The Turkish distributor aims to extend its fantastic year, which has seen the success of Secret of Pearls and the Portuguese adaptation of Ruthless City, by bringing even more fresh and powerful dramas to the market, like The Family Burden and the upcoming My Mother’s Tale.
With hit series and international adaptations, 2024 has proven to be a spectacular year for Kanal D International, and the company is aiming to keep going strong well into 2025 thanks to new and upcoming titles.
Titles like Secret of Pearls shone very brightly during its run, and Kanal D even swam against the current during the summer in Turkey, opting to produce a new title, The Family Burden, when most local channels bowed before the presence of the Euros and the Olympic Games.
The new season will bring another fresh title, My Mother’s Tale (Annem Ankara), a very powerful drama starring Bergüzar Korel as Zuhal, a mother of three who, after finding out about her husband’s infidelity, seeks refuge in her childhood home, but finds none. “Zuhal’s journey is a story of strength and perseverance, offering a poignant reflection on the complexities of holding a family together,” shares Elif Tatoğlu, Distribution Strategy and Sales Director.
This year was dominated by Secret of Pearls. Can you share with us some numbers that illustrate the impact of the series locally? The show consistently held the top spot as the number one drama every Thursday during its run, gaining widespread attention on social media. It was also among the few dramas in recent years to exceed a 10 rating with its premiere episode, marking an impressive milestone.
What can you share about The Family Burden solid showing in such a unique TV summer season, dominated by the Euros and the Olympic Games? The Family Burden‘s (Yalan) strong performance in a summer season dominated by major events like the Euros and the Olympic Games was impressive. What made the series stand out was its captivating storytelling, relatable characters, and unique drama that offered viewers a compelling alternative to sports-heavy programming. Additionally, the timing worked in its favor, capturing viewers seeking scripted content during a period typically dominated by non-scripted or live events. This blend of timing, strong character development, and a gripping storyline made Yalan particularly attractive to audiences.
How important do you think it was to produce this drama for this summer season? Producing The Family Burden just before the start of the summer season allowed it to stand out with less competition, build momentum, and engage viewers early. Having fresh content for the upcoming months is valuable for keeping audiences engaged, retaining strong ratings, and maintaining a competitive edge as the fall season gets busier. Fresh episodes also provide marketing opportunities to sustain excitement and viewership.
What can you share about your newest titles? We are excited to introduce a brand new series set to premiere at the end of 2024, titled My Mother’s Tale (Annem Ankara). Featuring a stellar cast, including Bergüzar Korel and Mehmet Günsür, the series is directed by the acclaimed Faruk Teber, known for his work on popular projects such as Bir Zamanlar Çukurova, Maria ile Mustafa, Kanunsuz Topraklar, and Hanımın Çiftliği.
My Mother’s Tale centers on the life of Zuhal Soydaşlı (played by Korel), a mother of three sons and wife to Hasan (played by Günsür), a man who could never truly embrace the role of a son himself. Despite being surrounded by her family, Zuhal often felt isolated in her own home. In 1989, after discovering her husband’s infidelity, her first instinct was to return to her mother’s house. But for women of that generation, marriage was more than a change of name—it was a profound shift in identity and belonging. Her childhood home, once a place of comfort, no longer felt like a refuge. Even with her three children by her side, she found no solace in her mother’s embrace.
Zuhal’s journey is a story of strength and perseverance, offering a poignant reflection on the complexities of holding a family together. We are confident that this emotionally powerful series will resonate deeply with audiences and become a major success on television. We look forward to sharing it with all of our clients soon.
What can you share about the experience of A Promessa in SIC? A Promessa‘s experience on SIC in Portugal has been a success, demonstrating how well Turkish formats can be adapted to resonate with local audiences. It highlights the strength of Turkish storytelling, not just as finished content but as adaptable formats that can thrive in different cultural contexts.
How big of a focus are format sales for KDI at the moment, and how do you see this area growing in the future? At Kanal D International, the home of Turkish evergreen titles with strong storytelling, format sales have become an increasingly important focus as the demand for localized versions of popular Turkish series grows globally. While Turkish dramas have long captivated international viewers, format sales allow us to tap into new markets and cultures by enabling local adaptations. This strategy not only opens up new revenue streams but also strengthens our relationships with global partners by providing more flexibility and creative collaboration.
