a continuation of ‘Dirilis: Ertugrul’, highlights the story of the rule and empire-building of Osman Gazi, the founder of the Ottoman Empire. After it began broadcasting in 2019, it was broadcast in various countries around the world and also gained popularity on international streaming platforms.

► Alparsalan-Buuk Seljuk: This series, based on the life and military campaigns of Alparsalan, the famous ruler of the Seljuk Empire, has created special interest among history lovers. War, strategy and the expansion of the medieval Islamic empire are dominant in it.

► Vanish-Buk Seljuk: This series, which tells the story of the political foresight, intrigue and state management of the Seljuk Sultan Malik Shah and the famous statesman Nizamul Mulk, also attracts the attention of international viewers.

► Magnificent Century-Kosem: It is commonly known in Bengali as ‘Sultan Suleiman: Kösem’. Anastasia, a slave girl of the Ottoman Empire, later became Kösem Sultan, the wife of Sultan Ahmed I. Through intelligence, political strategy and power struggles, she became one of the most influential women in the empire. Love, intrigue, politics and the struggle for the survival of the dynasty are the main themes of this historical series.

* Emotion is the greatest power

The biggest feature of Turkish series is the deep and realistic presentation of human emotions. In it, love, family ties, sacrifice, jealousy, power struggles, betrayal or spiritual quest - every emotion is highlighted as an integral part of the story. These emotions are not just for dramatization; rather, they are connected to the development of characters and the reality of life, and have a deep impact on the audience.

Turkish filmmaker Murat Pay told The Economist, "Poetry and human feelings are so deeply rooted in Turkish culture that even if there is no religious or historical context, those emotions naturally express themselves in the stories. And that is precisely why people from different languages ​​and cultures around the world find their similarities in these stories."

* The combination of history and modernity

Another great strength of popular Turkish series is the balance of modern lifestyle with tradition. The characters wear modern clothes, live a contemporary life; but at the same time, they give importance to family, morality, social responsibility and cultural roots. As a result, the audience sees a reflection of modernity and tradition at the same time. The country's screenwriter and producer Emre Avsar refers to these values ​​as 'Anatolian wisdom'. According to him, respect for parents, family responsibilities, social etiquette and moral boundaries are one of the foundations of Turkish stories.

* A different picture of Muslim society

According to experts, Turkish series present a positive and humane picture of Muslim society and Islam to international audiences, which is rarely seen in Western cinema. Religious values ​​are presented here not through harsh propaganda; but through humane behaviors such as family relationships, responsibility, compassion and self-sacrifice. As a result, viewers of different religions and cultures can easily connect with these stories.

* Why are they so close to foreign viewers

The Economist posed this exact question to viewers from different countries. In response, Aiza Rafi, a viewer from Lahore, Pakistan, said, 'The Turkish series has a lot in common with family values ​​and social customs in Pakistani society. So these