Warner Bros. Discovery acquires Turkish SVOD platform BluTV

In order to solidify its presence in the ever-evolving streaming landscape, Warner Bros. Discovery has successfully acquired BluTV, marking a significant milestone in the media giant’s expansion efforts. BluTV, Turkey’s premier subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) service, has been at the forefront of the country’s digital entertainment revolution since its inception in 2016.

The acquisition comes after a fruitful three-year partnership between Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) and BluTV, during which WBD secured a substantial 35% ownership stake in BluTV. This collaboration laid the foundation for BluTV’s remarkable growth in both original content production and its expansive content library.

BluTV was launched in Turkey back in 2016 and two years later expanded to the Middle East and Northern Africa (MENA) region in 2018. The SVOD platform is also available globally to Turkish- and Arabic-speaking audiences. BluTV’s success story reached new heights in 2021 with the introduction of Discovery+ on its platform. This move not only strengthened the streaming service’s position in the Turkish market but also enriched its offerings for viewers. 

The platform’s expansion continued in February, with the incorporation of highly sought-after HBO content and dedicated children’s channels. Viewers gained access to beloved channels such as Cartoon Network and Cartoonito, along with iconic shows like “The Last of Us,” “Game of Thrones,” and “Sex and the City.”

Deniz Şaşmaz Oflaz, CEO of BluTV, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating, “We are very happy that our strategic partnership with Discovery Inc. has resulted in us becoming one of the Warner Bros. Discovery brands today. As Turkey’s leading local subscription video platform, we are proud that our steady growth since day one has made us a part of one of the largest media companies in the world.” Oflaz highlighted the platform’s commitment to blending the best local stories with global content, aiming to curate Turkey’s strongest streaming platform and share successful local stories with a global audience.

Jamie Cooke, General Manager for Central and Eastern Europe of the Middle East and Turkey at Warner Bros. Discovery, emphasized Turkey’s significance as an investment territory, spanning over two decades. Cooke sees the BluTV acquisition as a pivotal step, bringing Turkey’s first local SVOD player into Warner Bros. Discovery’s expansive portfolio. He noted, “The combination of compelling Turkish content and a broad range of the best international series and shows from Warner Bros. Discovery is an unbeatable recipe to be locally relevant and successful.” Cooke expressed confidence that together, the two entities would deliver the most compelling viewing experience to Turkish audiences and extend the reach of Turkish content to a global audience.