Turkey: Winning Arab world hearts, minds through soaps
Top Turkish export, ousts American series
10 July, 18:59
(ANSAMed) - ANKARA, JULY 10 - Turkish soap operas have become the country's top export over the past decade, and are conquering hearts, minds, and market share throughout the Arab world with their combination of Turkish stars playing hip, sexy and independent-minded characters who experience the travails of love in over-the-top Bollywood-style sets. With 100 serials sold in over 20 countries all over the Mediterranean area at a yearly income of 60 million dollars, Turkey's flourishing soap opera industry has out-rivaled the American one, with some of its titles, such as Valley of the Wolves and Forbidden Love, breaking all audience records in the Middle East. The two top performers are Nour, whose female lead plays a beautiful, modern and emancipated Istanbul girl and starring Kivanc Tatlitug, the Turkish equivalent of Brad Pitt, and Muhtesum Yuzil, a retelling the story of Suleiman the Magnificent with Turkish hearthrob Halit Ergenc in the lead.
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