On Friday, Warner Bros. Discovery declared its acquisition of BluTV, a prominent Turkish streaming service. The culmination of a three-year partnership, which initially saw Warner Bros. Discovery secure a 35% stake in BluTV, signifies a significant milestone for both entities. BluTV, Turkey’s pioneering local subscription video on demand (SVOD) service launched in 2016, has rapidly expanded its original content and extensive library. This growth prompted the introduction of Discovery+ on BluTV in 2021. Notably, the platform augmented its offerings in February by incorporating HBO content and children’s channels. This move granted BluTV audiences access to acclaimed series such as “The Last of Us,” “Game of Thrones,” and “Sex and the City,” along with popular channels like Cartoon Network and Cartoonito.
Expressing enthusiasm for the new development, Jamie Cooke, General Manager for Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Turkey at Warner Bros. Discovery, stated, “This marks an exciting new chapter for us. Turkey has been a vital investment territory for over two decades, and the acquisition of BluTV adds Turkey’s premier local SVOD player to our portfolio. The fusion of compelling Turkish content with an extensive array of top-notch international series from Warner Bros. Discovery creates an unbeatable formula for local relevance and success. Together, we aim to deliver Turkish audiences the most captivating viewing experience while simultaneously expanding the global reach of Turkish content.”
BluTV CEO Deniz Şaşmaz Oflaz expressed delight at the outcome of their strategic partnership with Discovery Inc., initiated in 2021. Becoming part of the Warner Bros. Discovery brand, he emphasized BluTV’s pride in its consistent growth, positioning itself as a cornerstone of one of the world’s largest media companies. Oflaz pledged to combine their best local narratives with globally acclaimed content, shaping Turkey’s most robust streaming platform and sharing their most successful local stories with a global audience.