Disney strikes Turkish Golden Girls format deal

Turkish pay TV broadcaster ATV has launched a local version of classic sitcom The Golden Girls after Disney ABC ESPN Television struck a format deal with Turkish producer Play Productions.

ATV will initially air 13 episodes of the series, which follows the exploits of four single middle aged women who live together. The US series aired for seven seasons between 1985 and 1992.

Disney ABC ESPN Television, the international distribution arm of the US studio, has found success in the region selling formatted versions of its catalog of dramas and comedies; Jim Belushi-fronted sitcom According to Jim and family comedy Hope & Faith have both already been produced in Turkey, while it has also recently struck local format deals for The Golden Girls with Russian broadcaster Channel One and ET1 in Greece.