Already enjoying global popularity with exports to around 170 countries every year, Turkish TV series have now set their sights on a new destination: China, Anadolu Agency writes.

Fatih Aksoy, the head of entertainment and cultural services at the Services Exporter Association, told Anadolu that Turkish series contribute to the growth of the tourism sector, as well as other industries, as they are exported to so many countries.

Aksoy said that emotions are very prominent in Turkish series, and that they tend to be more family-friendly, which makes them more popular worldwide.

Turkish series are in high demand in Latin America, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and in Africa, as well as in countries such as Russia, Portugal, and Spain, he said.

Now the next destination for the Turkish series is the Chinese market, he said, voicing certainty that they will do well there.

Aksoy underlined that six television channels in Türkiye broadcast series during their primetime, and that each channel orders 10 to 12 series a year, amounting to 60 to 70 series made annually.

Among those that are successful, he said that it turns out that the series with male leads sell less than those with female leads.

Aksoy stated that the perception of Turkish series in Türkiye is a lot different than in other countries since the foreign audience gets to see the most successful series.

“They think Turkish people make great series, however, people in Türkiye get to see both the good and the bad, therefore, the perception in Türkiye is different,” he said.

“The foreign audience inevitably has a high perception because they get to see the best series, as eight to 10 Turkish series are sold to 170 countries every year,” he added.

Aksoy highlighted that the cost per episode of a series is around $300,000 and that producers earn with foreign sales.

He mentioned that series, such as Blooming Lady (Bahar) and Yargi: Family Secrets see high demand.

“A Turkish series has the potential to reach 800 million viewers worldwide, and series are sold as seasons, and the export figure varies depending on the country and the project; some series go for $100.000, some for $300.000,” he said.

“Magnificent Century and Forbidden Apple series are probably the ones that generate the most revenue, both because of the high number of episodes and, that they have been sold to so many countries,” he added.

Aksoy noted that Turkish series have had a positive impact on the perception of the country, saying: “The US focused on movies and became a world empire in the field, as its movie industry has become very successful, though its series industry, not so much anymore, since Türkiye has largely taken its place, with the prevalence of Turkish series surpassing American series, even if the US exports more movies and series.”

“No matter how much one talks negatively about Türkiye, people sit down and watch Turkish series, and think, ‘I read or heard something about Türkiye today, it doesn’t make sense, the Turks are seemingly having a good time,’” he added.