Continuing the expansion of its footprint in the Turkish market, Discovery Communications has announced it will launch TLC, its flagship global entertainment and lifestyle network, in Turkey on national free-to-air entertainment channel CNBC-e which it bought in July from Dogus Media Group.
Discovery’s TLC will be replacing CNBC-e and launch in Turkey in November.
Shows that TLC will premiere for Turkish audiences include “Fear the Walking Dead,” “Aquarius,” British period drama “Poldark” and a selection of popular series from the Oprah Winfrey Network, including “Oprah Prime” and “Oprah’s Master Class.”
Many of the most popular shows from CNBC-e will also be returning, including “The Vikings,” “Hannibal,” and sitcom “Mike & Molly.”
“Today marks a new era in our Turkish business, as we close our deal with Dogus Media Group to acquire CNBC-e and announce the launch of TLC,” said Discovery Networks’ James Gibbons who oversees their Turkish operation.
“TLC Turkey will offer a diverse mix of content that adds value to our existing strong portfolio, including dedicated feeds for Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and Discovery Science,” he added. Besides marking Discovery’s first foray into Turkey’s free-to-air segment, TLC will increase its Turkish portfolio to 13 channels.
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“As Dogus Media Group, we believe Discovery Communications will introduce the Turkish market to a totally new channel, reflecting the latest trends in various types of entertainment under a very strong brand like TLC,” enthused Dogus group chairman Erman Yerdelen. “TLC is the channel Turkey has been waiting for and we look forward to presenting it to viewers and our commercial partners this November.”
Dogus will be responsible for selling Discovery’s entire commercial portfolio and securing sponsorship opportunities from Turkish advertisers.
The strategic alliance with Dogus Media Group comes after Discovery opened a local office in 2012 and attained full distribution across all major Turkish pay-TV platforms.
Turkey is the country of honour at Mipcom, reflecting the growing vibrancy of the Turkish TV market which serves an upwardly mobile local population of 76 million at the crossroads of Europe and Asia and exports an estimated roughly $200 million worth of TV product annually.
