"They didn't share that data by calling it a 'trade secret'! Presentation from Netflix at the Parliament."

The Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) Digital Media Commission convened under the chairmanship of AK Party Hatay Deputy Hüseyin Yayman.

NETFLIX REPRESENTATIVES PRESENTED TO THE DEPUTIES

Netflix Public Policy Director Pelin Mavili made a presentation to the deputies. Mavili noted that the platform is used in 190 countries, stating, "We are referred to as 'digital platforms'; however, if you look at the broadcasting service, Netflix is not a platform. Because users cannot interact with each other. It is important to clarify this part in terms of legal definitions. Another important point is that Netflix is the service that provides the most access to Turkish series and films worldwide, as it operates in 190 countries. The day Turkish series and films started to be broadcast on Netflix, all of our original content can be found by viewers in these 190 countries," she said.

"PEOPLE WATCHING TURKISH SERIES AND FILMS WANT TO VISIT TURKEY"

Mavili also stated that people watching Turkish series and films in foreign countries want to visit Turkey. Emphasizing that they cannot share the profit rate and subscriber numbers in an environment with press members, Mavili expressed that they could provide this information to the deputies separately.

SUBSCRIBER NUMBER IS A 'COMMERCIAL SECRET'

After Mavili's presentation, deputies who directed questions to the company officials criticized the non-disclosure of the subscriber number as a "commercial secret" in public. In response to a question about the series "Famagusta," which distorts Turkey's Cyprus Operation in collaboration with Greece and the Greek Cypriot Administration, Mavili stated that the series is not Netflix content, but a production that has already been broadcast on the relevant country's television.

Mavili continued: "We do not have an office in Greece, nor do we have colleagues working in Greece. Our team in Italy occasionally makes purchases for the Greek market and has preferred to buy content that has been successful and found its audience in its own country. This issue came to our agenda roughly at the same time it came to yours. We immediately conducted our checks and started consultations with RTÜK. Of course, they immediately caught the sensitivity of the society. They rightfully expressed their grievances to us regarding this issue. A solution was reached, as you know, our RTÜK President has already announced that this content was published with the condition that it remains limited to the country where it has already found its audience. Additionally, I would like to share a piece of information that may not be widely known; the third season of that content has already been released on their television, but that third season has not been released on Netflix."

"DOES NETFLIX SUPPORT LGBT?"

In response to the question, "Does the Netflix platform specifically support LGBT?" Mavili replied: "I want to say something very clear and loud, there is no lobby pressure regarding the acquisition or non-acquisition of any content, whether in Turkey or on global Netflix. We want everyone who clicks on Netflix and looks at the screen to see themselves there. We want to be a screen where everyone can reflect themselves. We want to ensure that all segments of society, in all countries of the world, can find all voices and colors, and say, 'My story is told here.' You see a lot of diverse things on our screen, but this is not due to pressure or lobbying; it is aimed at being a screen where everyone can find themselves."

"IF IT IS CONTENT CONTAINING LGBT RELATIONSHIPS, IT IS ALREADY +18"

Regarding the labeling of such content, Mavili stated, "If it is content containing LGBT relationships, it is already +18, that is clear. This is a matter that RTÜK is very strict about. If it contains sexuality, it is already labeled as sexuality, but we cannot label individuals' images, preferences, lifestyles, and sexual orientations, which are protected by the International Declaration of Human Rights."

"THE LICENSE FOR THE PALESTINE COLLECTION HAS EXPIRED"

Regarding the withdrawn Palestine collection, Mavili stated, "The license period for those contents was clear from the day they were acquired. Their licenses have expired. Since the licensing period has ended, we no longer have rights over the contents, so they have been removed from broadcast."

The commission meeting continued in a closed session.