Turner Broadcasting and Dogan Media Group are set to expand their partnership with the launch of two new 24 hour channels in Turkey.

From January, general entertainment channel TNT and animation channel Cartoon Network will be available to Turkish viewers for the first time. 

This represents Turner’s growing commitment to working with the Dogan Media Group and follows the success of the joint venture news channel CNN Turk which was launched by the two companies in November 1999.

“TBS is delighted to expand its relationship with Dogan and signal its confidence in the Turkish market as a robust and stable environment for growth,” said Ron Ciccone, senior vice-president and managing director, TBS Europe

The announcement comes shortly after TBS launched TNT in Spain, the first time TBS brought a general entertainment channel to the European marketplace.

“TBS’s expertise in the news, film and animation genres has long been our calling card,” said Jeff Kupsky, President TBS Europe.

“But all businesses evolve: we want to introduce new genres to the marketplace, including, in this instance a general entertainment channel. 

“We expect to continue this increased focus on newer markets like Turkey, while at the same time not taking our eye off the ball in more established markets in Western Europe where opportunities for growth still remain.”

Under the terms of the new agreement TBS and Dogan will seek to broaden the entertainment choices for both adults and kids, while at the same time remaining absolutely committed to the ongoing success of CNN Turk.

Both channels will be broadcast in Turkish.  TNT will offer viewers US series and movies while Cartoon Network will be the home for the channel’s much-loved animation classics, as well as brand new characters.

The channels will be based in Istanbul and new staff will be hired in the coming months.

"We are very pleased that the distribution of our channels will reach both terrestrial households and DTH households.  The terrestrial distribution of TNT is a good fit for the general entertainment remit of TNT, while the placement of Cartoon Network on DTH platforms signals our support for new platforms,"   added Ciccone.

 Turner Broadcasting Signals Commitment to New Genres and New Markets with Joint Venture Channel Launches with Dogan Media Group, Turkey.

Turner Broadcasting and Dogan Media Group are set to expand their partnership with the launch of two new 24 hour channels in Turkey.

From January 2008, general entertainment channel TNT and animation channel Cartoon Network will be available to Turkish viewers for the first time. 

This represents Turner’s growing commitment to working with the Dogan Media Group and follows the success of the joint venture news channel CNN Turk which was launched by the two companies in November 1999.

“TBS is delighted to expand its relationship with Dogan and signal its confidence in the Turkish market as a robust and stable environment for growth,” said Ron Ciccone, senior vice-president and managing director, TBS Europe

The announcement comes shortly after TBS launched TNT in Spain, the first time TBS brought a general entertainment channel to the European marketplace.

“TBS’s expertise in the news, film and animation genres has long been our calling card. 

“But all businesses evolve: we want to introduce new genres to the marketplace, including, in this instance a general entertainment channel,” said Jeff Kupsky, president TBS Europe.

“We expect to continue this increased focus on newer markets like Turkey, while at the same time not taking our eye off the ball in more established markets in Western Europe where opportunities for growth still remain,” said Jeff Kupsky.

Under the terms of the new agreement TBS and Dogan will seek to broaden<