Booming Turkish TV drama industry captures hearts and minds worldwide and boosts tourism

Turkey has emerged as a leading exporter of television dramas, bolstering the nation’s international image and drawing millions of viewers and tourists to its historical and cultural sites which are backdrops to many of the shows. Their success has fueled a burgeoning billion-dollar industry. Experts say the industry is also greatly enhancing Turkey’s soft power on a global scale. A leading analytics firm says the global demand for Turkish series increased by 184% between 2020 and 2023. Markets include the United States, Canada, Greece, India and Pakistan. Haley Uganadi, the founder of a fan platform called “Dizilah,” says the appeal of the dramas comes from themes that focus on family, friendship, and love.