13.08.2026 18:21
RTÜK imposed sanctions on HBO Max, Prime Video, Netflix, and Disney+ for content promoting LGBT propaganda, child abuse, obscenity, and violence. The Supreme Board decided to remove the productions on the four platforms from the catalog and impose administrative fines ranging from 3 percent to 5 percent.
The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) convened to discuss current broadcast violations.
OBSCENITY PENALTY FOR HBO MAX
The Supreme Council reviewed broadcast violations in the documentary film titled 'Bang My Box: The Robin Byrd Story' broadcast by the media service provider HBO Max. Determining that the documentary explicitly displayed sexuality and pornography and legitimized same-sex relationships, the Supreme Council imposed removal from the catalog and an administrative fine of 3 percent on HBO Max.
SANCTION FOR PRIME VIDEO FOR 'OBSCENITY AND VIOLENCE'
Violations in the series titled 'Spartacus: House of Ashur' broadcast by the on-demand broadcast service provider with the Prime Video logo were also inspected by the Supreme Council. It was noted that in the said production, despite being presented under the umbrella of historical fiction and action-adventure, it contained slow-motion blood splatter, dismemberment, detailing violence as a 'pleasure scene'; constant exposure of the male and female body, and intense depiction of excessive obscenity and sexual intercourse scenes contrary to human nature and universal moral norms. For these reasons, removal from the catalog and an administrative fine of 5 percent were imposed on Prime Video.
PENALTY FOR NETFLIX FOR BEING 'CONTRARY TO THE NATIONAL AND SPIRITUAL VALUES' OF SOCIETY
The Supreme Council also addressed broadcast violations in the film titled 'Heartstopper: Forever' broadcast by the on-demand media service provider titled NETFLIX. It was determined that the film, published in the catalog with the protective symbols for adult level '18+, sexuality, slang' and the warning "This film is adapted from the book 'Heartstopper', which was decided by the Board for Harmful Publications of the Ministry of Family and Social Services of the Republic of Türkiye to be unsuitable for minors," by its subject matter, targets young people, and that scenes depicting same-sex relationships are presented visually aesthetically and charmingly with the music and effects used, and the same-sex lifestyle is reflected in a way that encourages the young age group. In this respect, it was emphasized that affirming and normalizing LGBTQ+ relationships in the relevant film is contrary to the Turkish family structure, our spiritual values, and the general understanding of morality. The Supreme Council imposed removal from the catalog and an administrative fine of 3 percent on NETFLIX due to the said film.
DISNEY+ SANCTION FOR 'CHILD ABUSE'
The Supreme Council also imposed sanctions for broadcast violations in the series titled 'A Teacher' broadcast by the on-demand media service provider Disney+. RTÜK emphasized that in the series, which deals with the relationship between a teacher and her minor student, the adult teacher's abusive behavior towards her student is presented in certain scenes as a romanticized and eroticized relationship, thus blurring the nature of child abuse and creating a risk of normalizing it. For these reasons, removal from the catalog and an administrative fine sanction of 5 percent were imposed on Disney+.