Abstract:

The capacity of new media to integrate various established environments and the ability of modern communication channels to offer time-independent consumption opportunities challenge many concepts traditionally accepted in the literature. Among these discussions is the transition of television content to digital platforms, making them accessible simultaneously across multiple countries and cities. This highlights the fact that TV series and films can serve a specific function even during their production phase. This function can be interpreted within the framework of public diplomacy, as well as contributing to the branding strategies of countries and cities.

It can be argued that the use of historical locations in Turkish TV series plays a significant role in city branding, particularly with many Turkish series airing on platforms like Netflix with such aims in mind.

In previous years, Turkish TV series exported abroad by various production companies predominantly featured "historical" themes, sparking discussions about public diplomacy. However, recent Turkish series that cover a broader range of topics are increasingly showcasing historical locations, cultural sites, and co-productions with Netflix. Based on these debates, Turkish series on digital platforms directly influence the perception of country and city brands. This qualitative study critically examines the role of historical locations in city branding within the context of Turkish TV series broadcast on Netflix.