Transnational Viewers of Turkish Television Drama Series
Transnational Viewers of Turkish Television Drama Series

Summary/Abstract: Since the mid-2000s, Turkish television drama series have been exported to many countries and attracted an unprecedented transnational audience. However, despite popularity, there is paucity of research focusing on the transnational understanding(s) of Turkish television drama audiences in different geographies. Through a reception analysis of three mostly cited television series among participants Muhteşem Yüzyıl (Magnificent Century), Aşk-ı Memnu (Forbidden Love), Kuzey Güney (North South), this study aimed at offering an understanding beyond overly stated cultural/religious proximity explanations to ascertain traces and elements of empowerment that citizens feel coming through their act of consuming Turkish dramas. For that purpose, in-depth interviews were conducted with Iranian viewers of Turkish television series living in the Austrian capital Vienna. Interpretation of that collected qualitative material suggests re-thinking of the transnational audience’s consumption practices that expand tourism and trade flows and other related businesses between the two countries.

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