Turkish soap operas and historical drama series have become “a thing” in international entertainment in the last few decades.
Although the Turkish government has never stated that it uses its television programs as soft power to further its supposed neo-ottoman policies, they certainly do spread information about Turkiye throughout the world, where they enjoy considerable demand.
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Thinking of Turkiye without thinking of its serials and soap operas is now unimaginable, according to some.
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Some Turkish historical serials such as “The Magnificent Century” have been very popular, with its portrayal of a Slavic woman who was enslaved, entered the harem of Suleyman the Magnificent, and became the sultan’s only wife, wielding considerable power in the empire.
Viewers also have appreciated the content in more topical programs dealing with spousal abuse and other contemporary issues ( 61b2).
In Russia, for example, female viewers in particular like historical dramas as well as soap operas where the lovers have to surmount all kinds of difficulties but remain together at the end.
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Russian Psychologists have pointed out that female viewers also admire the role of the strong male characters, such as the sultans, that can protect the women of their harems, even if Russian women have no desire to be part of one.
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In Ukraine, “The Magnificent Century” was also popular, as was its sequel, “The Magnificent Century: Kosem”,  based on another woman, who also rose to great power through her relationship with the sultan.
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Viewers also appreciated more modern Turkish soap operas, one of which reaching 300 episodes.
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In general, they seem to appreciate stories of crime, lust for power, and almost over- complicated, if passionate, love affairs.
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In Chechnya, the series “Resurrection Ertugrul”  was very popular, and the youngest son of the local ruler Ramzan Kadyrov was hired for a role in the series.
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However, in some countries, such as Uzbekistan, Turkish programs have run into criticism from conservative citizens, governments and clergy and there were cases where programs were taken suddenly off the air.
The initial warm relations between Turkiye and newly independent Uzbekistan later went cold under Islam Karimov, but after his death they immediately warmed up and soon, along with improvement in economic relations, another Turkish serial was being shown on Uzbek television.
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In spite of their clear success in the television markets of many countries, it is not yet clear that Turkiye has been able to translate this kind of soft power into an effective instrument for promoting its policies,.

Warning: these questons and answers are not all representative of the way questions will be asked and answered in the pilot, because some questions are compound and some answers do not include citations.

Q: Turkish television exports have generally consisted of what kinds of programs?
A: Historical drama series and soap operas

Q: Are Turkish serials popular in the former Soviet Union, where in particular?
A: yes, in Russia, UKraine, Uzbekistan.

Q: The historical serial “The Magnificent Century” deals with the life of whom?
A: the wife of Suleyman the Magnificent, a Slavic slave.

Q: Was this subject unique?
A: What if any sequels followed its success? - the sequel “The Magnificent Century: Kosem” is about another woman from the harem who also rose to power.

Q: What did Russian women find attractive about the characters of Turkish series?
A: They were strong male figures able to protect the women in their care.

Q: Were love affairs ever featured in Turkish soap operas?
A: In virtually all of them

Q: Did the leadership in Chechnya approve of Turkish series?
A: Yes, and the sone of Ramzan Kadyrov was hired to act in “Resurrection Ertugrul”.

Q: Have Turkish soap operas ever been subject to censorship from authorities in other countries and where?
A: Yes, in particular in Uzbekistan.

Q: Did the situation there change?
A: Upon the death of Uzbek President Karimov Turkiye made up with his successor and Turkish programs returned to the airwaves.

Q: What kinds of plots are typical of Turkish soap operas?
A: criminal activities, lust for power, desperate love affairs.