ANALYTICAL | THE ENDLESS WORLD OF TV SERIES
SSTR: How profitable was
the series? In which countries
has it been shown? Has the
series been acquired by China
and the US?
Global Agency: Magnificent
Century is the first Turkish drama
series to enter China and the US.
It won the Stars of the Export
Awardby being the highest
earning television series.
SSTR: Tell us the most
interesting and unusual facts
about the series.
Global Agency: After the
series broadcasted in each country,
it doubled the number of foreign
tourists in Turkey. Also, Ottoman jewelry became high-trend in different
lands. In some countries, people were making Ottoman theme parties.
Channels more than doubled their share on time slot.
“After the series broadcasted in each
country, it doubled the number
of foreign tourists in Turkey. Also,
Ottoman jewelry became hightrend in different lands. In some
countries, people were making
Ottoman theme parties. Channels
more than doubled their share on
time slot”.
Conclusion.
We’re very grateful to Global Agency for their illuminating answers.
And in favor of Turkish series we’d like to add another interesting fact:
as you know, India and Pakistan are permanently belligerent states (at a
frozen war conflict with each other), but Indian soap operas are extremely
popular among Pakistan families. Local authorities could not accept this, so
the Supreme Court of Pakistan officially banned films and TV series from
the neighbor state. Meanwhile, Ukraine faces almost the same situation
with many Russian series banned under the current circumstances. But
the most interesting question is: who filled the vacant niche in both states?
There were many candidates, but only Turkish series managed to win.
So, do not be surprised if Ukrainians and Pakistanis decide to combine
watching TV with a cup of Turkish coffee and some delicious Turkish
sweets!
Well, our next stop is not far from our Turkish experts. Let us
travel straight to the neighbor country, Azerbaijan. The country, which
historically has close relations with Turkey, both culturally and linguistically,
nevertheless, always chose its own way of state development in general
and in filmmaking in particular.
AZERBAIJAN, KHAZAR TV
Introduction.
Television was first introduced in Azerbaijan in 1956. Our guest and
expert for the present edition is Khazar TV, which is a public television
channel in Azerbaijan. It was founded in February 2009 by Ahmet Gül,
Turkish entrepreneur, who had previously worked for Samanyolu TV,
Turkey, supervising various major projects. The most interesting fact for
14 | SEASON SCREEN TV REVIEW | ISSUE 5 FEBRUARY 2016
THE ENDLESS WORLD OF TV SERIES | ANALYTICAL
“The most interesting fact for us is
that local TV channels don’t buy
foreign series at all, since they have
enough of their own content!”
us is that local TV channels don’t buy foreign series at all, since they have
enough of their own content!
At present, the most demanded TV products in Azerbaijan are family
dramas and comedies, though the latter enjoy slightly less popularity. Why
family dramas? Because, for historical reasons, family ties are extremely
important in this region. So, if a serious family problem occurs, every
member of this family is concerned. That’s why family breakdowns and
family relations problems have always been and will be interesting for
local viewers. In 2016 Khazar TV is planning to film at least two series:
a family drama and a comedy. So let’s speak about production process
and especially about their two most popular series: My Family and Life –
You’re Wonderful.
TARANA MURADOVA
“At present, the most demanded TV
products in Azerbaijan are family
dramas and comedies, though the
latter enjoy slightly less popularity”.
“We’re shooting 20-25 episodes per
month, with an average budget of
50,000 Azn”.
“We spend 6 months on
preparation: we’re writing the script
and calculating the budget.
We spend another 3 months on
selection of actors and locations.
Then we’re shooting the show by
ourselves, without any further
assistance or co-production”.
Khazar TV
Coordinator For Foreign
Televisions
Interview.
SSTR: Which TV series for the last year did you make by yourself ?
How did you determine what genre and what kind of idea would be
successful?
Khazar TV: Well, we keep shooting our TV series Life – You’re
Wonderful (478 episodes) and My Family (376 episodes). Comedy and
drama are the most popular genres of the Azerbaijan television. But our
viewers also like romances and something connected with revenge. And,
you know, all these: rich-poor, love, revenge, wrong decision of the head of
a household, a foreign law, - we believe exactly these topics are interesting
for our viewers.
SSTR: How much do you spend to produce one of the series?
How many TV series are you shooting per year?
Khazar TV: We’re shooting 20-25 episodes per month, with an average
budget of 50,000 Azn. As for the last year, we focused on two series:
the series Life – You’re Wonderful and My Family.
SSTR: How much, approximately, does it take you to produce TV
series? Do you practice co-production? If yes, can it be international?
Khazar TV: We spend 6 months on preparation: we’re writing the script
and calculating the budget. We spend another 3 months on selection of
actors and locations. Then we’re shooting the show by ourselves, without
any further assistance or co-production.
ISSUE 5 FEBRUARY 2016 | SEASON SCREEN TV REVIEW | 15