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Free TV Lifetime launching in Turkey
Lifetime is launching as a free-to-air channel in Turkey at the end of next month.
The A+E Networks female-skewing service will be run locally as a joint venture with MCD Medya. Fox Media will handle ad sales for the new service.
A+E said the new net will be programmed with shows from the US and international Lifetime services, including Lifetime movies (Marilyn, pictured), as well as local programming.
The Turkish content line-up will include a daily, morning talk show, hosted by well-known local personality Özge Uzun.
“The channel’s program schedule draws from a rich library of content and formats that are well-localised to match Turkish viewing habits,” said Oflaz Guvenkaya, president, MCD Medya.
She added: “The live morning show aims to be informative, inspiring and interactive for female and male viewers alike. Lifetime will be a pioneer in the Turkish market, filling a gap across the Free TV landscape from the viewers’ perspective and in the industry from the advertisers’ perspective.”
A+E said the free-TV move would take it into almost 20 million Turkish TV homes.
“Lifetime Turkey represents a key element of our growth strategy to extend A+E Networks’ portfolio across EMEA,” said Dean Possenniskie, managing director, EMEA, A+E Networks.
He added: “The channel will collectively give us the ability to reach over 19 million households and deliver to advertisers a high-value, upscale audience with real scale.”
Internationally, Lifetime is in 110 territories, and along with History and Crime + Investigation is one of the channel operator’s key nets. Its key unscripted shows include Dance Moms (above right).