Discovery launching free-to-air TLC in Turkey

Discovery is launching is female-skewing TLC channel in Turkey as a free-to-air service.

The channel operator will rebeand the CNBC-e channel, which it acquired from Dogus Media, with TLC rolling out in November.

The channel will be programmed with female-centric lifestyle, reality and fact-ent programming. The launch line-up includes AMC’s smash hit zombie series Fear the Walking Dead (below) and BBC period drama Poldark.

The non-fiction line-up will include shows from Oprah Winfrey. There will also be several series that previously ran on the CNBC-e service, such as Vikings, Hannibal and sitcom Mike & Molly.

Discovery’s Turkish offering will run to four channels with the addition of TLC, which will join Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and Discovery Science.

“Today marks a new era in our Turkish business, as we close our deal with Doğuş Media Group to acquire CNBC-e and announce the launch of TLC – Discovery’s leading lifestyle and entertainment channel brand and first free to air channel in the growing Turkish market,” said James Gibbons, executive VP & country manager, emerging business, Discovery Networks CEEMEA.

Doğuş Media Group’s chairman Erman Yerdelen added: “As Doğuş Media Group, we believe Discovery Communications will introduce the Turkish market to a totally new channel, reflecting the latest trends in various types of entertainment under a very strong brand like TLC.”