Discovery launches TLC in Turkey via Doğuş partnership

James Gibbons

Discovery Communications is to launch its female-focused TLC channel in Turkey following its acquisition of Turkish national free to air entertainment channel CNBC-e from Doğuş Media Group.

Launching this November, the new channel will replace CNBC-e and offer a mix of non-scripted and scripted international entertainment and lifestyle programming.

Content will include Fear the Walking Dead and Aquarius plus the British period drama Poldark, as well as OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network shows Oprah Prime and Oprah’s Master Class.

Shows previously on CNBC-e will also feature, including The Vikings, Hannibal and sitcom Mike & Molly. 

The completion of the CNBC-e acquisition comes as Discovery looks to implement the next stage in its strategic relationship with Doğuş Media Group, to expand its channel portfolio in Turkey, strengthen its ad sales offer and reinforce its position in the region. Doğuş was recently appointed as Discovery’s exclusive ad sales representative in Turkey, tasked, under the leadership of James Gibbons in London and Sissian Margos, General Manger, Discovery Networks Turkey, in Istanbul, to sell Discovery’s commercial portfolio, which with the addition of TLC now consists of four channels, including Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and Discovery Science.

“Today marks a new era in our Turkish business, as we close our deal with Doğuş Media Group to acquire CNBC-e and announce the launch of TLC – Discovery’s leading lifestyle and entertainment channel brand and first free to air channel in the growing Turkish market,” said James Gibbons, EVP & Country Manager, Emerging Business, Discovery Networks CEEMEA. “Discovery successfully runs both Pay-TV and free to air 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.”

Doğuş Media Group’s chairman Erman Yerdelen said: “As Doğuş Media Group, 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. 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. We look forward to working alongside Discovery on future projects and offering even more surprises for Turkish viewers.”