Discovery forms partnership with Doğuş for major Turkish expansion

Kasia Kieli

Discovery Communications has agreed a strategic relationship with Turkey’s Doğuş Media Group to increase its portfolio to 13 channels and strengthen its ad sales offer. 

The deal follows a period of growth for Discovery in the market, which includes the opening of a local office in 2012, full distribution across all major Turkish pay-TV platforms, the launch of local advertising and continued investment in its channel portfolio.

The first step of this relationship will see Doğuş Media Group appointed as Discovery’s exclusive ad sales representative in Turkey, starting from September 1.

In partnership with James Gibbons, EVP for Discovery’s Emerging Business region and Sissian Margos, in the newly created position of General Manager for Discovery Networks Turkey, Doğuş will be responsible for selling Discovery’s entire commercial portfolio, including local versions of Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and Discovery Science, as well as securing sponsorship opportunities from Turkish advertisers.

 Discovery has also agreed to acquire the national free-to-air news and entertainment channel, CNBC-e, from Doğuş Media Group. This marks Discovery’s first step into the Turkish free-to-air segment. The acquisition is expected to be concluded later this year.

“Turkey has been an important market for Discovery for 17 years and we are proud of our position as one of the leading international broadcasters in the country. Discovery’s global success is based on building strong local teams and looking for new opportunities that build scale in key markets. Our expanded relationship with Doğuş, including ad sales representation, and new investments such as the acquisition of the CNBC-e channel, will see us reach the next level in Turkey,” said Kasia Kieli, President & MD, Discovery Networks Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa.

“Doğuş Media Group holds a leading position in the Turkish television industry through the ownership of both thematic and mainstream television channels, as a Turkish media conglomerate that has demonstrated a consistent growth record since 1996. From the outset, Doğuş Media Group has set successful examples in the international arena by partnering with the world’s leading brands. Today, we are proud to announce that Doğuş Media Group and one of the strongest media groups in the world, Discovery Communications, have reached an agreement on the mutual goal of growing and diversifying Discovery’s broadcasting portfolio in Turkey. With this strategic relationship, Discovery’s Turkish viewers will enjoy a greater variety of choice in entertainment,” said Doğuş Media Group’s Chairman, Erman Yerdelen.