Hits, Misses, and Fresh Starts: A Look at the Türkiye’s New TV Season

The rising costs of production in Türkiye led networks to cancel summer series and start the regular season earlier than usual. This year, Turkish dramas began airing as early as September, with a mix of renewed fan-favorites and ambitious new titles produced by the country’s leading production companies, all competing for top ratings.

A total of 17 series returned from last season, with 8 new ones kicking off in September and 2 more debuting in October with more shows lined up to premiere in November and December. In the tough ratings competition, some new releases were canceled early, while others turned into big hits, adding to the success of the returning favorites. Let’s dive in to new Turkish dramas and take a closer look.

The Standout New Series

Among the season’s top-performing new dramas, Valley of Hearts, produced by TIMS&B Productions, captured a strong total rating of 4.03 in its premiere. Another buzzworthy title, The Good and the Bad, featuring Aras Bulut İynemli, debuted with an impressive 5.49 rating. Meanwhile, the adaptation of Avenida Brasil, retitled Leyla, launched with a respectable 4.87, and ATV’s The Nightfall joined the lineup with a debut rating of 4.67. All these new series have successfully maintained their run so far.

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October added a few promising new Turkish dramas to the lineup. On October 15, Hidden Garden, starring Murat Yıldırım and Ebru Şahin, aired its first episode with a rating of 3.36. Another notable series, The Cost of Lies, made its debut the same month, securing a rating of 3.88.

Old But Gold

While fresh stories and cast ensembles draw initial interest, renewed Turkish dramas have shown they still hold a special place in viewers’ hearts. In the ABC1 category, classic Turkish dramas like One Love (8.59), An Anatolian Tale (6.91), Blooming Lady (7.98), Red Roses (7.87), The Shadow Team (7.22), and The Ottoman (6.03) are consistently topping the charts.

In the ABC1 category for October, The Good and the Bad joined the top ranks alongside One Love, An Anatolian Tale, Blooming Lady, and Red Roses in the top three spots, underlining the continued appeal of these beloved series.

Cancelled Shows

Despite a strong lineup, some newcomers fell short in the ratings and ended sooner than anticipated. Kötü Kan, Güzel Aşklar Diyarı, and Loveberry all wrapped up by their sixth episodes. Meanwhile, the returning series Taş Kağıt Makas concluded its second season with only five episodes. The series Kör Nokta, starring İsmail Ege Şaşmaz and Rabia Soytürk, also met an early end, ending after just four episodes due to low ratings.

What’s Next?

Even with an early start to the season, there are still many new Turkish dramas set to premiere in the coming months. Following the debut of 6 of Us, OGM Pictures is gearing up to launch several highly anticipated shows, including Kral Kaybederse, starring Halit Ergenç, and Şehrazat. The historical drama Şakir Paşa Ailesi: Mucizeler ve Skandallar is also on the way, along with an ambitious Korean adaptation, Aşk Evlilik Boşanma, which is expected to capture significant audience interest.

How will these fresh releases impact the already competitive ratings scene? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Türkiye’s TV industry continues to captivate audiences with plenty of exciting new stories.

*This article was written on November 10, 2024.