BY SELENAY YAGCI
The U.S.-based subscription streaming service and production company Netflix has contributed TRY 583m to the Turkish economy since 2018. The company has also employed more than 3,300 people in Turkish productions. In the near future, the company plans to invest in further Turkish series and productions.
Netflix has increased worldwide interest in Turkish culture, music, and books. According to a recent survey the American subscription streaming service has conducted, it has also greatly benefitted the Turkish economy since its first Turkish series, The Protector (Hakan: Muhafiz), was released. Survey results show that Netflix has contributed TRY 583m to the Turkish economy and has employed more than 3,300 people in over 10 Turkish productions since 2018.
The company will further invest in Turkish productions in the upcoming period. 10 more Turkish productions are on their way, according to Pelin Mavili, Turkey and Middle East and North Africa Public Policy Director of Netflix.
Netflix created more than 1,700 jobs for actors and teams in Turkish productions, and also while it provided the opportunity for background actors to work over the course of thousands of days. Moreover, sales of the books Netflix series are based on have increased. Turkish productions have aired in 183 countries, and are also attracting visitors to the country. Ayvalik, Gaziantep, Bodrum, Bozcaada, Bursa, and Foca, as well as many iconic places in Istanbul such as Sultanahmet Square, Hagia Sophia, the Grand Bazaar and Mimar Sinan Mausoleum, appear in Netflix’s Turkish series and movies, attracting the attention of subscribers around the world.
Continued Investment in Turkey
Netflix will continue to make content investments in Turkey, the firm says. The company hopes to contribute to Turkey’s international trade and cultural promotion, said Mavili. In the coming months, Netflix will increase the number and range of Turkish series and movies on its platform, especially in the first few months of 2022.
“We aim to make more Turkish productions, created by skilled and creative teams in this country, that will become phenomena around the world,” said Mavili.
