• by Karlene Lukovitz  @KLmarketdaily, January 2, 2024

Warner Bros. Discovery has acquired Turkish streaming service BluTV, further strengthening its global footprint as it prepares the international rollout of Max.

WBD has had a strategic partnership with BluTV, and a 35% share in it, for the past three years.

BluTV has rapidly expanded its original content and library since its 2016 launch, and now offers more than 10,000 hours of local and international series and movies.

As part of its partnership with WBD, Discovery+ was added to the service in 2021, giving viewers access to Discovery Channel, TLC, DMAX and ID in a dedicated Discovery+-branded area.

In February 2023, the service added more WBD-owned programming, including HBO content such as “Game of Thrones,” “The Last of Us” and “Sex and the City,” as well as the kids’ networks Cartoon Network and Cartoonito.

“Turkey has been an important investment territory for us for over 20 years and the acquisition of BluTV brings Turkey’s firstlocalSVOD player into our portfolio,” said Jamie Cooke, GM CEE, Middle East & Turkey at WBD. “The combination of compelling Turkish content and a broad range of the best international series and shows from Warner Bros Discovery is an unbeatable recipe to be locally relevant and successful. Together we bring Turkish audiences the most compelling viewing experience and expand the reach of Turkish content globally.”