“Warner Bros Discovery Acquires Turkish Streaming Service BluTV to Enhance International Content Offerings”
Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) recently expanded its streaming portfolio by acquiring BluTV, a prominent subscription video-on-demand service in Turkey. This strategic move aligns with WBD’s plans to launch its Max service internationally in the coming months.
This acquisition marks a significant milestone in the partnership between WBD and BluTV, which began in 2021. Initially, this collaboration saw the introduction of Discovery+ on BluTV and an investment by Discovery Inc., resulting in a 35% ownership stake in BluTV.
A key aspect of this partnership included the option for further investment, culminating in the recent acquisition of BluTV, known for its rapid growth in the SVoD market.
BluTV, since its inception in 2016, has shown remarkable growth, primarily due to its focus on original and diverse content, boasting over 10,000 hours of top-tier local and international movies and series. The strategic alliance made in 2021 enhanced BluTV’s offerings, integrating Discovery+ and providing subscribers access to renowned WBD brands such as Discovery Channel, TLC, DMAX, and ID. This integration also included live sports through Eurosport 1 and 2.
Further solidifying their partnership, the companies introduced HBO content and children’s channels Cartoon Network and Cartoonito to BluTV in February 2023. This addition has enriched BluTV’s catalogue with broader global content, including popular series like The Last of Us, Game of Thrones, Sex and the City, and Tom & Jerry.
Jamie Cooke, GM CEE, Middle East & Turkey at Warner Bros Discovery, expressed excitement about this new venture, highlighting Turkey’s strategic importance for over two decades. He emphasized that the acquisition makes BluTV – Turkey’s first local SVoD service – part of their portfolio, combining captivating Turkish content with a wide array of international series and shows for a unique and successful blend.
Deniz Şaşmaz Oflaz, CEO of BluTV, also shared enthusiasm for this development. He noted that BluTV’s consistent growth as Turkey’s leading local subscription video platform has facilitated its integration into one of the world’s largest media companies. In the future, BluTV aims to fuse the finest local stories with top global content, establishing Turkey’s most robust streaming platform and promoting its best local content worldwide.
Ragul Thangavel
With over nine years of diverse professional experience, Ragul has made significant contributions across various domains, including Media Operations, OTT Technologies, Video Production, Ecommerce, and Social Media.
Holding an Engineering degree, Ragul's career took an unconventional turn when he discovered his passion for writing, leading him to begin his journey as a content writer.
His career has been exclusively dedicated to the growth and development of startups, where he has played a pivotal role. His unique blend of technical knowledge and creative prowess has enabled him to drive innovation and success in every venture he has been a part of.