Viu South Africa has added two new bingeworthy Turkish drama series – dubbed in Afrikaans with English subtitles to appeal to local audiences – to its library of exciting local and international content.
Eerste Liefde Laaste (Twist of Fate), is live on the streaming platform from 21 October. Childhood friends Ada and Kerem face unexpected challenges as they navigate adulthood. A fortune teller predicts their destinies are intertwined, and they find themselves at a crossroads after a betrayal from a trusted individual. Ada pursues her dreams while Kerem grapples with his feelings for Ada. The story explores their choices: should they embrace their fates or let their life’s twists tear them apart?
Also available on Viu South Africa from 21 October is Die Stokman (The Stickman). This psychological drama series tells the tale of software developer Tamer, who becomes wealthy after creating a popular video game. Tamer struggles to move past his troubled background and after falling in love with Peri, a bank manager, Tamer abducts her and locks her in a bunker. While trapped in the bunker, Peri learns about Tamer's psychological wounds and their intense interaction starts to blur the line between captor and captive.
Turkish dramas are fast-growing in popularity with global audiences given the country’s strong tradition of storytelling, as well as the deep emotions and intense human interactions displayed on screen. The ability of characters to effectively portray a wide range of emotions may be why these stories resonate with audiences from various cultural backgrounds.
Data from Parrot Analytics reveals that the global demand for Turkish television series surged by 184% between 2020 and 2023, making Turkey a leading exporter of television shows worldwide. Despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, sales soared to a record-breaking $600 million in 2022, according to figures released by the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO).
These two drama series find an ideal home in Viu, which is renowned for its diverse content offering. Viu features the country’s best-loved shows, including Uzalo, Muvhango and Skeem Saam while its international content library is home to hit movies, shows and series from Korea, Turkey, Scandinavia, Hollywood and more. Viu also offers viewers increased flexibility with affordable daily, weekly, or monthly subscription plans while its ad-supported option allows for free viewing, catering to cash-conscious South Africans. Moreover, Viu allows five simultaneous streams, unlimited downloads and no password-sharing restrictions.
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