The acclaimed actor and star of ATV’s Land of the Sun captivated Cannes, drawing international attention to the broadcaster’s new season title.

The leading star of TIMSBI Productions’ latest drama Land of the Sun, distributed by ATV Distribution, Burak Özçivit attracted considerable attention from international industry professionals, media representatives and fans, making his appearance one of the notable moments of the market.

As Mipcom brought together key players from the global television and media industry, Land of the Sun took its place in ATV’s international showcase. Özçivit also attended ATV’s New Season Launch event, held on the opening day of Mipcom, where the broadcaster presented its upcoming productions to international guests. His participation added further excitement to the international promotion of Land of the Sun, attracting attention both at the exhibition venue and throughout Cannes.

The actor received a warm welcome from fans and visitors across the city, with many eager to meet him and take photographs. His appearance in front of billboards featuring Land of the Sun further raised the series’ profile, adding to its visibility during the international television market.

Burak Özçivit Meets International Industry Professionals at the ATV Stand

At the ATV stand, Özçivit met with international buyers, industry professionals and members of the press, sharing insights into Land of the Sun, his character and the series’ international journey.

Among those interviews, Özçivit spoke exclusively with ttv about portraying Kenan Kozan, the appeal of impossible love and the emotional connection his stories share with Latin American audiences. The full interview is available here.

Özçivit and Burak Sağyaşar, Co-Founder and CEO of TIMSBI Productions and producer of Land of the Sun alongside Timur Savcı, were welcomed by Ali Türkarslan and ATV executives.

Özçivit: “Love Is the Universal Language of Turkish Dramas”

During his interviews at the ATV stand, Özçivit reflected on the international success of Turkish dramas and the universal emotions that enable their stories to resonate with audiences across cultures.

Emphasizing the collective effort behind every successful production, the actor also sent his regards to his co-stars, who were unable to join him in Cannes due to their demanding filming schedule.

Özçivit highlighted love as one of the most powerful themes connecting audiences around the world, noting that viewers from different cultures can relate to the emotions and experiences of the characters they watch. He emphasized that this emotional connection is one of the key factors behind the international success of Turkish dramas.

He also underlined the cultural impact of Turkish productions, explaining that they introduce Turkey’s culture, cities and tourism destinations to audiences worldwide. Speaking about Land of the Sun, Özçivit noted that the series brings this universal emotion to the forefront through his character, Kenan Kozan.

Produced by TIMSBI Productions, with Timur Savcı and Burak Sağyaşar as producers and a screenplay by Yıldız Tunç, Land of the Sun combines a compelling storyline, distinctive characters and a captivating atmosphere, attracting interest from international buyers.

Özçivit’s participation in ATV’s New Season Launch and his appearance at Mipcom 2026 added star power to the broadcaster’s international showcase, further raising the profile of Land of the Sun and highlighting the global appeal of Turkish drama.

La entrada Burak Özçivit Brought Land of the Sun to the Spotlight at Mipcom se publicó primero en TTV News.

The Turkish star traveled to Mipcom Cannes to promote ATV Distribution’s new drama, produced by TIMSBI Productions, and spoke with ttv about portraying Kenan Kozan, the appeal of impossible love and the emotional connection his stories share with Latin American audiences.

*with reporting by Carolina Mussio and Ana Paula Carreira from Cannes, France.

Turkish star Burak Özçivit was among the special guests at Mipcom Cannes 2026, where ATV Distribution invited the actor to promote Land of the Sun (Güneşin Doğduğu Yer), one of its leading new dramas for the international market.

On Monday, October 12, Özçivit visited ATV’s stand at the Palais des Festivals, meeting international buyers, industry executives and members of the press. That evening, he joined the company’s exclusive dinner in Cannes, where ATV presented Land of the Sun and Different Lives to international clients, with the participation of actors and producers from both series.

During the event, Özçivit spoke with ttv about his approach to Kenan Kozan, the protagonist of Land of the Sun, and why passionate, often impossible love stories remain central to his career.

“I already knew what I needed to focus on [when building the performance]. I also drew on my previous experience. I’ve been in this business for more than 20 years now, and I know how to understand and analyze a character. I focused on those emotions I’ve explored in the past to bring Kenan to life,” he explained.

With a career spanning two decades, Özçivit has become one of Turkey’s most internationally recognized actors, starring in major productions such as Magnificent Century (Muhteşem Yüzyıl), Lovebird (Çalıkuşu) and Endless Love (Kara Sevda), the latter winner of the 2017 International Emmy Award for Best Telenovela. He also played the title role in the historical drama Kuruluş Osman from 2019 to 2025, further strengthening his international profile before returning to contemporary romantic drama with Land of the Sun.

Produced by TIMSBI Productions for ATV, Land of the Sun premiered in Turkey on September 17 and is distributed internationally by ATV Distribution. The series is produced by Timur Savcı and Burak Sağyaşar, written by Yıldız Tunç and directed by Çağrı Vila Lostuvalı and Çiğdem Bozali.

The drama follows Kenan Kozan, the son of one of Adana’s most powerful families, whose life changes when he falls in love with Leyla Breger, played by Beyza Gümülcine. Their relationship begins in Germany before taking them to Adana, where family loyalties, secrets and betrayal threaten their future together. Kenan’s relationship with Leyla places him between his family’s expectations and his commitment to the woman he loves, a conflict that Özçivit sees as part of a broader emotional thread running through his work.

“The atmosphere and the locations are different, but the emotion is the same as in my previous projects: a man who is passionately in love with a woman,” he said. “When you love someone, do you let them go or do you fight to keep them by your side? That’s the question we’re exploring. Kenan Kozan never lets go of the love of his life. It’s a passionate love. In my previous projects, I’ve also portrayed men who fight to keep the women they love close to them.”

For Özçivit, the emotional appeal of Turkish dramas is closely connected to their ability to portray universal feelings through intense romantic relationships. It is also something he considers when deciding which projects to take on.

“When I choose a project, I always focus on love, and especially on impossible love. I know how much Latin American viewers appreciate this theme of impossible love and how strongly it resonates with them. That’s also why I value these kinds of stories when choosing a project. They’re the kind of stories that connect with audiences in those countries,” he told ttv.

Asked about the message at the heart of Kenan and Leyla’s story, Özçivit pointed to the character’s determination to hold on to the woman he loves: “The message we want to convey through this story is that if you love someone, you should never let them go. You should never give up on that love,” he explained.

Land of the Sun has also delivered encouraging early results in its domestic market. The series ranked first in Turkey’s AB and ABC1 audience categories with its fourth episode, broadcast on Thursday, October 8. In the Total audience category, it ranked third with a 4.27 rating and a 13.62% audience share.

Its premiere on September 17 had previously recorded a 3.91 rating and 13.31% share in the AB category, while reaching a 4.25 rating and 13.50% share among ABC1 viewers, according to figures reported by ATV from Kantar Media.

The series’ early performance provides a domestic backdrop to ATV Distribution’s international promotion of the drama at Mipcom, where Özçivit’s participation brought the story of Kenan and Leyla directly to international buyers.

Different Lives Stars Join ATV’s Mipcom Celebrations

ATV’s Mipcom activities also featured Different Lives stars Rahimcan Kapkap and Elçin Zehra İrem, who attended the distributor’s VIP dinner on Monday, October 12, meeting international buyers, press and media partners. The following day, the actors visited ATV’s stand at the Palais des Festivals, while billboards promoting the series across Cannes helped raise its profile during the market.

The actors expressed their pride in representing a production brought to life by a team of approximately 300 people. They described their participation in Mipcom as a milestone beyond their expectations and welcomed the opportunity to see audiences from different cultures connect with the story.

Produced by NTC Medya, Different Lives explores the contrasting sides of Istanbul through a young cast and a story centered on social differences. The drama is among ATV Distribution’s key titles presented to international buyers at Mipcom 2026.

La entrada Burak Özçivit on Land of the Sun and the Universal Appeal of Impossible Love se publicó primero en TTV News.

ATV’s Group Head of Sales and Distribution highlighted the international reach of its youth-oriented drama at Mipcom, following its ratings success in Turkey on October 12. The company also promoted Land of the Sun, starring Burak Özçivit, at an exclusive dinner for international buyers in Cannes.

*with reporting by Carolina Mussio and Ana Paula Carreira from Cannes, France.

Different Lives is emerging as one of ATV Distribution’s key international titles, with sales spanning 32 countries and strong ratings in Turkey. Produced by NTC Medya, the drama is being showcased alongside TIMSBI Productions’ Land of the Sun as part of ATV’s promotional activities at Mipcom 2026.

On Monday, October 12, ATV brought together international buyers, business partners and industry representatives for an exclusive dinner in Cannes, attended by Land of the Sun star Burak Özçivit and Different Lives actors Rahimcan Kapkap and Elçin Zehra İrem. The cast also participated in promotional activities at ATV’s stand.

“It was a huge event. We hosted three actors from our series in Cannes. Burak Özçivit, the leading actor of Land of the Sun, came and met with everyone. We also had Rahimcan Kapkap and Elçin Zehra İrem from Different Lives. I think everyone had a great time,” Müge Akar, Group Head of Sales and Distribution at ATV Distribution, told ttv during the market.

Land of the Sun (Güneşin Doğduğu Yer) is a TIMSBI Productions drama starring Burak Özçivit as Kenan Kozan. The story follows the son of a powerful family in Adana whose life changes when he falls in love with Leyla Breger, setting the stage for a conflict involving family loyalties, secrets and cultural differences.

“Land of the Sun is produced by TIMSBI Productions, one of the leading producers in Turkey. They previously produced series such as Bitter Lands, Deception and The Trusted, which also aired on ATV. Now they’re back with Land of the Sun,” Akar explained.

“The story, the setting and the overall production are all very well done. It’s a classic telenovela story, combining love, family betrayal and secrets. It has the perfect combination of all those elements,” she added.

ATV’s other major title, Different Lives (Altı Üstü İstanbul), follows Emir, a talented young footballer from a poor Istanbul neighborhood who dreams of lifting his family out of poverty. Joining the club of a powerful businessman brings him into a world of privilege, rivalries and secrets surrounding his brother’s death.

“Different Lives is produced by NTC Medya, which previously made series such as Orphan Flowers, which was very popular in Latin America, and Love and Hate, another successful title. Now they’re producing Different Lives, a very warm neighborhood story that definitely appeals to younger audiences,” Akar said.

“That’s particularly important today. I speak with broadcasters and digital platforms around the world, and everyone wants to attract younger audiences. This is exactly the kind of content that can help them do that.”

“Having well-known actors and actresses always helps. It’s much easier to market a series when you have recognizable names,” she explained.

Different Lives Leads Ratings and Expands International Sales

On Monday, October 12, coinciding with the opening of Mipcom, Different Lives topped Turkey’s television ratings across all three major audience categories: Total, with a 7.51 rating; AB, with 4.80; and ABC1, with 7.05, according to TİAK figures reported by Turkish media.

Meanwhile, Land of the Sun, which premiered on September 17, recorded ratings of 4.27 in Total, 3.49 in AB and 4.43 in ABC1 for its fourth episode, broadcast on October 8.

“Interest has been really high. We’re very happy with these three days at Mipcom, and I think we’ll be announcing many deals for both series after the market,” Akar said.

“In fact, Different Lives is already available in 32 countries. Since it started during the summer, we have more episodes available and we’ve had more time to pitch it to buyers. It’s already available in the Middle East, North Africa and the CIS region, which is a significant success for us,” she said. “I think we’ll be adding many more countries, including for Land of the Sun. I’m expecting a lot of new deals,” Akar concluded.

La entrada Müge Akar, ATV Distribution: “Different Lives Is Already Available in 32 Countries” se publicó primero en TTV News.

The series successfully launched its screen journey with strong audience engagement and quickly emerged as the best premiere of the summer season.

ATV Distribution’s highly anticipated new Turkish drama Different Lives (Altı Üstü İstanbul) made an impressive debut last night, capturing viewers’ attention with its compelling story, emotional depth, and authentic portrayal of Istanbul’s contrasting worlds.

Bringing together themes of family, friendship, ambition, love, and justice, Different Lives tells the story of Emir, a talented young football player from one of Istanbul’s underprivileged neighborhoods. Determined to lift his family out of poverty and fulfill his father’s unfinished dream, Emir’s life takes an unexpected turn following a tragic incident that forever changes the course of his future. As hidden truths gradually surface, rivalries intensify, loyalties are tested, and relationships become increasingly complicated, drawing viewers into a powerful and emotional journey.

The series stands out with its dynamic cast, heartfelt neighborhood atmosphere, and emotionally engaging storytelling that reflects the realities of modern Istanbul. By exploring the collision of different social backgrounds and life experiences, Different Lives offers a universal narrative that resonates far beyond local audiences.

“We are very pleased with the strong start of Different Lives,” shared Muge Akar, Group Head of Sales & Distribution at ATV Distribution. “With its emotional storytelling, relatable characters, and universal themes, we believe the series has strong potential to connect with audiences both in Türkiye and internationally.”

The premiere episode generated significant buzz across social media platforms, where viewers praised the series’ strong performances, emotional storytelling, and high production quality. Industry expectations had already pointed to a promising launch, and the first episode successfully delivered on those forecasts with an outstanding premiere performance.

La entrada ATV’s New Drama Different Lives Makes a Strong Debut se publicó primero en TTV News.

The Turkish distributor is present in Croatia for NEM Dubrovnik with a vast catalog of dramas with proven success, and is already preparing brand new titles for the new season.

With production by Luis Cabrera, from Croatia

In one of the toughest TV markets in the world, dramas in Turkey must fight for their spot against fierce competition, something ATV knows first-hand and has been able to conquer this past season with some of the highest-rated shows on air.

“It was a very busy season for us,” began in conversation with ttvnews Muge Akar, Sales Director at ATV, from the current edition of NEM Dubrovnik. “We had A.B.I., A Broken Inheritance, which started in January this year. And it was a quite successful title. It ranked as the leader across all ratings demographics. It was number one since the beginning.”

The series just concluded its first season and in September it’s coming back with its second one, the executive revealed. “That’s very good news,” she noted, also highlighting the excellent performance of The Ottoman, which is now on season seven.

Historical dramas such as The Ottoman work very well in the CEE region, she explained. “Of course, we’ve closed more deals over on this side of Europe,” she explained. “Especially in CEE, they are quite high performing. Compared to Latam, for instance, historical titles are working much more in this part of the world.”

However, titles such as The Nightfall have been sold successfully across the Latam region, where it is yet to make its debut due to the World Cup. And having that first premiere in another country outside of Turkey is always helpful, as buyers see good results and are more inclined to reach out.

“It’s the same here in Europe,” she said. “They also wait for the others to go on air. There are some key territories that they follow. For example, in Latam it’s Chile. And here in Europe, you could say it’s Romania, or Spain.”

As for the upcoming months, ATV is already preparing a summer title, as well as new ones for the fall season.

“We have one summer title coming up in June,” she said. “And we are working on new projects for September, which will be the next season. We have three titles coming up.”

La entrada ATV Announces New Titles for the Upcoming Season se publicó primero en TTV News.

In an interview with ttvnews from LA Screenings, Fabiola Flores Cortes, Sales Executive for Latin America at the Turkish distributor, celebrates the Turkish drama’s ratings success and confirms its renewal for a second season.

Produced by Luis Cabrera, from Los Angeles

Undoubtedly one of the breakout hits of the current television season in Turkey, A.B.I. (A Broken Inheritance) has quickly become one of the most popular dramas of the moment. Since its premiere on January 13, it has consistently topped the ratings in all categories.

Produced by OGM Pictures and broadcast on ATV, A.B.I. tells the story of Doğan’s return to Istanbul years after a shocking incident with his father led him to break with his family. Now, at his sister Melek’s insistence, he attends another brother’s wedding. But his return unearths long-buried traumas and hidden crimes within the family, while Doğan meets Çağla, a young lawyer with a strong sense of justice.

Directed by Cem Karci and written by Eylem Canpolat, A.B.I. stars Kenan Imirzalıoğlu, in his return to television, alongside Afra Saraçoğlu as Çağla, Diren Polatoğulları as Behram, Asude Kelebek as Melek, Sinan Tuzcu as Sinan, and Tarık Papuççuoğlu as Tahir, among others.

The hit drama leads ATV Distribution’s catalog this week at the current LA Screenings, where, as a major development, the distributor announced its renewal for a second season.

“A.B.I. is truly the crown jewel, the flagship of our catalog,” said Fabiola Flores Cortes, Sales Executive for Latin America at the Turkish distributor, in an interview with ttvnews. “It’s a title that has achieved excellent ratings in a highly competitive market like Turkey, exceeding all expectations.”

“We are very pleased to announce that it will have a second season,” she revealed.

“It’s a title we’ve been promoting since January, and we’ve seen a very positive reception at this market. Buyers have expressed interest in the series, so we expect to begin announcing sales in Latin America after this market,” she predicted.

Another major title shining in ATV Distribution’s catalog is The Nightfall, which has conquered several international markets since its premiere in Turkey. “The Nightfall is also one of the titles we are promoting. This title has been placed in Mexico, Panama, and Chile, and we truly believe it has tremendous potential and can be placed in other territories.”

Starring Burak Deniz and Su Burcu Yazgı Coşkun, The Nightfall centers on Mahir, a police inspector who returns to his hometown after two decades, haunted by his father’s murder. But fate intervenes when he falls in love with Canfeza, the daughter of the man he believes responsible. What begins as a quest for revenge transforms into a night of reckoning when an unexpected twist at her wedding changes everything.

“Without a doubt, A.B.I. and The Nightfall are our biggest content stars this season,” the executive emphasized.

La entrada ATV Distribution Announces the Second Season of A.B.I. se publicó primero en TTV News.

The first episode of the new title, distributed internationally by ATV Distribution, achieved a 9.81 rating and 23.83 share in Total, the best numbers for a Turkish premiere in seven years.

ATV’s highly anticipated new drama, A.B.I. (A Broken Inheritance), distributed by ATV Distribution, made a powerful premiere last night, January 13, 2026, ranking as the number one program across all rating categories and achieving the highest-rated series premiere in the last 7 years in Total Individuals.

The premiere delivered outstanding results across key audience segments, achieving 9.81 rating and 23.83 share in Total, 7.37 rating and 19.79 share in AB, and 9.98 rating and 23.75 share in 20+ABC, “confirming its broad and high-value audience appeal”, said the distributor.

Starring two of Turkey’s most celebrated actors, Kenan Imirzalıoğlu and Afra Saracoglu, A.B.I. captivated audiences from its very first episode with its gripping narrative, cinematic production quality, and emotionally charged performances. With its powerful storytelling, complex characters, and strong emotional depth, A.B.I. has already established a deep connection with viewers.

Produced by OGM Pictures, A.B.I. follows Dogan, a successful surgeon living in Izmir who severed ties with his powerful family years ago after a traumatic incident involving his father, Tahir Hancıoglu. Leaving Istanbul behind meant leaving both his family and his childhood, allowing him to build a life devoted solely to saving lives. His only remaining connection to his past is his younger sister, Melek.

After years of absence, Dogan returns to Istanbul at Melek’s request to attend his sister Gulusan’s wedding, a visit that reopens old wounds and exposes long-hidden family secrets. During this time, he meets Cagla, a determined young lawyer shaped by her sister Mahinur’s unresolved trauma. As their paths cross, a deep bond forms between them.

An attempted murder on the wedding night becomes a turning point, drawing Dogan into a dangerous web of secrets, betrayal, and suspicion—where even members of his own family emerge as suspects. Now, Dogan must decide whether to leave once again or stay and confront the dark truth at the heart of his family.

“Kenan Imirzalıoglu and Afra Saracoglu are both internationally celebrated actors, with Afra’s global recognition further boosted by her lead role in Golden Boy,” shared Müge Akar, Head of Sales at ATV Distribution. “Their pairing, combined with a gripping, high-quality script and strong production values, makes A.B.I. one of the most anticipated titles in our slate. The entire creative team is extremely excited about the project, and we firmly believe it will capture international attention from its very first episode.”

La entrada ATV’s A.B.I. Achieves the Highest-Rated Series Premiere of the Season in Turkey se publicó primero en TTV News.

To close out the first day of the event, the Turkish distributor held a spectacular private dinner at the Carlton Hotel in Cannes to present its new releases for the upcoming season.

*Produced by Luis Cabrera and Ana Paula Carreira, from Cannes, France

Always a key player at each edition of Mipcom, ATV Distribution came to Cannes with the goal of demonstrating the power of Turkish drama and celebrating the success of its catalog.

To close out the first day of the event, the Turkish distributor held a spectacular private dinner at the Carlton Hotel in Cannes to present its new releases for the upcoming season.

“I’m so happy to see you all here tonight: our partners, friends, and producers. It’s always a pleasure to gather at Mipcom and share the stories that connect us,” said Muge Akar, Sales Director of ATV Distribution.

“ATV continues to bring powerful Turkish dramas to audiences around the world. We’re proud to see how our stories resonate across so many cultures.”

Among the featured titles, the group presented Stranger in the Mirror, The Ottoman, Queen of Tears, and Hidden Destiny; and their latest drama, Waves of Love, with the presence of its stars, Halit Özgür Sarı and Özge Yağız.

The actors addressed the audience, describing the show as “more than a series, an exciting adventure,” and took photos with several attendees who couldn’t resist the temptation to take their own souvenir from the dinner.

La entrada ATV Distribution Presents Its New Releases at Mipcom se publicó primero en TTV News.