Kanal D Calls Turkish Dramas Turkey’s Soft Power at MIPCOM

Kanal D has brought its drama catalogue to MIPCOM 2026 in Cannes, and a senior executive used the occasion to describe Turkish dramas as soft power. Murat Yancı, head of Demirören Medya’s TV group, said the series reach about 1 billion people worldwide. The fair runs until 15 October.

Soft power means a country’s ability to build influence through culture and image rather than force or money. Yancı argued that Turkish series do exactly that, and that Turkey should recognise and use this strength.

What Murat Yancı said about Turkish dramas and soft power

According to CNN Türk, Yancı said the sector’s series export revenue reached about 1 billion dollars last year. These are his figures, and the report does not name a source for them. He said the series carry Turkish culture and the Turkish language abroad.

He also described the dramas as a tool that works on the country’s behalf in a diplomatic sense. In his view, they help strengthen Turkey’s international image.

Yancı pointed to tourism as one example. He cited Uzak Şehir, a Kanal D series that he said was nominated for an Emmy. Viewers, he said, travel to Mardin to feel the atmosphere and see the filming locations. He added that Istanbul draws visitors in a similar way.

He also said that props, furniture and jewellery seen in the series attract international interest. He called on the industry and the public to support local productions.

The Kanal D catalogue on show in Cannes

Kanal D sells its programmes to foreign buyers under the Kanal D International name. Its current titles at the fair are Daha 17, Haysiyet and Güller ve Günahlar. Posters for these series appeared on outdoor advertising spaces and digital screens across Cannes, not only at the trade-fair venue.

The stand also features earlier titles. These include İnci Taneleri, Veda Mektubu, Üç Kız Kardeş and Yalan. The channel also presents two cult favourites, Aşk-ı Memnu and Fatmagül’ün Suçu Ne?.

Why MIPCOM matters for Turkish series

MIPCOM is an international trade fair where broadcasters, distributors and platforms buy and sell television content. CNN Türk reports that more than 10,000 industry representatives from over 100 countries attend, along with about 3,000 companies. The event takes place at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès.

The report says many new deals are expected with buyers in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, the Balkans and Latin America. No specific agreement has been announced yet, so any sale remains an expectation for now.

For international viewers, such fairs often decide which Turkish series reach their screens. The fair closes on 15 October, when further announcements from Kanal D or other Turkish distributors may follow.

Source: CNN Türk
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