Turkish lawmakers press Netflix on content policies, subscriber numbers

Netflix executives faced rigorous questioning in the Turkish Parliament’s Digital Platforms Commission on Thursday, revealing both challenges and achievements in their operations while addressing concerns about content policies and transparency.

Global impact of Turkish content on Netflix

Netflix Türkiye’s Public Policy Director Pelin Mavili unveiled impressive statistics about Turkish content’s international reach during Wednesday’s Digital Platforms Commission hearing.

According to Mavili, Turkish productions have become a global phenomenon, with content regularly appearing in Netflix’s worldwide top 10 lists across 92 countries.

“In 2024 alone, Turkish content occupied global top 10 positions for 27 out of 52 weeks,” Mavili reported.

The success extends beyond regional markets, with Turkish shows finding audiences in unexpected territories including the United States, Brazil, Australia, and various European countries, as confirmed by Senior Communications Manager Ozgur Artanc Savas.

A particularly notable revelation was that 80% of views for Turkish productions come from international audiences within their first four weeks of release, demonstrating the global appeal of Turkish entertainment.

Netflix’s economic and employment impact on Türkiye

The streaming service has established a substantial presence in Türkiye’s creative industry. Operating from its Istanbul office, Netflix has developed approximately 60 local productions and collaborated with 80 production and distribution partners.

“We’ve provided employment to 13,000 people through our projects,” Mavili stated, adding that 16 new creative professionals made their industry debut through Netflix projects.

Mavili emphasized the sector’s economic potential, projecting that the creative ecosystem will account for 3% of total employment by 2030, growing faster than other sectors of the real economy.

“We’re discussing a sector that doesn’t depend on imports but has significant export capacity in terms of services,” she explained.

Netflix content controversy and regulatory compliance to Türkiye

The hearing also addressed several controversial issues, including the platform’s handling of sensitive content. When questioned about the Greek-Cypriot series “Famagusta,” which sparked debate over its portrayal of Türkiye’s Cyprus operation, Mavili clarified the company’s position.

“This wasn’t a Netflix original production,” she explained, noting that the show was acquired through their Italy office for the Greek market. Following consultations with RTUK, Türkiye’s media regulator, the content was restricted to its original market, and the third season was not acquired by Netflix.

Responding to questions about LGBTQ+ content, Mavili emphasized Netflix’s commitment to inclusive representation while adhering to local regulations.

“We aim to be a platform where everyone can see themselves reflected, but this isn’t due to lobby pressure,” she stated. All LGBTQ+-related content is labeled as 18+ in compliance with RTUK guidelines.

The company faced criticism from parliamentarians when executives declined to publicly disclose subscriber numbers in Türkiye, citing trade secrets. While Mavili offered to share these figures in a closed session, the decision drew scrutiny from commission members concerned about transparency.

Netflix’s challenges and future regulations in Türkiye

Commission Chairman Huseyin Yayman highlighted broader concerns about digital platforms, particularly regarding online gambling and betting sites.

“This has become a national security issue,” Yayman stated, emphasizing the need for updated regulatory frameworks to address digital-age challenges.

“We need to update the state’s software on this matter,” Yayman explained, noting that analog-era legal frameworks are insufficient for addressing current digital gambling and betting issues. He called for a comprehensive approach to protecting families and children from digital threats, including cyberbullying, digital addiction, and hate crimes.

The commission announced that Family Minister Mahinur Ozdemir Goktas will join discussions on Jan. 30 to address digital addiction, gaming site regulations, and social media age restrictions.

Throughout the hearing, Netflix positioned itself as a cultural bridge, facilitating the global distribution of Turkish content while maintaining sensitivity to local concerns.

Mavili emphasized that the platform operates under RTUK’s license and subjects all content to editorial control.

The company also addressed concerns about content removal, including the recent case of a Palestinian collection, which Mavili explained was due to expired licensing rights rather than political considerations.