A TV Format in the Turkish market is defined as the structural and creative blueprint of a program—ranging from scripted “Dizi” (melodramas) to unscripted reality competitions—that can be licensed for local adaptation in international territories. Unlike a simple program sale, format licensing provides the production “bible,” including character arcs, technical specifications, and historical rating data from the domestic market.

In Turkey, the distinction between a “finished program” and a “format” has blurred as global buyers increasingly seek remake rights alongside original broadcasts. The primary value lies in the “proven concept” model, where Turkish formats have demonstrated high audience retention across culturally diverse markets like Latin America and MENA.

The Turkish television market is undergoing a structural metamorphosis, transitioning from a linear-dominant ecosystem to a centralized, digital-powered framework. In Q1 2025, over 73% of Turkish households consumed online content, driving a massive demand for smart televisions and OTT-compatible formats.

This shift has forced production companies like Ay Yapim and Med Yapim to develop “platform-native” formats that cater to shorter attention spans and global streaming standards.

While traditional “Dizi” remains the primary export, unscripted formats like the local version of “Survivor” (now in its ninth season) and “Utopya” continue to dominate prime-time ratings. The market is also seeing a surge in “micro-drama” formats—short-form scripted content designed for platforms like YouTube and Instagram, often functioning as high-impact tourism and lifestyle promotional tools.

Format licensing in Turkey is typically governed by a mix of copyright law and robust contractual agreements. Since abstract ideas are not always directly protected, producers rely on detailed “bibles” that contain the specific, creative expression of the format. Contracts usually specify territory, duration, and revenue-sharing models, with exclusive licenses commanding significantly higher fees due to market restrictions.

Current market prices for Turkish drama episodes range from $15,000 to $150,000, depending on the star power and domestic rating success. Acquisition leads must navigate the “repackaging” trend, where a single 120-minute Turkish episode is often split into three 40-minute segments for daily airing in Latin American or European markets, effectively tripling the inventory for the same licensing cost.

Traditional sourcing relies on manual research and personal networking, which often results in a “data deficit” for global buyers. Legacy databases frequently miss early-stage projects, forcing acquisition leads to be reactive to trade announcements rather than proactive in their strategy. This fragmentation creates a high-risk environment where buyers lack a “single source of truth” for due diligence on cross-border partners.

To overcome this, industry leaders are adopting supply chain intelligence platforms like Vitrina AI. By utilizing the Global Film+TV Projects Tracker, buyers can monitor Turkish projects as they enter the development pipeline, providing an “early-warning signal” for high-potential formats. This data-driven approach allows for the qualification of partners based on verifiable track records and relationship mapping across 140,000+ companies.

As subscription growth slows, major Turkish streamers are shifting toward hybrid, ad-supported business models. This has paved the way for “micro-moments” and personalized content experiences. One out of ten internet users in Turkey now watches “mini-dramas”—short-format scripted series produced specifically for digital-first audiences. These formats are increasingly used as soft-power instruments, promoting Turkish culture and tourism through narrative-driven episodes.

For acquisition leads, these micro-formats represent a lower-cost, high-engagement opportunity to test Turkish content with local audiences before committing to full-scale Dizi licensing. The integration of AI-powered localization tools, such as Lexi Voice and DeepDub, has further lowered the barrier for these formats to scale internationally at speed.

The Situation: A major European broadcaster was seeking high-concept Turkish unscripted formats to diversify its late-prime-time slot. Traditional trade show engagement yielded just 3 qualified leads per quarter, costing over €20,000 in travel and vetting time. “We were flying blind,” recalls their Head of Acquisition. “We knew the Turkish unscripted market was booming, but couldn’t identify active creators before they signed exclusivity deals.”

The Solution: The team adopted Vitrina’s Global Projects Tracker and VIQI AI Assistant in early 2025. Within two weeks, they identified 15 active unscripted production companies in Turkey with unreleased concepts. By week four, they had secured introductory calls with 10 of 15 targets—a 67% response rate compared to their previous 15%.

The Results: Within 90 days, the broadcaster secured two pilot agreements for innovative reality formats—deals that previously would have taken 12-18 months of manual networking. Qualitative wins included access to “rotational window” intelligence, allowing them to time their acquisition of high-value drama assets just as they exited platform exclusivity.