TRT to launch an International Streaming Service

By Justin Mays:

Turkey’s public broadcasting agency, Turkish Radio and Television Corporation, TRT has become a global leader in media and communications and is looking to corner even more of the global market with its announcement that it will establish an international digital platform akin to Netflix in 2023. While Turkish television programs have long been popular throughout the world and used as a soft diplomacy tool, TRT has also become a worldwide behemoth for providing quality news, sports, documentaries, and more. 

The announcement that TRT is making its first foray into streaming and original programming rivaling major global stakeholders like Netflix and Disney was made at the Stratcom Youth: International Young Communicators Forum by TRT Director-General Mehmed Zahid Sobaci. This youth event in the southern resort city of Antalya was hosted by the Presidency’s Directorate of Communications and hosted students from around the world. TRT’s international digital platform will be producing original content and will be investing more money in producing games. To date, hundreds of Turkish series and movies have already been sold in over 100 different countries and have become one of their most popular exports. 

This is not TRT’s first foray into the international arena. TRT hosts the annual TRT World Forum, bringing together leaders and changemakers from around the globe. TRT also recently launched a French-language platform in April 2022. Looking to differentiate its content from other international media outlets, the French channel will join TRT’s English, German, Arabic, and Russian international branches. Broadcasting on TV, radio, and using social media platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram these platforms are accessible throughout the world and offer a wonderful insight into local and international news.