Consistency and Adaptability Drive Gains for Inter Medya

A long-standing player in Turkey’s dynamic content landscape, Inter Medya continues to see gains in the competitive drama business thanks to two pillars, according to CEO Can Okan: consistency and adaptability. “Over the years, we have established long-term partnerships with both producers and broadcasters, and today our catalog encompasses more than 15,000 hours of content. This scale allows us to meet a wide variety of needs—from mainstream prime-time dramas to digital-first miniseries. We constantly track audience behavior and market trends. When viewers began demanding shorter, bingeable formats, we responded with our ‘New Generation’ strategy, while continuing to deliver the storytelling elements that made Turkish dramas globally successful in the first place—family dynamics, love, betrayal and deep emotion.”

Inter Medya has also prioritized global expansion, selling titles across every major territory in LatAm, Europe, Asia and Africa, “while also opening up new windows such as airline entertainment,” Okan explains. “For example, several leading airlines have recently added Turkish dramas from our library to their in-flight platforms—a clear signal of our content’s versatility and universal appeal.”

The company’s success has been rooted in its ability to be proactive and forward-looking, Okan says. “We aim to anticipate client needs before they emerge, positioning ourselves not just as a distributor but as a trusted solutions partner. We embrace new spaces, experiment, learn and evolve—an approach that keeps us dynamic and pioneering. Distribution will always remain our core business, but integrating innovations and sector developments into what we do has always been and will continue to be our priority.”

Of course, Inter Medya’s global footprint has also been enabled by its consistently strong supply of Turkish drama hits, led at this MIPCOM by Eshref Ruya, which Okan bills as “one of the most high-profile and prestigious titles on our slate this year.”

From TIMS&B Productions, a frequent Inter Medya partner, “the series marks the long-awaited on-screen union of two of Turkey’s most celebrated stars, Çağatay Ulusoy and Demet Özdemir,” Okan explains. “This first-time casting of the duo has already generated exceptional anticipation in Turkey and across international markets. At its core, the story captures the universal themes global audiences are craving today—love, drama, power, betrayal and hidden truths. Yet what sets Eshref Ruya apart is its cinematic scale, emotional intensity and distinctive storytelling, qualities that have become synonymous with Turkish drama at its finest. We are positioning Eshref Ruya as a flagship premium drama with the highest production values. The series appeals to both female and male viewers alike, offering a fast-paced narrative where every episode escalates the tension. Each character introduces a new layer of depth, brought to life through outstanding performances. From script to direction, production to music and acting to cinematography, every element has been crafted to deliver a drama of exceptional quality. For us, every title in our catalog is unique, but Eshref Ruya stands out as a project that not only enriches our lineup but also offers distinct points of connection for every client and territory. Moreover, it further strengthens our long-standing partnership with TIMS&B Productions, underscoring our shared commitment to creating global hits.”

Okan touts the show’s “genre-defying storytelling” as it tells the story of the relationship between Nisan (Özdemir), an idealistic musician drawn into a double life as an undercover informant to protect her sister, and Eshref (Ulusoy), haunted by the memory of his first love. “Their dynamic creates a powerful emotional contrast, driving the story with both tenderness and intensity. Just as the characters embody duality, the series itself maintains a remarkable balance: romance is matched by gripping momentum, and its dramatic weight is softened with moments of warmth and humor. On top of this, the exceptional production values further elevate the experience. From its striking visual design and carefully composed music to its rhythm and pacing, every element is crafted to sustain audience engagement episode after episode. Turkish dramas are already renowned for their emotional impact, but Eshref Ruya intensifies that tradition, offering a bold, refreshing and standout production.”

Inter Medya has also added to its lineup Halef, which Okan says delivers a “compelling mix of modern identity struggles and deep-rooted traditions, following Serhat, a successful surgeon in Istanbul who is pulled back to his hometown of Urfa where love, family rivalries and long-buried secrets collide. With a strong cast led by İlhan Şen, Aybüke Pusat and Biran Damla Yılmaz, direction by Deniz Çelebi Dikilitaş and production by Most Production, the show carries both artistic depth and high production values. Its unique combination of romance, family drama and moral dilemmas sets it apart, and its atmospheric filming locations add authenticity. The series has made a very successful local start, and we are confident that this success will cross borders and turn into a long-lasting, thrilling journey worldwide.”

These shows join a diverse Turkish drama slate at Inter Medya that includes returning highlights like Valley of Hearts, which has been a hit in LatAm and Italy; Deception, recently sold into Spain, Honduras and Italy; and Heartstrings, which has landed slots in Romania, Colombia, MENA and more.

“We are also placing a spotlight on what we define as our ‘New Generation’ series,” Okan explains, highlighting shorter, faster-paced miniseries such as Modern Woman, Fer, Mr. Right and Just Friends. “These titles are specifically designed with streaming platforms in mind, offering tighter storytelling and innovative approaches that blend genres in fresh ways.”

Okan also touts the company’s ever-expanding film lineup and its formats slate, and highlights the company’s move into the world of vertical dramas. “This initiative will see us both producing original content and curating a dedicated catalog of ready-made titles, ensuring we remain at the forefront of one of the industry’s most dynamic emerging trends.”

Co-productions are also a growth area for Inter Medya, Okan adds. “As pioneers of this business model in several countries, we are committed to continuing our leadership in this space. At the same time, we are placing strong emphasis on emerging markets: Southern Europe has become a hub for Turkish dramas, while demand is accelerating across Asia and Africa. And, of course, streaming platforms continue to expand the horizons for our content worldwide. We are actively working to bring the remake rights of our titles to new territories. Our strategy is to continuously enhance our catalog both in quality and volume, while steadily growing our global client base.”Positioning Eshref Ruya as a global event series toplines Inter Medya’s priorities for MIPCOM, Okan says, alongside showcasing the rest of its slate. “But MIPCOM is about more than sales,” Okan adds. “It’s a platform for strategy and partnerships. We are here to advance our co-production discussions, explore new format deals and position Inter Medya not only as a distributor, but as a creative partner helping shape the future of Turkish content worldwide. We will be presenting our vertical drama model, accelerating conversations around potential collaborations in this exciting new area. Our message is clear: Inter Medya is not just keeping pace with global trends—we are actively shaping them. We are showing how Turkish content can evolve with new consumption habits and platforms, while never losing the emotional depth that makes it unique. At the same time, we are investing in the future—building lasting partnerships, embracing innovation and creating content that resonates across cultures and borders. That is our mission at MIPCOM: to showcase the strength, creativity and diversity of Turkish drama and to reaffirm that Inter Medya will remain a driving force in shaping the global content landscape.”