Önay Devrim, Sales Executive for CEE and Baltics at Kanal D International _08
DEEPLY PERSONAL AND UNIVERSALLY RELATABLE
Aslı Serim, Head of Sales at Calinos Entertainment _12
INTERVIEWS
CONNECTING WITH THE RIGHT PARTNERS
Selim Türkmen, Director of Sales and Business Developement at Hacıyatmaz Group _20
ARTICLES
SIC INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION EMOTIONAL AND ENTICING DRAMAS _10
INTER MEDYA A WHIRLWIND OF EMOTIONS _14
OGM UNIVERSE BOW TO THE KING _18
OMDIA DIGI EXPANDS WITH A DISRUPTIVE STRATEGY _24
PUBLIC BROADCASTERS RISE TO THE OCCASION _05
PRODUCTION
PUBLIC BROADCASTERS RISE TO THE OCCASION
With streamers’ budgets collapsing amidst sharp restructures, European public broadcasters are banding together to keep premium drama content flowing through the region.
The rapid international growth of international platforms that sought to imitate Netflix’s success has come -in many cases- to a screeching halt, leaving the TV business looking for outlets for the creativity and production boom that was created during its fast development.
To answer these new context, European public broadcasters are working together, taking advantage of previously created alliances, to commission the new generation of premium content.
As detailed in a report by Deadline, the drama collectives include The Alliance (France Télévisions, Italy’s Rai and Germany’s ZDF),
the Nordic Twelve, and the New8, comprised of Belgium’s VRT, Denmark’s DR, Finland’s YLE, Germany’s ZDF, Iceland’s RUV, Netherlands’ NPO, Norway’s NRK and Sweden’s SVT.
Among the series in development are ‘Kabul’, a project that sees New9 join forces with The Alliance, ‘Pieces of Eight’, ‘Breendonk’, ‘Phoenix’, ‘The Machine’, ‘Henki’, Cold Song’, ‘Generations’, ‘Death of a Horse’, ‘The Dark Ones’ and ‘This is Not a Murder Mystery’.
“I think the model of the New8 or Nordic 12 can be present in different areas in Europe and also South America. You can adapt it to your own region,” said Jarmo Lampela, Head of Drama at YLE, interviewed by Deadline during the recent Seriencamp.
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SHOWCASING ITS CREATIVE POWER
The international success of its dramas -with the sale of current hits like ‘Secret or Pearls’ or its library titles, even as formats- makes Kanal D International a huge player in CEE and MENA, regions where it’s also looking to growth as a movie distributor.
By Luis Cabrera lcabrera@todotv.tv
An all-encompassing approach has seen Kanal D International (KDI) go from success to success in the CEE region, powered by the great performance of titles like ‘Secret of Pearls’, the depth of their library, the proven success of their titles’ format adaptations, and a growing catalogue of highly attractive feature films.
“We’ve had a very active first half of the year,” points out Önay Devrim, Sales Executive for CEE and Baltics at KDI. “In the CEE region, our new titles continue to air with full power. As our series perform strongly, we are licensing their second seasons too. For example; ‘Secret of Pearls’ will continue to air with it’s second season in Lithuania, Serbia, Albania and Kosovo and more to come.”
‘Secret of Pearls’ has been a huge success, both locally and internationally, since its debut. Its second season came to an end on May 15th with yet another strong showing across all the demos.
“We are also continuing with our library sales in CEE (and), in MENA, our classical dramas continue to attract attention and we’ve just closed a significant deal,” added the executive.
What do you expect from ‘Crazy for Love’ in these upcoming months? We are very
optimistic about ‘Crazy for Love’. Although we don’t have many movies in our catalogue, it is a great addition to existing rom-coms. It’s lighthearted tone, relatable characters and feel-good storytelling offer a perfect escape for audiences - especially in times when viewers are seeking more uplifting content.
How are you finding the market for romantic comedies like this one? Romantic comedies are gaining renewed interest in the CEE and Baltics, particularly among younger-skewing platforms and niche female-oriented broadcasters. ‘ Crazy in Love’ has already sparked interest in several markets, and we are confident it will resonate well.
Considering also the news of ‘Grill and Cash’ being added to your catalogue: How are the Central, Eastern Europe and EMEA responding to Turkish feature films? What is the potential of the genre in those markets? We are seeing strong and growing demand for Turkish feature films across CEE and EMEA. We recently released ‘Grill and Cash’. There is an appetite for films that blend drama and humor, broadcasters are increasingly looking for content beyond series, and feature films offer them flexibility in scheduling and programming. What makes it universal is the story; Two brothers
Önay Devrim, Sales Executive for CEE and Baltics at Kanal D International
“Although we don’t have many movies in our catalogue, ‘Crazy in Love’ is a great addition to our existing rom-coms”
KDI TAKES TIME GOES BY TO SERBIA
Kanal D International announced that the beloved Turkish drama ‘Time Goes By’ (‘Öyle Bir Geçer Zaman ki’) will soon air in Serbia. A modern classic of Turkish television, ‘Time Goes By’ is directed by Zeynep Günay Tan. The series captivated millions with its emotionally rich narrative, spanning decades of love, loss, and resilience within a single family. With its unforgettable performances, period setting, and compelling storytelling, ‘Time Goes By’ remains one of the most iconic titles in Turkish drama history — and continues to find new audiences around the world. “We are thrilled for Serbian viewers to experience the enduring legacy of Time Goes By”, the distributor said in a press release.
“Markets like Poland and the Baltics are becoming more eager to localize successful Turkish series, which presents exciting opportunities for us moving forward”
having a kiosk are trying to escape mafia, sounds already exciting and funny!
‘Farewell Letter’ keeps traveling very well around the world. What are the latest deals for the title? ‘Farewell Letter’ is a beautifully crafted drama that tells a heartfelt story of love, family, and the impact of past choices. The production quality is outstanding, with a talented cast, detailed set designs, and compelling storytelling. It’s universal themes and high production values make it appealing to
a wide range of audiences, allowing it to fit seamlessly into prime-time slots or lead on streaming platforms.
The series has been well-received internationally and has been sold to various countries, including Romania, Panama, Kazakhstan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Croatia, Montenegro, Uzbekistan, Latvia, Serbia, Vietnam, Mongolia, Ethiopia, the MENA region, Angola, Mozambique, Estonia, and Lithuania.
After so many years of success in Central, Eastern Europe and EMEA: Where do you identify the greatest growth possibilities moving forward? While ready-made dramas remain at the core of our portfolio, we see additional growth in two key areas. First, as mentioned, classical Turkish prime time series will keep remaining the main force of our catalogue. As you can see through many years, our evergreens are still performing highest level, so we will keep adding Premium titles. We are expacting some news about new season soon.
Second, there is increasing interest in formats. Markets like Poland and the Baltics are becoming more eager to localize successful Turkish series, which presents exciting opportunities for us moving forward. We can clearly mention the success of ‘Broken Promise’, Portuguese adaptation of ‘Ruthless City’, that became the Best Telenovela already.
What are your other main highlights for Natpe Budapest? Natpe Budapest is a great chance for us to reconnect with our partners and meet new ones in person, because we truly believe nothing beats face-to-face conversations. It’s also the perfect moment to highlight Kanal D’s creative power and trusted presence across different genres and platforms. We’re excited to be part of the market again, so feel free to drop by and say hi at table 31—we’d love to catch up!
Crazy for Love Movie
Secret of Pearls Drama
EMOTIONAL AND ENTICING DRAMAS
By Luis Cabrera lcabrera@todotv.tv @luis_cabreram
The award-winning thrilling erotic drama ‘The Good Girls Club’ returns with two new seasons, joined by the succesful adaptation ‘Broken Promise’ and the new telenovela, ‘The Last Will’.
Sold to more than 20 territories and available in platforms like Prime Video, ‘The Good Girls Club’ is one of the “most relevant Portuguese drama productions of the moment,” according to Carlota Vieira, manager at SIC International Distribution. At the June markets, the distributor is bringing the show’s sixth and seventh season to the market.
With a bold and edgy narrative structure, ‘The Good Girls Club’’s success is “based on key elements such as a powerful female-led cast and a consistent storyline that balances emotional depth with suspense-driven arcs that keep audiences hooked,” explains Vieira. “One of the elements that makes it particularly interesting is the way it explores
complex relationships and power dynamics, while maintaining a sexy and thrilling feel.”
The series constantly reinvents itself and, according to the executive, its latest seasons mark a “narrative step up, introducing a more complex dynamic between the antagonists and delving deeper into the characters’ development.”
Winner of multiple awards, including a silver medal at the New York Festivals - TV & Film Awards, the show is also full of potential as a local adaptation, thanks to its “global narrative, engaging and captivating character plots, a modern aesthetic, fast-paced storyline and a commercial dramatic structure easily adaptable to different cultural contexts,” points out Vieira.
SIC understands what makes a good local adaptation, since it comes fresh from achieving rating-leading results with ‘Broken Promise’; the Portuguese version of the Kanal D’s ‘Ruthless City’. “‘Broken Promise’ stands out for its ability to preserve the emotional richness and intensity of the original Turkish format while adding a distinct identity with local storytelling strengths, making it both globally relatable and culturally distinctive,” explains Vieira.
SIC International is distributing this new hit version, that has high production values and a top-notch cast, including internationally recognized talents like Vitória Guerra,
Carlota Vieira, Manager at SIC International Distribution
“‘Broken Promise’ stands out for its ability to preserve the emotional richness and intensity of the original Turkish format while adding a distinct [Portuguese] identity
Joana Ribeiro and Joana Santos. “Visually, this telenovela is enhanced by its stunning photography and the use of iconic locations, as the historic village of Sintra, which adds a unique and inspiring backdrop,” says the executive.
The distributor is also presenting ‘The Last Will’, a 2025 telenovela that premiered locally with a 19,3% of the share, peaking at 21,5% in its second episode, leading its prime-time slot against tought competition.
In ‘The Last Will’, Sofía has her life turned upside down after receiving an unexpected inheritance, triggering a series of conflicts, betrayals, and emotional surprises.
“Family secrets, power struggles and romantic entanglements are the backdrop to ‘The Last Will’. Its layered storytelling, emotional stakes, and dynamic characters are key elements for its success and audience acceptance,” affirms Vieira.
Broken Promise Telenovela
The Good Girls Club Drama
The Last Will Telenovela
DEEPLY PERSONAL AND UNIVERSALLY RELATABLE
Calinos Entertainment will have a leading role during NEM Dubrovnik 2025, hosting a special event for ‘Ana: You Are in My DNA’, one of its premium Romanian dramas, that leads a catalogue that also include Turkish standouts like ‘Farah’ and ‘Deeply’, alongside Canadian, Serbian and Arabic series.
By Luis Cabrera lcabrera@todotv.tv @luis_cabreram
In the search of the new big drama “boom”, Calinos Entertainment has set it sights on Romanian series, with three new additions to its catalogue set to be the highlights during NEM Dubrovnik 2025.
At the top of that list sits ‘Ana: You Are in My DNA’. Starring Karina Jianu and Vlad Udrescu, the drama follows the story of an ambitious and determined young woman who investigates her own past as an orphan only to find out troubling answers and new questions, which put them in a path of revenge, justice and even love.
“Its heartfelt story and richly drawn characters explore themes of identity, belonging, and love in a way that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable,” shares Aslı Serim, Head of Sales at Calinos Entertainment.
On Monday, June 9th, Calinos will host a “Welcome Reception” at the rooftop terrace of the Hotel Dubrovnik Palace, where they will showcase the series, with the presence of its stars.
Calinos’ CEO, Firat Gülgen, has shared his belief that Romanian titles will be the next big hit in the international market. What are the main Romanian titles you are showing to potential buyers during NEM? At this year’s NEM, we’re excited to present a powerful lineup of Romanian dramas that we believe capture the heart and depth of the region’s storytelling: ‘Ana: You Are in My DNA,’ ‘Love with Lavender Scent,’ and ‘Adela.’ We truly believe Romanian content is ready for a major breakthrough in the global market, and these titles reflect the richness, depth, and creative ambition coming out of the region today.
What can you share about the special event you are hosting for ‘Ana: You Are in My DNA’? This is a particularly special project for us. To celebrate ‘Ana: You Are in My DNA’, we’re hosting an exclusive evening in its honor, with the main cast in attendance. It’s more than just a party, it’s a chance for our partners and guests to experience the soul of the series firsthand and connect with the people who brought it to life.
You have also added titles from other territories to your catalogue. How do you see these titles travelling across Europe? We don’t limit our catalogue to Turkish content. We’re always looking for
Aslı
Serim, Head of Sales at Calinos Entertainment
“To celebrate ‘Ana: You Are in My DNA,’ we’re
hosting an exclusive evening in its honor, with the main cast in attendance”
strong, high-quality productions that we believe will connect with audiences globally. Alongside Turkish titles, we’ve added Canadian, Romanian, Serbian, and most recently, Arabic series to our lineup. A title like ‘Alert Squad’, which was recently sold to Japan, proves that good storytelling travels well and we see strong potential for these titles across Europe too.
“‘Deeply’ is a beautifully crafted Turkish drama that tells a very personal and emotional love story, carried by two strong lead performances”
What can you share about ‘Deeply’ and its potential in the international market? ‘Deeply’ is a beautifully crafted Turkish drama that tells a very personal and emotional love story, carried by two strong lead performances. Originally aired on BluTV, it stands out with its modern storytelling and authenticity. We’ve just licensed it to Bulgaria and we believe its universal themes like love, heartbreak, and personal growth will resonate with international audiences. It has strong potential in markets that value intimate, character-driven stories with a contemporary feel.
What other titles are you highlighting during the event? Are you also showcasing any upcoming titles? ‘Farah’ is definitely a must-have for us. It has already reached over 85 countries and remains a key highlight during the event. In addition to that, we’re showcasing our Romanian dramas, which have been performing well across various markets. We’re also introducing a new selection of premium Arabic series for the first time, as part of our expanding catalogue. We’re focused on offering diverse, high-quality content that resonates with audiences worldwide.
Some of your standout titles like ‘Forbidden Fruit’ and ‘Woman’ keep adding territories, more recently Italy. How do you see your business evolving across Europe in the upcoming years? Titles like ‘Forbidden Fruit’ and ‘Woman’ have demonstrated strong and growing appeal, adding new
territories steadily. This success reflects the trust and solid partnerships we’ve built over the years with broadcasters and platforms across Europe. Looking ahead, we see our business evolving by deepening these relationships and leveraging our local market knowledge to introduce a broader range of high-quality content.
How can you taking advantage of long-standing and successful relationships in many countries to further your penetration in other markets? Our long-standing collaborations enable us to better understand audience preferences and tailor our offerings, which helps us enter new markets more effectively. Europe’s diversity is a great opportunity, and we’re committed to delivering compelling stories that resonate across different cultures and regions.
“We don’t limit our catalogue to Turkish content. We’re always looking for strong, high-quality productions that we believe will connect with audiences globally”
Love with Lavender Scent Drama
Adela Drama
Ana: You Are in My DNA Drama
A WHIRLWIND OF EMOTIONS
By Luis Cabrera lcabrera@todotv.tv @luis_cabreram
The local success of ‘Eshref Ruya’, another title coming from Inter Medya’s partnership with TIMS&B Productions, bodes very well for the drama’s potential on the international market, alongside the company’s latest production, ‘Heartstrings’.
Can Okan,
Founder and CEO of Inter Medya
“We are thrilled to once again collaborate with Tims&B Productions to deliver another global success in ‘Eshref Ruya’”
One of the biggest new titles of the Turkish TV season, ‘Eshref Ruya’ (‘Eşref Rüya’), is the main highlight of the always potent catalogue that Inter Medya is presenting to partners and new buyers during the European markets in June.
Produced by their long-standing partners, TIMS&B Productions, ‘Eshref Ruya’ has the potential to become Inter Medya’s next great big international hit, a belief fuelled by its fantastic performance back home, where it fights head-to-head for the first spot on the highly competitive Wednesday nights.
The series has been a huge hit for Kanal D, with numbers that hover around 7.00 in Total ratings, and do even better in the coveted ABC, reaching heights of over 8.33 points during May. Perhaps more important, the audiences have grown significantly during its first eight episodes, event after a solid debut.
‘Eshref Ruya’ boasts a stellar cast, including Çağatay Ulusoy, Demet Özdemir, Necip Memili, Büşra Develi, Ahmet Rıfat Şungar, Tolga Tekin, and Görkem Sevindik, also featuring Macit Koper.
Directed by acclaimed director Uluç Bayraktar, with a screenplay penned by Ethem Özışık and Lokman Maral, the series follows Eshref (Çağatay Ulusoy), a fearless and powerful man who seemingly has it all— except for the one thing that truly matters: love. Haunted by a past he can’t escape, he is drawn into a whirlwind of emotions when he meets Nisan (Demet Özdemir), a talented young musician who reignites something in him, he thought was long lost.
“We are thrilled to once again collaborate with Tims&B Productions to deliver another global success,” shared Can Okan, Founder and CEO of Inter Medya. “With its outstanding storytelling and exceptional talent
Eshref Ruya Drama
both in front of and behind the camera, Eshref Ruya is set to leave a lasting impact on international audiences and further strengthen the presence of Turkish drama in the global market.”
Building on a legacy of global hits like ’Bitter Lands’, ‘Valey of Hearts’, ‘Deception’, ‘The Trusted’, and more, Tims&B Productions is continuing its strategic partnership with Inter Medya this time to bring ’Eshref Ruya’ to the international stage.
A NEW ORIGINAL. Inter Medya is also bringing to the international market its new production, ‘Heartstrings’ (‘Can Bağı’), fresh off announcing that the title has been licensed to Romania.
First unveiled at Content Americas in January, ‘Heartstrings ’ is a powerful drama about two parents whose lives are upended when they discover their daughters were switched at birth. Brought together by a desperate need to save a child’s life, Mahinur and Aras enter a marriage of necessity – only to find love where they least expected it. ‘Heartstrings ’ is a moving story of fate,
family, love and the bonds that tie hearts together against all odds.
Directed by Canan Çelik, the family drama stars Ergül Miray Şahin, Ali Yağız Durmuş, and the young actresses Lena Balcıoğlu and Zeynep İkra Özköse, among others.
The production arm of Inter Medya will keep adding new titles in the upcoming years, after the recent deal with Zebra Producciones, the fiction brand of the iZen Group, that will see both companies join forces for international co-productions, with three titles already in development.
Inter Medya is also bringing to the international market its new production, ‘Heartstrings’, already licensed to Romania
INTER MEDYA ADDS EXXEN’S TITLES
In March, Inter Medya announced a new milestone in its ongoing strategy to expand its mini-series catalogue through strategic partnerships with Turkey’s leading digital platforms. The company has signed a comprehensive agreement with Exxen, one of
Turkey’s most popular streaming platforms, owned by International Media and Entertainment Group, Acunmedya, securing international distribution rights for eight original miniseries.
With this new deal, Inter Medya adds ‘The
TO ITS CATALOGUE
Void’ (‘Hükümsüz’), ‘Just Friends’ (‘Sadece Arkadaşiz’), ‘Roommates’ (‘Öğrencİ Evİ’), ‘Mr. Şeref’ (‘Şeref Bey’), ‘My Magical Mom’ (‘Sİhİrlİ Annem’), ‘Save Me’ (‘Yetİş Zeynep’), ‘Time Of Death’ (‘Ölüm Zamani’), and ‘Love Bets Are Off’ (‘Aşk Kumardir’) to its global catalogue.
These titles, originally streamed on Exxen, will now be introduced to international markets under Inter Medya’s distribution.
The deal expands Inter Medya’s already robust mini-series offering, a genre that includes its
own productions, like ‘Respect’; titles like TIMS&B’s ‘Interrupted’, and content coming from the distributor’s agreements with platforms like Gain and TOD, for such titles as ‘Like There is No Tomorrow’, ‘Running Errands’, ‘Dreams and Realities’ and ‘The Ivy’ among many others.
Valley of Hearts Drama
Heartstrings Drama
The Void Mini-series
Just Friends Mini-series
Roommates Mini-series
BOW
TO THE KING
By Luis Cabrera
The return of Halit Ergenç in a starring role in ‘The Fall of the King’ has been a huge success for OGM Universe, but it’s just the tip of the spear for the Turkish distributor, with three outstanding new series in their pipeline for this year.
The anticipated success of renown actor Halit Ergenç to Turkish TV dramas, in the lead role of ‘The Fall of the King’, could be enough to power an international distributor for a full year, but in the case of OGM Universe, it is just one highlight among many, in a catalog which includes other fantastic dramas like ‘Six of Us’, plus three new upcoming series.
It all starts with the ‘King ’: Ergenç, known worldwide as Onur in ‘1001 Nights’, is back to the top of the ratings in Turkey, with a new story directed by the Taylan brothers and Cem Toluay: “The series’ 1990s setting, elegant cinematography and deep character arcs make it a natural candidate for international travel,” explains Ekin Koyuncu, Global Distribution & Partnership Director at OGM Universe.
Ergenç stars alongside Merve Dizdar, Aslıhan Gürbüz and Nilperi Şahinkaya, in a se -
ries based on Gülseren Budayıcıoğlu’s bestselling novel.
“The series blends power, betrayal and redemption, in a way that is both emotionally intense and universally relatable,” shares Koyuncu. “Its nostalgic visual style and psychological depth give it added appeal in markets seeking layered, sophisticated storytelling. We’re confident ‘The Fall of the King’ will perform well across Northern, Central, and Eastern Europe.”
If ‘The Fall of the King’ has been ruling the ratings in Turkey on Tuesday, ‘Six of Us’ does the same in the also very competitive Wednesday’s primetime. “As the series continues to lead prime-time ratings on Star TV, its international appeal is rapidly growing. The show has already sparked strong interest, where broadcasters are drawn to its emotionally layered storytelling and high production values,” says the executive.
“With resonant themes of love, sacrifice and family resilience, ‘Six of Us’ is, at its core, a deeply Turkish drama, rooted in tradition and local color—yet it tells a story that transcends borders,” shares Koyuncu, explaining its international, which includes ongoing “discussions for additional European territories.”
MORE TO COME. The two rating-leading titles on Star TV are not enough for OGM, which also has three new series in the works, including the upcoming ‘Carpinti ’. “The series will begin filming very soon, featuring the highly sought-after actress Sibel Taşçıoğlu in the lead role,” says Koyuncu. “The screenplay is written by the talented duo Deniz Dargı and Cem Görgeç, with additional contributions by Mevsim Yenice.
“It will be directed by Burcu Alptekin, whose visionary approach perfectly complements the story’s dynamic and emotional depth. We believe ‘Çarpıntı ’ will resonate deeply with audiences, offering fresh perspectives and strong performances,” she adds.
In just three years, OGM Universe has shown an impressive growth, based on what Koyuncu describes as a “unwavering focus on powerful storytelling and meaningful global connections.”
“OGM Universe was created to centralize and distribute top Turkish drama series worldwide and, in a short time, it has already made a significant impact,” says the executive. “Rather than simply exporting content, we aim to deliver emotionally rich stories that resonate across cultures. Our catalog reflects a clear vision: bold, innovative projects rooted in Turkish culture but crafted to speak to universal audiences.”
OGM Pictures’ incredible pedigree is a key element, of course, but Koyuncu believes that what set the distributor apart is its “collaborative spirit: we work closely with creators, partners, and audiences to ensure every story maintains its authenticity and impact.”
“We are more than a distributor: OGM Universe is a cultural bridge, connecting Turkish creativity with the world’s growing appetite for compelling, diverse storytelling,” she concludes.
Ekin Koyuncu, Global Distribution & Partnership Director at OGM Universe
“‘The Fall of the King’ blends power, betrayal, and redemption in a way that is both emotionally intense and universally relatable”
“With her extensive experience, Canan Okan is already helping us establishing valuable new partnerships and significantly deepening existing”
AN EXPANDING TEAM AROUND THE WORLD
To answer the demands of its everexpanding catalogue, OGM Universe started 2025 with many new additions to its sales team. “We have been active in this sector for three years (and), from
the outset, we chose to grow deliberately and with a clear strategy,” explains Koyuncu.
“Now, with a steadily expanding catalog and an ambitious pipeline for 2025/26 that includes three new
series, it was the right time to take the next step and strengthen our team.” First, Mikaela Pérez joined as Sales Director for Latam, US, and Iberia, soon followed by the news of other
executives: Mina Aslan was appointed as Sales Executive for Asia, Africa, and Inflight, while Canan Koca joined the group as Sales Executive for CEE, Baltics & Europe.
“With her extensive
experience and market knowledge, Canan Okan is already helping us establishing valuable new partnerships and significantly deepening existing,” shares Koyuncu.
Shahrazad: Tears of Istanbul Drama
Six of Us Drama
CONNECTING WITH THE RIGHT PARTNERS
By Luis Cabrera
lcabrera@todotv.tv
@luis_cabreram
The former Kanal D International executive has joined Hacıyatmaz Group at a pivotal time in which the company is seeking to expand its footprint in different areas, including longform TV, digital, vertical and short-form content.
After seven years at Kanal D International, Selim Türkmen, former director of Sales at the Turkish distributor, has joined Hacıyatmaz Group, the company founded and led by Tayfur Sonkaya, which offers, with its many divisions, a broad variety of services, includ-
In
ing high-end content production, with the fantastic track-record of Yeşil Yapım.
As the new director of Sales and Business Developement, Türkmen will seek to grow Hacıyatmaz’s business around the world, pursuing “long-term partnerships” and taking full advantage of the company’s “willingness to try new things and push creative boundaries.”
Drawn to the role by the “chance to work with such an experienced team at a company that’s widely respected both in Turkey and internationally”, Türkmen has now set his sights on looking for all kinds of opportunities: including content distribution, co-productions and strategic partnerships.
“Hacıyatmaz Group is not only known for its strong track-record in production but also for its willingness to try new things and push creative boundaries. It’s about connecting our projects with the right partners around the world and exploring new opportunities for growth,” he says.
On the production side, Hacıyatmaz is active in many areas, including long-form TV
dramas, digital-first content for platforms like YouTube, and vertical/short-form series, alongside commercial productions, from branded content to influencer collaborations and AI-supported creative solutions.
As Yeşil Yapım, the company has been behind huge Turkish international successes, lik e ‘The Girl of the Green Valley’, ‘Love and Pride’, ‘Elif’ and ‘The Light of Hope’ . Now they are embarking on their own project, the drama ‘ Narin ’. “We’re scheduled to begin production this summer, and we’re very excited about its potential,” shares Türkmen. “It’s a project that reflects our strengths as a company: strong storytelling, efficient production, and international appeal.”
Considering new formats, the executive sees “major potential in the vertical and shortform series space”: “While there are already some players in the field, it’s still a young and evolving market, which leaves room for innovation,” he explains. “With our experience and ability to produce high-quality content efficiently, we believe Turkish producers like us are well positioned to become global leaders in this segment.”
At the end of the day, the key is finding the right allies: “Long-term partnerships are at the heart of our business model, and it’s one that has served us very well,” says Türkmen. “We value fairness, transparency, and mutual trust. The ideal partner is someone who shares those values and sees the creative and commercial value of high-quality Turkish drama. We’re not just looking for deals, we’re looking for real collaboration.”
Selim Türkmen, Director of Sales and Business Developement at Hacıyatmaz Group
“The ideal partner is someone who shares our values and sees the creative and commercial value of high-quality Turkish drama”
“With our experience and ability to produce high-quality content efficiently, we believe Turkish producers like us are well positioned to become global leaders in this segment.”
Narin
development
Listings Natpe Budapest & NEM Dubrovvnik
ATV DISTRIBUTION
+90 212 354 37 01
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EXECUTIVE
Sena Kul, Sales Specialist
THE NIGHTFALL
TOP EXECUTIVE
Müge Akar, Head of Sales
(Drama, 45’, in production)
Mahir, whose father was assassinated in the city of Denizli by Kürşat Kilimci, returns twenty years later as a police inspector, determined to avenge his father’s death. On his first day back, he has a fateful encounter with a mesmerizing girl named Canfeza, the daughter of Kürşat, and instantly falls in love. As Mahir searches for this mysterious woman, he also keeps a close watch on Kürşat, waiting for him to slip up. Mahir realizes his chance will come at the wedding of Kürşat’s daughter. But what he doesn’t know is that this event will change his life forever, marking the beginning of a night filled with unexpected twists
HIDDEN DESTINY
(Drama, 45’, in production)
Hidden Destiny tells the story of Mehmet, a successful lawyer, trying to reconnect with his young daughter, Doğa, who has distanced herself from him after her mother’s death. This effort will also bring long-hidden secrets to light. While a concealed affair of Celal’s disrupts the balance, his wife, Handan, unaware of this unraveling, will struggle to keep the family together.
Sinem Alışkan, Senior Sales and Communication Manager
ESHREF RUYA (Drama, TBA)
Adapted from the award-winning Argentinian series ‘La Chica Que Limpia’, ‘Farah’ tells the story of an Iranian woman who had to flee her country and is struggling to survive in Istanbul, working as a cleaning lady to fund her son’s medical treatment.
ANA
(Drama, 120 hours, ongoing)
Ana is an ambitious and determined young woman living in a foster home with other young people like her. She investigates why she was abandoned and discovers a “baby broker” who was giving unwanted children up for international adoption in exchange for money. Ana is tempted to seek the truth and bring the guilty to justice, however this search will involve the man she loves. she knows this story can bring her fame as a journalist, but she is not ready to lose the love of her life.
LOVE WITH LAVENDER SCENT
(Drama, 166 hours)
Fifteen years ago, Anda fled an abusive marriage and returned to her birthplace, Podișor, where she raises her daughter alone and serves as the village doctor. Her peaceful life is disrupted when Stefan, a retired footballer, inherits her house and land through her father’s will, which reveals her father’s dark past: he deceitfully acquired the property by murdering Stefan’s grandmother.
TOP EXECUTIVE
Beatriz Cea Okan, VP and Head of Sales and Acquisitions
Eşref spent years searching for a girl he once loved from afar as a child—a memory so distant and idealized, he called her “Rüya,” meaning dream. In the process, he rose to power as a high-ranking member of a mafia syndicate. Nisan, an idealistic young musician, ends up entangled in his world after performing at a wedding held in the luxury hotel Eşref runs. He falls for her, unaware that she’s not only the long-lost Rüya he’s been searching for, but also secretly working as an informant for the police. As love, betrayal, and power collide, Eşref is pulled into a deep reckoning—both with his crew and his own heart.
VALLEY OF HEARTS
(Drama, TBA)
Sumru, a woman who abandoned her twins, now lives a wealthy life in Cappadocia. When her twins, Nuh and Melek, discover her identity, they confront her and seek retribution. Meanwhile, the Şansalans’ mansion is rife with family drama, including a forced marriage, hidden agendas, and a looming threat from a past enemy. As love blossoms between the twins and the Şansalans’ children, Sumru must face her past and decide whether love can overcome revenge.
kdisales@kanald.com.tr kanald.international
Nem Dubrovnik: Table A Natpe Budapest: Table 31
TOP EXECUTIVE
Elif Tatoğlu, Distribution Strategy Director
THE FAMILY BURDEN (Drama, 95 x 44’)
Melike, who is innocent, is convicted of killing her husband and is released after twenty years. Her only dream is to reunite with her daughter Hazal, whom she entrusted to her sister when she was a baby. However, Melike is not only waiting for her daughter outside, but also a new prison woven with lies. As Melike uncovers the lies told to her one by one, she will also understand what kind of game she has fallen into.
SECRET OF PEARLS (Drama, 44’)
Azem’s life is shattered when he takes the blame for his wife’s death to protect his daughter. After prison, he searches for his adopted children and deals with complex relationships, but time has taken its toll.
A FATHER’S PROMISE (Drama, 67 x 44’)
Amidst the political turmoil of the 1980s, Mustafa sacrifices himself to save his wife and leaves his daughter with the wealthy Ronas family. A moving story unfolds as they reunite, facing dangers and the resistance of love.
DAYLIGHT (Drama, 45 x 44’)
Gece’s summer dreams of going to college and playing music in Istanbul are interrupted when her family moves to Foça due to her sister Gülce’s special needs. A story of love, maturity, and unexpected challenges unfolds.
Eshref Ruya
The Nightfall
Farah
Esentepe, Kore Şehitleri Caddesi, No.5/3 Şişli/ Estambul 34394 Turquía.
+90 212 273 24 34 info@madd.tv www.madd.tv
EXECUTIVE
Özlem Özsümbül, Sales Director
EXECUTIVE
Ateş Ince, General Director
PORTRAIT OF A SCANDALOUS FAMILY
(Drama, 75 x 45’)
Based on the true story of the Şakir Paşa family, an Ottoman dynasty rocked by scandal that gave rise to some of the greatest artists of the 20th century. In 1911, Şakir Paşa was a retired Ottoman commander and history writer living in Büyükada when his eldest son, Cevat, returned from Oxford with an Italian wife. They all lived together in the family villa, where the bohemian Cevat increasingly clashed with his military father, who disapproved of Cevat’s wife and lifestyle. But Cevat’s wife became infatuated with the older man, and he was unable to resist. Thus began a chain of events that tore the Şakir Paşa family apart, which is only the beginning of their extraordinary story.
LEYLA (Drama)
Young Leyla’s life turns into a disaster when her father, Hilmi, marries Nur, the beautiful young woman who once cared for Leyla’s late mother. Blinded by love, Hilmi fails to see the torment that Leyla’s new stepmother inflicts on her, turning her home into a living nightmare. Tragically, Hilmi realizes too late that Nur is not who she seems, and he pays for his mistake with his life. Homeless and alone, Leyla vows to take revenge on the woman who destroyed her family and stole her life.
(+90) 216 695 1300
Barbaros Mah. Fikret Mualla Sok. No:13 Fidem
Prestij Blokları B Blok D:21 34664 Uskudar, Istambul, Turkey www.mistco.tv
COME WHAT MAY
Aysegul Tuzun, General Director
(Romantic Drama, 89 x 45’)
The day Alize was born, her mother died. Although her father Nurettin tries to make her happy, Alize has become aggressive, selfish, and confrontational. When Alize crashes into a mechanic’s car and flees the scene, Nurettin decides to teach his daughter things he couldn’t teach her when she was younger, before it’s too late.
BAHAR (Drama, 114 x 45’)
‘Bahar’ is the story of a young woman who struggles to maintain her inner goodness despite all the darkness that surrounds her. After witnessing her father’s murder, she tries to prove that Aysun (her stepmother) committed the crime. On the other hand, the love between Bahar and Demir, who met a few days before the murder, grows day by day, but it becomes even more impossible as Aysun is obsessively attached to Demir and is determined to win him over at any cost.
SECRETS OF AN ANGEL
(Drama, 90 x 45’)
‘Secrets of an Angel’, starring Alp Navruz and İrem Helvacıoğlu, is about a family whose lives are abruptly changed by tragedy. Cennet, who was exposed to domestic violence for years by her husband, Yılmaz, falls ill and is hospitalized. While receiving treatment, she sees lawyer Zeynep’s number in the hospital window and calls her for help.
Tomtom Mah. İstiklal Cad. Mısır Apt. No:163/17 Beyoğlu/ Istanbul mustafakeyvan@ogmuniverse.com Nesrineyupoglu@ogmunivers.com ogmuniverse.com
Mikaela Perez, Sales Director (Latam, US & Iberia)
Mina Aslan, Sales Executive (Asia, Africa, & Inflight)
Nesrin Özkalay, Marketing & PR Director
Ekin Koyuncu Karaman, Global Distribution & Partnership Director
THE FALL OF THE KING
(Drama. S1: 40 x 45’)
Kenan Baran—The King—appears to have it all: wealth, power, and the perfect wife. But beneath the surface, betrayal, desire, and old wounds threaten to shatter his empire. When one woman from his past reclaims her strength and another from a modest life becomes an unexpected temptation, Kenan’s reign begins to crumble. ‘The Fall of the King’ is a gripping tale of passion, power, and the inevitable price of a life built on lies.
SIX OF US
(Drama, S1: 85 x 45’’)
Pursued by Azize’s estranged father, Yavuz, they struggle to survive until they find refuge with their uncle Aslan. Azize, the eldest, becomes the protector of her siblings and is forced into a marriage with Devran to end a blood feud, sparking an unexpected love. As Cemo grapples with his rebellious nature and feelings for Melis, Zeliha hides a dangerous affair with Yusuf, while Fidan works tirelessly to keep the family together. Samet and Balım navigate the harsh realities of their new life. At its core, the series explores themes of family, love, sacrifice, and the fight for survival amid both external threats and internal turmoil.
sales@sic.pt internationaldistribution.sic.pt
Carlota Vieira, Manager
THE GOOD GIRLS CLUB (Erotic drama, S6 & S7)
The Club is celebrating its birthday, but there are forces moving in the shadows. The moment of Vera Leão’s consecration is about to become a night of surprises, danger and drama. No one is safe and nothing is going to stay the same... This award-winning series is one of our blockbusters and has already been sold to more than 20 countries.
BROKEN PROMISE (Drama, 140 x 45’)
Based on a Turkish script from Kanal D, the story focuses on the relationship between two families who end up involved in a secret deal, giving rise to conflicts, but also forbidden passions tangled up in a complicated plot. A dramatic portrait of human emotions with which audiences can easily relate and empathize.
THE LAST WILL
(Drama, 220 x 45’)
Sofia is struggling with serious financial problems and hoping to find her daughter Beatriz, who has been missing for nine years. Her life changes drastically when she meets Raul, a millionaire who turns out to be her father. Raul adds Sofia to his will but is murdered before revealing the truth. Sofia ends up inheriting the Novais family business, but she isn’t remotely prepared for the hostility from the Novais family, especially Pilar. Vicente, on the other hand, moves in the shadows to carry out his plan to take control of the company, manipulating Pilar and trying to seduce Sofia.
Portrait of a Scandalous Family MADD ENTERTAINMENT
Come What May
The Fall Of The King
The Good Girls Club
DIGI TARGETS INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION WITH A DISRUPTIVE STRATEGY
By Adam Thomas Senior Principal Analyst,
Digi Communications made some big strategic decisions in 2024 as it launched commercial operations in both Portugal and Belgium. Its low-cost offering has the potential to disrupt the incumbent players.
Digi Communications, a telco and pay TV operator based in Romania, has released its latest set of annual results. Revenue in full-year 2024 was €1.93bn, up by almost 14% year on year. Operating profit was boosted by the sale of a fiber network in Spain so more than trebled to €603m, and pretax profit also grew, from €93.7m in 2023 to €539.8m in 2024. These positive numbers were also assisted by good growth in its revenue-generating unit (RGU) base, as a 16.4% year-on-year increase took it to 27.8 million RGUs. Within that total is a 3.3%
increase in Digi’s domestic pay-TV subscription numbers to 5.87 million RGUs, made up of a combination of cable and satellite TV subscriptions.
Digi started life in the early 1990s as a Romanian cable operator. In 1996 a merger saw it become RCS, and shortly afterward it formed RDS to create the RCS & RDS brand that would come to dominate pay TV in Romania. The Digi brand started to come to prominence in 2004 when it was used to launch a satellite TV service. Digi has at various times expanded significantly by establishing operations in several other Eastern European territories, but all of these have subsequently been sold off.
Until recently, Digi’s most significant non-Romanian businesses have been telco assets based in Italy and Spain. However, it made some pivotal strategic moves in 2024, launching commercial services in Portugal in November 2024 and in Belgium a month later. In 2024, its Romanian operation generated 57.4% of total revenue, down from 60.8% in 2023.
The attraction of expanding beyond Eastern Europe is obvious: Digi’s ARPU in Spain was €8.70 in 2024 and €7.60 in Portugal, compared with €4.40 in Romania. The revenue
contribution from Romania, in percentage terms, will therefore continue to decline. Omdia expects further international expansion over the coming years.
In Portugal Digi offers quad-play, including a cable/IPTV-based pay-TV service costing €12 per month that, as of March 2025, had more than 80 channels. A Digi TV multiscreen app is available, which extends the platform onto mobile and tablet devices. By the end of 2024, it had 121,000 pay-TV subscriptions. Many of these originate from the €150m purchase in August 2024 of local telco NOWO.
Digi’s Spanish operation, was expanded from triple-play to quad-play in December 2024, when it added a pay-TV option. As in Portugal, the Digi TV multiscreen app is also available.
In Belgium, Digi launched without a pay-TV option, though it has plans to introduce one. While the local press in Belgium carried negative stories about Digi’s cash flow situation and general working practices, the company’s described these reports as “totally wrong.”
The negativity Digi is experiencing in new markets may well come from the disruptive strategy it is employing: to offer low prices, but also to promise that these charges are not simply introductory prices to be inflated at the earliest opportunity. Instead, it describes its pricing model as being for the long term with no inbuilt automatic annual increases. On top of this, Digi also offers what it calls a “Freedom of Choice” approach, giving clients flexible contract terms and the ability to customize their services.
In December 2024, Digi committed itself to two financing agreements, one worth €220m and the other €61.9m. These will be used to fund network improvement and expansion plans across Romania, Spain, Portugal, and Belgium. Irrespective of the early reception it receives in these new markets, Digi’s willingness to invest significantly in these projects makes it clear that it is very serious about its expansion.
*this an abridged version of the article originally published by Omdia on March 28th 2025. You can read the complete article at omdia.tech.informa.com
“Digi describes its pricing model in new markets as being for the long term with no inbuilt automatic annual increases”
TV, Video and Advertising at Omdia*
IN NUMBERS
5,89 was the rating in the coveted ABC1 demo of the final episode of season 1 of ‘The Fall of the King’.
6 titles from KDI’s catalogue were sold recently in the CIS region, including ‘The Family Burden’ and ‘A Father’s Promise’.
38% of YouTube users watch traditional TV and movies on the platform, according to a study by Ampere.
+30 countries have already acquired ‘Valley of Hearts’, with Georgia and Hungary among the latest deals.
3 of Animotion Media’s most populars IPs are now available to millions of families via the HappyKids platform.
2 new seasons -5th and 6th- have been confirmed for Kanal D Romania’s format Think, distributed by Sera Film.
DUBBING THE KITCHEN MAKES ITS WAY TO BUDAPEST
THE KITCHEN HUNGARY will once again attend Natpe Budapest, scheduled for June 23-26. Gabor Somogyi and Lajos Petro, the Chief Executives of the Hungarian dubbing studio, will be in attendance, representing The Kitchen team. “This event has been most beneficial to our global team, in the sense of maintaining a presence in the region,” Gabor Somogyi explained. “We are excited to share with our potential clients more about AI, continuing the strong advances that our technical teams have already integrated into our daily work-flows. The Kitchen likes to stay in the forefront of technology and we have already been utilizing some parts of the AI process for nearly four years, specifically in translation. Our goal is to take advantage of the most recent technological developments in AI to upgrade our scale of services to our clients.”
Gabor Somogyi,
Co-CEO of The Kitchen Hungary
DISTRIBUTION GLOBO PRESENTS NEW RELEASES AND CLASSICS AT NEM AND NATPE
GLOBO IS PARTICIPATING IN NEM DUBROVNIK AND NATPE BUDAPEST, two of Eastern Europe’s main audiovisual industry events, presenting a robust and diverse portfolio. The company brings its latest releases, classic telenovelas, Globoplay Original series, and both scripted and unscripted formats to the events, reinforcing its regional expansion strategy. Among the highlights are the telenovelas ’Mania de Você’ and ’Garota do Momento’ and the new season of the action series ’A Divisão’. On June 9, at 5:55 p.m., during NEM Dubrovnik, Rodrigo Nascimento, Head of International Sales – EMEA, will present the panel “Globo: 100 Years of Stories”. In celebration of the group’s centenary, Rodrigo will talk about Globo’s main launches, its operations in Eastern Europe, and strategic partnership opportunities in the region.
DISTRIBUTION TIMS&B PRODUCTIONS TAKES OVER ITALY’S PRIME TIME
FOLLOWING THE MASSIVE SUCCESS of ‘Bitter Lands’ in Italy, Turkey’s Tims&B Productions reached a new milestone with two other hit dramas: ‘Deception’ (‘Tradimento’) and the newly launched ‘Valley of Hearts’ (‘La Notte Nel Cuore’) achieved remarkable prime-time ratings on Canale 5, standing out as the only Turkish productions featured among Italy’s list of top ten most-watched programs from May 23 to 28, 2025. ‘Deception’s May 23rd broadcast on Canale 5 ranked #5 among all prime-time programs airing between May 23 and 28, drawing 2,310,000 viewers and a 14.94% share, while ‘Valley of Hearts’, which premiered on Canale 5 on Sunday, May 25, 2025, also made the list with 1,919,000 viewers and a 12.54% share. Further building on its strong debut, the second episode of ‘Valley of Hearts’ raised up to the #1 spot in prime-time with a dominant 15.7% audience share. Both titles are distributed by Inter Medya.
