Middle Eastern media group MBC has acquired the Turkish drama “Golden Boy” from Eccho Rights, to air on free-to-air channel MBC4 and SVOD platform Shahid. The show will premiere on October 30 on MBC4, becoming the first Turkish drama on free-to-air TV in MENA since 2018, when a blanket ban on Turkish content was implemented by linear broadcasters throughout the region following political tensions between Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
“We are delighted to see the re-opening of this vital market. Audiences in the MENA region were among the first to embrace Turkish drama internationally and to be able to serve them the latest and best content again is really exciting,” said Melis Hamamcioglu, Director of Digital Media Acquisition & Content Sales MENA, Israel & India at Eccho Rights.
Produced by OGM Pictures, “Golden Boy,” which premiered in late September on Star TV, has grown its audience in Turkey for each week of its broadcast, scoring more than 10% rating for its latest episode with a 27% share. The series is now Turkey’s most watched across the entire week.
“‘Golden Boy’ is proving hugely popular with domestic audiences, and has all the hallmarks to succeed worldwide. A classical family drama, with two opposing families brought together by impossible love, and a revenge story that threatens to pull apart the central romance,” commented Handan Özkubat, Director of Turkish Drama at Eccho Rights.
“Golden Boy” is a classic family drama which tells the story of two sisters, Seyran and Suna, whose paths cross with Ferit. The two sisters’ lives change forever when Ferit decides to marry Seyran instead of Suna. Seyran will be the new bride in a family full of betrayals, lies and secrets, while Suna will start making revenge plans to get back her stolen future. The series stars Afra Saraoğlu, Mert Ramazan Demir and Çetin Tekindor.