“Move to help facilitate successful spread of Turkish-made productions around the World”

 

Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy made a statement regarding the decision taken.

Online streaming platform Netflix announced Thursday it will open an office in Istanbul by the second half of 2021. 

Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Turkey’s culture and tourism minister, welcomed the move, as the film and TV industry has become a key tool in promotion and cultural diplomacy as well as economic contributions to the country.

"The fact that Turkish series and movies can be watched in 190 countries will help the development of the country’s film tourism," said Ersoy. 

The countries that watch Netflix’s original and licensed Turkish productions the most include the US, Argentina, Australia, Britain, Brazil, France, India, Spain, Italy, Canada, Colombia, Mexico, Poland, Saudi Arabia, and Chile. 

In recent years, Turkish TV series have been seen as part of Turkey’s "soft power" diplomacy, with series enjoying massive popularity worldwide, from Pakistan to South America.