In our first conversation with MISTCO’s Managing Director, Ayşegül Tüzün Yıldırım, we learned about the company’s role as one of the leading Turkish content distributors, their first co-production Bahar, and their strong lineup of dramas. She also highlighted the global success of historical titles such as Resurrection: Ertugrul and their large catalog of kids’ content and documentaries. We also touched on their upcoming participation in NEM Dubrovnik and the strategic importance of the CEE region for the company.
Since this is our first interview with you, we’d love to get to know you and MISTCO a bit better. Could you briefly tell us about the company?
Thank you for having us. MISTCO is one of Türkiye’s premier content distribution companies, specializing in high-quality Turkish dramas, documentaries, and children’s programming. We collaborate with leading producers and broadcasters in Türkiye to deliver captivating stories to audiences worldwide. Although distribution remains our core focus, we are also committed to investing in the Turkish media industry. To that end, we have established our own production division. Our first co-production, Bahar (also known as Kader Oyunları), was created in partnership with US YAPIM.
Could you provide us with a look at the first half of the year? Which markets did you participate in, and which titles did you highlight?
The first half of the year was very dynamic for us. We participated in several important markets such as MIP LONDON, LA Screenings, and Content Americas. Our main highlights included strong dramas such as Bahar, Come What May and Secrets of An Angel.
Also, we will highlight our long-running series, An Anatolian Tale and Shadow Team which are dominating the local market in terms of ratings.
Each of these titles has garnered significant interest from buyers across various regions. Our next stop is NEM Dubrovnik, marking our second time attending. Given the region’s strong appetite for Turkish content, we are confident this market will further strengthen our position. We expect to leave with great results.
Ayşegül Tüzün Yıldırım: “At its heart, Bahar is a deeply emotional and universally relatable story centered on a woman’s journey. Audiences from diverse cultures have connected with its themes of resilience and hope, values that transcend borders.”
MISTCO has built a strong reputation for historical dramas such as Resurrection Ertugrul and Barbarossa Sword of The Mediterranean. Could you walk us through their global journey?
Absolutely. Resurrection: Ertugrul was a global phenomenon, sold to over 100 countries across Latin America, South Asia, MENA, CIS, and Eastern Europe. It remains a timeless drama and continues to be one of the most in-demand titles in our catalog. We believe its success helped pave the way for other historical dramas from our lineup and the Turkish industry. Titles like Great Seljuks: Guardians of Justice, and Great Seljuks: Alparslan have also made a significant impact, especially in the MENA region, CIS, and Eastern Europe, where audiences have a strong appreciation for historical narratives. Success in this genre depends on exceptional storytelling, strong performances, and high production values. Our titles have all of these elements so the global journey naturally follows.
One of your standout titles, Bahar, has already been sold to a wide range of territories including Spain, Vietnam, Lithuania among many others. How do you explain its strong international appeal?
Bahar is our co-production with US YAPIM. From the moment we read the scripts, we knew it had strong international potential. Thanks to our partner’s expertise in crafting globally resonant stories, such as Melek and Hold My Hand, Bahar (also known as Kader Oyunları) has found its way onto screens in multiple countries.
At its heart, Bahar is a deeply emotional and universally relatable story centered on a woman’s journey. Audiences from diverse cultures have connected with its themes of resilience and hope, values that transcend borders.
This emotional depth, combined with powerful performances and compelling writing, has made Bahar one of the most sought-after titles in our catalog.
I would also like to mention Come What May. How is its global journey progressing?
Come What May has been generating increasing interest from international buyers, particularly in regions that appreciate light-hearted romantic comedies. With its blend of romance and humor, a charming young cast, and a relatable storyline, the series is highly adaptable and resonates well with global audiences. We are currently in discussions with several broadcasters and platforms, and we’re confident that its international reach will continue to grow.
In addition to dramas, you also distribute children’s content and documentaries. What can you tell us about your current lineup in those areas?
We have the largest kids’ catalog. Of course, there are difficulties in selling them, especially for animations, European contents dominate the market but we are eager to expand their penetration worldwide. The advantage of kids’ content is these titles are both educational and entertaining and they are clean content which are being evaluated by experts to avoid anything harmful to children.
Aslan and Jade are one of our popular titles which are licensed across CIS and Europe. Ramadan is a 360-degree project with series, movies, theatrical shows, and merchandising products. For the documentary, we focus on high-quality, informative programming about Turkish culture, nature, and history. We recently added several new titles that we’re excited to present at upcoming markets.
Are there any recent agreements or new partnerships you can share with us?
From time to time, we announce new deals. Stay tuned!
You’ll be attending NEM Dubrovnik, a key event for the CEE region. What importance does the region hold for MISTCO, and what are your expectations for this year’s market?
The CEE region is strategically important for us. Audiences there have shown a strong appreciation for Turkish storytelling. NEM Dubrovnik and NATPE Budapest are key events for this region and they provide a great opportunity to meet with our existing partners and explore new collaborations.
This exclusive interview with Ayşegül Tüzün Yıldırım was featured in Episode Magazine’s NEM Dubrovnik & NATPE Budapest 2025 issue.
