Top 10 Turkish TV Series (October 20–26, 2025) – Uzak Şehir Leads Ratings

Uzak Şehir Continues Its Dominance

Kanal D’s powerhouse drama Uzak Şehir once again proved its dominance in Turkish prime time. With the return of the Boran character, the series achieved a season-high 15.40 rating for Episode 34, reinforcing its status as the nation’s most-watched show.

The combination of intricate family drama, suspenseful plotlines, and high-quality production values has contributed to the show’s consistent success across two seasons. Industry analyst Burak Sakar highlighted that Uzak Şehir has maintained momentum, attracting audiences across the coveted 20+ ABC1 demographic.

The show’s strategic storytelling, blending romance, intrigue, and action, has created a broad appeal. The return of Boran, a fan-favorite, exemplifies how character-driven developments can translate into measurable ratings spikes.

For those seeking more information on the show, visit the official Kanal D page for Uzak Şehir.

TRT 1’s Taşacak Bu Deniz Makes a Strong Impact

Newcomer Taşacak Bu Deniz on TRT 1 also captured viewers’ attention. The series saw a three-point jump to 9.69 rating for Episode 3, signaling that audiences are quickly warming to its narrative.

Set against contemporary Turkish life, the show balances family dynamics with social commentary, appealing to a demographic that enjoys heartfelt drama with modern relevance. The ratings leap suggests that the series has the potential to challenge long-established leaders in prime time if the upward trajectory continues.

This rise is noteworthy considering the competition from seasoned dramas such as Eşref Rüya and Uzak Şehir. For more insights, explore the TRT 1 programming page.

Eşref Rüya: Stable Yet Slightly Declining

Kanal D’s Eşref Rüya, a show that started the season strongly, recorded 8.56 rating, holding third place for the week. Although its ratings experienced a minor decline over the last two weeks, the show continues to attract a loyal audience, thanks to its compelling mix of suspense, romance, and social storytelling.

The drop coincided with prime-time clashes with sports events and other high-performing series, illustrating how audience attention can shift subtly in Turkey’s competitive TV market.

Prime-Time Competition Highlights

• Tuesday Nights: Competition was particularly fierce. Following a dip last week due to national football matches, series rebounded. Show TV’s Bahar led Tuesday with 4.93 rating, while Kral Kaybederse and Mehmed: Fetihler Sultanı experienced around one-point gains. Despite five major series airing simultaneously, Müge Anlı ile Tatlı Sert maintained its dominance.
• Wednesday Nights: The Champions League match between Galatasaray and Bodo Glimt attracted 12.92 rating, dominating the evening and limiting the impact of scripted series. Eşref Rüya managed to secure second place with 8.56, while Star TV’s Sahipsizler maintained a steady performance at 3.92, unaffected by the early-match timing.
• Thursday Nights: Competitive momentum continued. Halef: Köklerin Çağrısı surpassed 6 rating, while Veliaht slightly declined to 5.53 due to European League games appealing to the male demographic.
• Friday Nights: After several seasons of Yalı Çapkını dominating, Kızılcık Şerbeti yielded the top spot to TRT 1’s Taşacak Bu Deniz, which reached 9.69 rating. Meanwhile, Ben Onun Annesiyim opened weakly at 1.97 rating, marking the season’s lowest premiere. Arka Sokaklar maintained a consistent trajectory, and Aşk ve Gözyaşı took a one-week hiatus.

Weekend Battles: Saturday and Sunday

• Saturday: Kanal D’s Güller ve Günahlar continued to rise, reaching 5.94 rating in its third episode. Veteran series Gönül Dağı, consistently the leader for five seasons, followed closely at 5.04, showing the enduring appeal of family-centered narratives.
• Sunday: TRT 1’s Teşkilat strengthened its lead with 7.17 rating, continuing the upward trend that has kept it among the top performers. Sahtekarlar on Now TV maintained its steady course in its third episode.

These weekend trends highlight how audience loyalty and strategic scheduling influence weekly rankings, with networks leveraging both established hits and promising newcomers.

Prime-Time Turkish TV Ratings (20–26 October 2025)

Analytical Insights

• Character Returns Drive Ratings: Boran’s return to Uzak Şehir shows that strategic character reintroductions can significantly boost viewership.
• New Entrants Show Promise: Taşacak Bu Deniz’s strong performance indicates that fresh narratives with high production quality can challenge established favorites.
• Sports Influence: High-profile matches, such as Champions League games, can temporarily disrupt scripted drama viewership but do not eliminate loyal audience engagement.
• Weekend Dynamics: Saturday and Sunday series maintain consistency due to entrenched viewer habits, with emotional dramas like Gönül Dağı retaining dedicated followings.

For comparative analysis, check out past prime-time rankings on TİAK and insights from Burak Sakar’s media reports.

Conclusion: A Competitive Week for Turkish TV

October 20–26, 2025, exemplified the dynamic nature of Turkish television, with long-running series, new debuts, and sports events creating a vibrant competitive landscape. Uzak Şehir’s season record, Taşacak Bu Deniz’s rise, and Teşkilat’s steady growth illustrate how storytelling, scheduling, and audience engagement converge to shape prime-time success.

As networks prepare for the coming weeks, viewer loyalty, plot innovation, and strategic timing will continue to determine ratings performance, keeping Turkish television among the most compelling entertainment markets globally.

Source: TRT1, Kenal D, TİAK