Calinos Entertainment Celebrates 25 Years of Success
This year, the pioneer Turkish distribution company Calinos Entertainment is celebrating its 25th anniversary. During this time, Calinos has achieved a number of milestones on the international market and continues to be among the leading distributors defining new TV drama trends on a global scale.
Fırat Gülgen, Founder of Calinos Entertainment, talks to Yako Molhov about the company’s success stories, bestsellers, the new MIPCOM catalog, and plans for international co-production projects.
Fırat Gülgen, Founder of Calinos Entertainment, talks to Yako Molhov about the company’s success stories, bestsellers, the new MIPCOM catalog, and plans for international co-production projects.
Hidden Garden
Fırat, Calinos Entertainment is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. You are the first Turkish company to export Turkish series, movies and TV shows on the international market. How are you marking this anniversary and what have been your greatest successes so far?
Founded in 1999, Calinos Entertainment is the first Turkish company to export Turkish series, movies and TV shows internationally. It is also the first Turkish company to work with Universal Studios and Paramount Pictures.
Calinos Entertainment was the first to sell Turkish content abroad, the drama Wild Heart to Kazakhstan, in 2001. The success of Wild Heart was so big in Kazakhstan that it has already been aired 14 times in the country, which is a world record for a series in one country. And it was always a success. Word spread quickly and we started selling in other CIS countries, Georgia, the Balkans, CEE, the Middle East. Ten years ago, Latin America joined and today we are in North America, Asia, Western Europe, also growing in Africa. Every year we add new countries, new partners.
For the last decade The Girl Named Feriha, Our Story, Woman and Forbidden Fruit are the most successful shows in the globe from the phenomenal Calinos catalog. Even at the moment these dramas continue to add new success to their rate cards.
As “The First Turkish TV Series Broadcasted in Primetime on a Western European National Channel”, Woman has reached more than 1 million viewers on Spain’s Antena 3 and has made a tremendous impact in more than 90 countries it was aired including the U.S. With its second season on Univision, it became the most-watched daily TV show in the US Hispanic primetime.
Last but not the least, this summer it has been acquired and broadcasted by Record, the second largest Free TV network in Brazil, as the first Turkish drama Brazil bought after many years.
One of the long-lasting dramas in Turkish drama history, Forbidden Fruit continues to widen its fandom around the world in 2024 and has been sold in more than 70 countries. It became “The Best Fiction Premiere in A Decade” in its slot on Antena 3 in Spain and was listed among “The Most Watched TV Shows of The Day” on Chilevisión in Chile.
How many hours of content do you have in your catalog?
As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we’ve sold approximately 130.000 hours of TV programming to over 105 countries across five continents, distributing more than 200 programs. Our distribution volume continues to grow year over year.
Are you looking to enter new territories, what are your objectives in the next few years?
As I mentioned before, we are already reaching more than 105 countries on 5 continents. The expansion in new territories comes in line with the change in the broadcasting technology. The rise of streaming platforms has made Turkish dramas more accessible to international viewers and new countries arrive with this wave. Even Brazil returned to broadcasting Turkish drama in the primetime after many years.
We are also expanding our catalog by incorporating award-winning, highly-rated global series. This strategic move highlights our commitment to offering diverse, high-quality content that connects with global audiences. By adding these acclaimed titles, we aim to enrich our offerings and enhance our competitive position in the international market.
Moreover, we are strengthening our growth through co-productions with several international companies and distributing local adaptations of our Turkish series.
What do you think are the factors that keep viewers across the world tuned in for Turkish drama? What would you say are the latest trends in Turkish series?
The growth of Turkish drama worldwide can be attributed to several key factors. First, the storytelling is rich and multifaceted, incorporating universal themes like love, family, and social issues that resonate with diverse audiences. High production quality, characterized by stunning visuals and well-crafted narratives, also plays a significant role. The rise of streaming platforms has also helped to expand the popularity of Turkish actors.
Additionally, cultural elements, such as traditional music and relatable family dynamics, offer a glimpse into Turkish culture while maintaining a universal appeal. Overall, engaging storytelling, high production values, and strategic distribution have solidified Turkish dramas’ position in the global entertainment landscape, fueling their ongoing growth.
You recently announced that you have secured the rights to Hidden Garden. What can viewers expect from this new Turkish drama?
Produced by TMC Film, starring Ebru Sahin and Murat Yildirim, Hidden Garden is packed with compelling themes of love, loss and family secrets, which we believe will resonate deeply with audiences around the globe. With its internationally recognized cast and engaging storyline, Hidden Garden has all the elements for international success. The compelling storyline delves into complex relationships and emotional journeys, drawing audiences into the characters’ lives and struggles.
The premium drama showcases diverse personalities that allow viewers from different cultures to find relatable characters. Its exploration of universal themes, such as love, sacrifice, and the intricacies of family dynamics, resonates across cultural boundaries, fostering a deep emotional connection with the audience. Additionally, the high production quality, featuring stunning visuals and meticulous attention to detail, enhances the viewing experience.
What are the other highlights in the catalog that you are bringing to MIPCOM?
The headliner Turkish drama of our catalog, Hidden Garden, will be followed by Farah, the star of 2023, and EGO. The global star in the catalog is Indefensible which continues with its 3rd season on Canada’s TVA. Last year, it was awarded “The Best Daily Series” at the 38th Prix Gémeaux Awards. We have another Pixcom drama called Alert Squad which recently won four prestigious awards at the 39th Prix Gémeaux Awards: Best Drama Series, Best Lead Actor and Best Supporting Actor an Actress. The successful crime drama will continue with the second part of its 4th season this fall on TVA.
In addition to these Canadian crime dramas, we have 6 award-winning Serbian series from Telekom Serbia: Tycoon, The Clan, No Tress-passing, The Only Way Out, The Name of People and The Well.
Calinos Entertainment’s mission is to spread joy to global audiences, to make them “enjoy the drama”. Therefore, we always work to thrive and plan to expand our global catalog, too. So, we are open to any potential dramas from any region.
Are you planning more co-productions with Turkish and international partners?
We are currently working on a remake in Spain of a Turkish series from our catalog. Additionally, we have started working on a script for an epic drama series for a platform in the US. We have started working on a film of a book inspired by a true story by obtaining the book rights of an important author whose books are best sellers in Europe. We are planning co-production projects by developing stories not only in Turkey, but also in Europe and the US. We believe that having our stories made abroad and distributing them will bring us new global growth.
Founded in 1999, Calinos Entertainment is the first Turkish company to export Turkish series, movies and TV shows internationally. It is also the first Turkish company to work with Universal Studios and Paramount Pictures.
Calinos Entertainment was the first to sell Turkish content abroad, the drama Wild Heart to Kazakhstan, in 2001. The success of Wild Heart was so big in Kazakhstan that it has already been aired 14 times in the country, which is a world record for a series in one country. And it was always a success. Word spread quickly and we started selling in other CIS countries, Georgia, the Balkans, CEE, the Middle East. Ten years ago, Latin America joined and today we are in North America, Asia, Western Europe, also growing in Africa. Every year we add new countries, new partners.
For the last decade The Girl Named Feriha, Our Story, Woman and Forbidden Fruit are the most successful shows in the globe from the phenomenal Calinos catalog. Even at the moment these dramas continue to add new success to their rate cards.
As “The First Turkish TV Series Broadcasted in Primetime on a Western European National Channel”, Woman has reached more than 1 million viewers on Spain’s Antena 3 and has made a tremendous impact in more than 90 countries it was aired including the U.S. With its second season on Univision, it became the most-watched daily TV show in the US Hispanic primetime.
Last but not the least, this summer it has been acquired and broadcasted by Record, the second largest Free TV network in Brazil, as the first Turkish drama Brazil bought after many years.
One of the long-lasting dramas in Turkish drama history, Forbidden Fruit continues to widen its fandom around the world in 2024 and has been sold in more than 70 countries. It became “The Best Fiction Premiere in A Decade” in its slot on Antena 3 in Spain and was listed among “The Most Watched TV Shows of The Day” on Chilevisión in Chile.
How many hours of content do you have in your catalog?
As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we’ve sold approximately 130.000 hours of TV programming to over 105 countries across five continents, distributing more than 200 programs. Our distribution volume continues to grow year over year.
Alert Squad
Are you looking to enter new territories, what are your objectives in the next few years?
As I mentioned before, we are already reaching more than 105 countries on 5 continents. The expansion in new territories comes in line with the change in the broadcasting technology. The rise of streaming platforms has made Turkish dramas more accessible to international viewers and new countries arrive with this wave. Even Brazil returned to broadcasting Turkish drama in the primetime after many years.
We are also expanding our catalog by incorporating award-winning, highly-rated global series. This strategic move highlights our commitment to offering diverse, high-quality content that connects with global audiences. By adding these acclaimed titles, we aim to enrich our offerings and enhance our competitive position in the international market.
Moreover, we are strengthening our growth through co-productions with several international companies and distributing local adaptations of our Turkish series.
What do you think are the factors that keep viewers across the world tuned in for Turkish drama? What would you say are the latest trends in Turkish series?
The growth of Turkish drama worldwide can be attributed to several key factors. First, the storytelling is rich and multifaceted, incorporating universal themes like love, family, and social issues that resonate with diverse audiences. High production quality, characterized by stunning visuals and well-crafted narratives, also plays a significant role. The rise of streaming platforms has also helped to expand the popularity of Turkish actors.
Additionally, cultural elements, such as traditional music and relatable family dynamics, offer a glimpse into Turkish culture while maintaining a universal appeal. Overall, engaging storytelling, high production values, and strategic distribution have solidified Turkish dramas’ position in the global entertainment landscape, fueling their ongoing growth.
You recently announced that you have secured the rights to Hidden Garden. What can viewers expect from this new Turkish drama?
Produced by TMC Film, starring Ebru Sahin and Murat Yildirim, Hidden Garden is packed with compelling themes of love, loss and family secrets, which we believe will resonate deeply with audiences around the globe. With its internationally recognized cast and engaging storyline, Hidden Garden has all the elements for international success. The compelling storyline delves into complex relationships and emotional journeys, drawing audiences into the characters’ lives and struggles.
The premium drama showcases diverse personalities that allow viewers from different cultures to find relatable characters. Its exploration of universal themes, such as love, sacrifice, and the intricacies of family dynamics, resonates across cultural boundaries, fostering a deep emotional connection with the audience. Additionally, the high production quality, featuring stunning visuals and meticulous attention to detail, enhances the viewing experience.
Adım Farah
What are the other highlights in the catalog that you are bringing to MIPCOM?
The headliner Turkish drama of our catalog, Hidden Garden, will be followed by Farah, the star of 2023, and EGO. The global star in the catalog is Indefensible which continues with its 3rd season on Canada’s TVA. Last year, it was awarded “The Best Daily Series” at the 38th Prix Gémeaux Awards. We have another Pixcom drama called Alert Squad which recently won four prestigious awards at the 39th Prix Gémeaux Awards: Best Drama Series, Best Lead Actor and Best Supporting Actor an Actress. The successful crime drama will continue with the second part of its 4th season this fall on TVA.
In addition to these Canadian crime dramas, we have 6 award-winning Serbian series from Telekom Serbia: Tycoon, The Clan, No Tress-passing, The Only Way Out, The Name of People and The Well.
Calinos Entertainment’s mission is to spread joy to global audiences, to make them “enjoy the drama”. Therefore, we always work to thrive and plan to expand our global catalog, too. So, we are open to any potential dramas from any region.
Are you planning more co-productions with Turkish and international partners?
We are currently working on a remake in Spain of a Turkish series from our catalog. Additionally, we have started working on a script for an epic drama series for a platform in the US. We have started working on a film of a book inspired by a true story by obtaining the book rights of an important author whose books are best sellers in Europe. We are planning co-production projects by developing stories not only in Turkey, but also in Europe and the US. We believe that having our stories made abroad and distributing them will bring us new global growth.
