Discovery gives Turkey some TLC

MIPCOM: Discovery is preparing to launch its TLC channel brand in Turkey after buying free-to-air entertainment channel CNBC-e from the country’s Doğuş Media Group.

James Gibbons

TLC, which will replace CNBC-e in November, signals the arrival of Discovery’s first FTA channel in the Turkish market, strengthening its local portfolio to four networks, alongside Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and Discovery Science.

James Gibbons, exec VP and country manager of emerging business for Discovery Networks CEEMEA, said the developments marked a “new era” for the group.

“Discovery successfully runs both pay TV and FTA platforms in a number of markets across Europe, and TLC Turkey will offer a diverse mix of content that adds value to our existing strong portfolio, including dedicated feeds for Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and Discovery Science. TLC is the channel Turkey has been waiting for and we look forward to presenting it to viewers and our commercial partners this November,” he said.

The sale also marks a shift in the strategic partnership Discovery Communications has with Doğuş Media Group, which was recently appointed as Discovery’s exclusive ad sales agents in Turkey for its commercial portfolio.

“We believe Discovery Communications will introduce the Turkish market to a totally new channel, reflecting the latest trends in various types of entertainment under a very strong brand like TLC,” said Doğuş Media Group’s chairman Erman Yerdelen. “Thanks to its strong and diverse programming schedule, we are sure that Turkish viewers will be addicted to TLC Turkey and it will be the leading channel in its genre.”

TLC’s line-up of non-scripted and scripted international entertainment will focus on lifestyle, reality and fact ent programming. It will also include drama such as the premieres of US hit series Fear the Walking Dead and Aquarius; UK costume drama Poldark; and popular OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network series like talkshows Oprah Prime and Oprah’s Master Class.

It will also include returning CNBC-e shows like drama series The Vikings, Hannibal and sitcom Mike & Molly.