The global appetite for Turkish dramas continues to grow, propelled by companies such as Inter Medya, which has extended the reach and influence of Turkish content worldwide. Can Okan, Founder and CEO, and Pelin Koray, Senior Sales, Acquisition, and Strategy Manager, shared their insights with Señal News on how Turkish productions are captivating international audiences and breaking into new territories, including Asia.
Okan highlighted Inter Medya's current projects, including "Love and Pride" and "Valley of Hearts." "'Love and Pride' has finished shooting and is in the final post-production stages, set to be completed by the end of the month," Okan shared. Meanwhile, "Valley of Hearts," produced by Tims&B Productions, promises to be a global hit. "We have very strong hopes that it will be sold widely across international markets," he said.
Meanwhile, Pelin Koray celebrated a historic milestone for Inter Medya: the licensing of "Love Undercover" ("Ruhunu Duymaz") for a remake in Korea. "This marks the first time a Turkish format has been acquired for a remake in Korea. It's a significant moment for Turkish content in the international market," she explained.
Okan emphasized the significance of staying true to the core themes of Turkish dramas while exploring new formats. "Family issues, love triangles, and classical Monte Cristo-type stories are the salt and pepper of Turkish content," he said. Koray highlighted the challenges of adapting Turkish content for Asian markets, where shorter series formats are preferred. "Turkish dramas are often considered too long for East Asian viewing preferences," she noted. With "Love Undercover," which has 28 international-length episodes, Koray sees an opportunity to bridge this gap. "It requires less script revision and offers an excellent starting point for adaptation," she explained.
THE RISE OF DIGITAL AND MINI-SERIES
Okan shared insights into the growing demand for mini-series produced for OTT platforms. "Mini-series are faster paced, much bolder, and even sexier. On subscription-based platforms, you can explore themes like violence or nudity more freely," he said. Koray added that the rise of digital platforms in Southeast Asia has significantly altered viewing habits. "Most TV broadcasters are moving away from traditional television and focusing on licensing digital rights," she explained. Inter Medya has adapted its business model, offering flexible licensing agreements catering to digital-first audiences.
Looking ahead, Okan and Koray are optimistic about the future of Turkish content. Okan sees the ongoing production of high-quality dramas as a cornerstone of Inter Medya's global strategy. "We love our work and are committed to making Turkish dramas a global phenomenon," he said.
Koray emphasized the significance of licensing Turkish movies to new regions. "We recently licensed a mini-series to Thailand's Monomax platform, the first-ever content license from Turkey to Thailand," she said. "Breaking into these markets allows us to pave the way for future deals." Expanding Turkish storytelling into Asia is a professional and personal passion for her. "I'm constantly amazed at how far Turkish content travels to places like China, Taiwan, and Thailand. These regions are starting to embrace Turkish storytelling, and it's an honor to witness that firsthand," she concluded.