04.11.2026 10:05
The decline in advertising revenues in the television industry has changed the broadcast schedule of beloved series. Last week, while the new episodes of 6 series did not air, 4 productions also did not meet viewers on the evening of November 3, when the Galatasaray-Stuttgart match was played. It was claimed that 40 percent of advertising breaks remained empty, while it was stated that channels asked producers to reduce costs.
Turkish television is experiencing one of the most striking economic crises of recent years. Due to rising production costs and declining advertising revenues, channels have begun to make changes to the broadcast schedules of high-budget series. In particular, the fact that new episodes are not aired on evenings with football matches and special events has aroused curiosity among viewers. It is stated that the wave of consecutive postponement decisions is driven by the advertising contraction in the television sector.
SIX SERIES DID NOT AIR IN ONE WEEK
The economic difficulties experienced by television channels were first reflected in last week's broadcast schedules. During the week of the October 29 Republic Day, the new episodes of Show TV's Muhtemel Aşk, NOW's Halef: Köklerin Çağrısı, and Star TV's Sevdiğim Sensin did not meet viewers.
A day later, the new episode of Show TV's beloved production Kızılcık Şerbeti was also not aired. On Saturday, October 31, Star TV's Başkalarının Hayatı and Kanal D's Güller ve Günahlar took a break from the screen. Thus, within only three days, the new episodes of six series were removed from the broadcast schedule.
FOUR MORE SERIES WERE NOT AIRED DUE TO THE GALATASARAY MATCH
Changes in the broadcast schedule continued in the new week. The match played between Galatasaray and Stuttgart on the evening of Tuesday, November 3, affected the broadcast plans of television channels.
While the football match was aired on TRT 1 instead of Mehmed: Fetihler Sultanı, the new episodes of Kanal D's Haysiyet, NOW's Anne Yarısı, and Star TV's Tuzlu Kahve were also postponed.
It was stated that airing new episodes on days with football matches, which are especially expected to reach high viewing rates, is seen as economically risky.
CLAIM THAT 40 PERCENT OF ADVERTISING BREAKS REMAINED EMPTY
According to sector information reported by journalist Birsen Altuntaş, television channels' advertising revenues in October fell to the lowest level of the last 30 years. It was claimed that only 60 percent of the 12-minute advertising breaks allocated per hour were filled, while the remaining 40 percent remained empty.
It is stated that the decline in advertising revenues makes it difficult to finance series whose episode costs reach millions of liras. However, the advertising rates in question and the 30-year comparison have not yet been verified by independent data.
CHANNELS ASKED PRODUCERS FOR A DISCOUNT
After the economic difficulties in the sector, it was learned that television channels and representatives of producers came together. It was stated that the demand to reduce production costs came to the agenda in the talks.
While it was stated that the costs of series episodes in the new season vary between 20 and 30 million liras, it was noted that even productions receiving high ratings are struggling to meet rising expenses. It was also reported that some actors and set workers agreed to work without a pay increase.
ADVERTISING BUDGETS ARE SHIFTING TO DIGITAL
In journalist Sina Koloğlu's conversations with television executives, another reason for the crisis was revealed. Sector representatives stated that due to economic conditions, advertisers have reduced their budgets and a significant portion of advertising spending has shifted to digital platforms.
The fact that the advertising slowdown, which generally occurred in January and February in past years, began in October this year was also regarded as a notable development for the sector.
WILL NEW EPISODES OF SERIES NOT BE AIRED?
It is stated that if the decline in advertising revenues continues, television channels may continue to postpone new episodes of series, especially on days with important football matches and special events.
However, no common and official decision covering all channels and aimed at stopping the broadcasting of new episodes has been announced. The fact that series do not air for one week does not mean they have made a finale or been taken off the air.