CNN Türk
A Turkish free-to-air television news channel operating under a licensing relationship with CNN's international organization.
Last updated August 31, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
CNN Türk is a Turkish free-to-air television news channel that broadcasts news, current-affairs programming, analysis, economic coverage, sports reporting and special reports for audiences in Turkey. It launched on 11 October 1999 as the Turkish affiliate of the American CNN network. The channel was originally established and operated by Doğan Media Group, which developed the service as a local Turkish-language news outlet using the CNN name and an affiliation model rather than as a direct Turkish edition wholly owned by CNN International. The channel's editorial and corporate position changed significantly after Doğan Media Group sold it to Demirören Group in 2018. Demirören became the Turkish owner and operator, while CNN's international organization retained a licensing relationship connected to the continued use of the CNN brand. The ownership transfer generated debate about editorial independence, political balance and whether CNN Türk's coverage remained consistent with the standards associated with CNN. CNN International stated that CNN Türk was an independent Turkish broadcaster but continued to expect adherence to CNN editorial standards and journalistic independence. CNN Türk has operated in a politically sensitive media environment. It drew criticism during the 2013 Gezi Park protests after airing a penguin documentary while CNN International carried live coverage of the demonstrations. The incident became a widely cited example of the contrasting editorial treatment of the same events by the Turkish channel and its international brand partner. The channel was also criticized in 2014 for broadcasting a documentary about bees during protests related to Turkey's position on the conflict around Kobani. During the attempted coup of 15 July 2016, soldiers entered the channel's facilities and forced it off the air temporarily. Its political coverage remained controversial after the 2018 ownership change. During the 2019 Turkish local-election campaign, critics accused the channel and presenter Ahmet Hakan of treating opposition figures more confrontationally than government-aligned participants and of moving to commercial breaks during criticism of the government. In February 2020, Turkey's Republican People's Party announced a boycott, alleging that CNN Türk functioned as a publicity platform for the governing Justice and Development Party. The party urged its politicians not to participate in the channel's debates and called on supporters not to watch it. CNN International was reported to have examined concerns about perceived bias at CNN Türk in December 2021, including by sending a committee to assess the broadcaster's political coverage and its compliance with CNN editorial expectations. CNN Türk has also extended its news offering through CNN Türk Radio, an audio service launched in 2001. The radio operation carries breaking news, analysis, economic and business coverage, expert commentary and sports news, and changed its Istanbul frequency to 92.6 on 21 September 2020. The television channel and its associated digital and radio services remain focused primarily on the Turkish market.
History
CNN Türk was created as a Turkish-language affiliate of CNN and began broadcasting on 11 October 1999. Doğan Media Group operated the channel, adapting the CNN news concept to Turkey through local presenters, Turkish-language reporting and programming focused on domestic politics, business, economics, society and international developments. The service was designed as a television news outlet for the Turkish market rather than as a rebroadcast of CNN International. The broadcaster expanded its media presence with CNN Türk Radio, which began broadcasting on 22 November 2001. The radio service complemented the television channel with breaking-news updates, extended analysis, economic and business coverage, expert assessments, sports news and interviews. It remained associated with the CNN Türk brand and later operated within a joint-venture structure involving Demirören Holding and Time Warner. Its Istanbul frequency was changed to 92.6 on 21 September 2020. CNN Türk became especially visible in debates about media coverage and political neutrality. During the Gezi Park protests in 2013, the channel aired a documentary about penguins while CNN International broadcast live footage of the demonstrations. The contrast attracted extensive criticism and turned the broadcast into a symbol of perceived disconnection between major events and television coverage. A similar criticism arose in 2014, when the channel showed a documentary about bees during protests connected with Turkey's policy toward Kurdish fighters in Kobani. The channel was directly affected by the attempted coup of 15 July 2016. Soldiers entered its facilities and forced it off the air, demonstrating the strategic importance of television broadcasters during the crisis. CNN Türk subsequently continued operating, but its role and editorial choices remained subject to political scrutiny. A major corporate turning point occurred in 2018, when Doğan Media Group sold the channel to Demirören Group. Demirören became the Turkish owner and operator, while CNN International's organization continued to be involved through a licensing arrangement for the CNN name. The ownership change prompted discussions about whether CNN Türk's political orientation would change and whether its output would continue to satisfy CNN's standards. CNN said that CNN Türk was independently operated in Turkey but was still expected to uphold editorial independence and CNN journalistic standards. During the 2019 Turkish local elections, critics alleged that the channel's coverage favored government-aligned positions. Particular criticism concerned the interviewing style of presenter Ahmet Hakan when speaking with opposition figures and claims that commercial breaks were used during government-critical portions of programs. CNN responded by emphasizing the standards expected of the Turkish broadcaster. In February 2020, the Republican People's Party announced a formal boycott, instructing its politicians not to appear on the channel and urging supporters not to watch it. The party alleged that CNN Türk operated as a publicity platform for the Justice and Development Party. Further concerns were reported in December 2021, when CNN International allegedly initiated an internal review of perceived bias at CNN Türk. A committee was reportedly sent to examine political coverage and assess whether the channel was meeting CNN's editorial expectations. These episodes illustrate the central tension in CNN Türk's identity: it carries the reputation and licensing association of a global news brand, but its newsroom, ownership and political operating environment are Turkish. The channel continues to serve Turkey through television, digital news and radio, although the available reference material does not establish a separate current corporate structure beyond its ownership by Demirören Group and licensing relationship with CNN's international organization.
- 2021
Reported CNN International editorial review
[1]CNN International reportedly sends a committee to review concerns about perceived bias and the channel's political coverage.
- 2020
CNN Türk Radio changes Istanbul frequency
[1]The radio service moves to 92.6 FM in Istanbul on 21 September.
- 2018
Ownership transfers to Demirören Group
[1]Doğan Media Group sells CNN Türk to Demirören Group, while the CNN name continues under a licensing arrangement.
- 2016
Broadcast interrupted during attempted coup
[1]Soldiers forced CNN Türk off the air during the attempted coup on 15 July.
- 2013
Gezi Park coverage controversy
[1]A penguin documentary aired while CNN International covered the Gezi Park protests live, producing sustained criticism of CNN Türk's news priorities.
- 2001
CNN Türk Radio launches
[1]The CNN Türk brand expands into radio with news, analysis, economic, sports and expert programming.
- 1999
CNN Türk begins broadcasting
[1]The Turkish free-to-air news channel launches on 11 October as a local CNN affiliate operated by Doğan Media Group.
Products and positioning
A Turkish-language, full-service news broadcaster positioned around continuous news, live coverage, political discussion, expert analysis and economic reporting, with the visibility of the CNN international brand but local Turkish ownership and editorial operations.
Television news · 1999
CNN Türk television channel
The core CNN Türk service is a Turkish free-to-air television news channel. Its programming covers breaking news, domestic and international affairs, politics, elections, economics, business, sports and current affairs through bulletins, interviews, panel discussions and analysis. It is operated for the Turkish market and is distinct from CNN International, despite its brand affiliation and licensing relationship.
Radio news · 2001
CNN Türk Radio
CNN Türk Radio is the audio broadcasting arm associated with the television channel. It carries breaking developments, longer-form analysis, economic and business reporting, expert commentary, interviews, sports news and specialist programs. The service began in 2001 and changed its Istanbul frequency to 92.6 on 21 September 2020.
Digital news
CNN Türk digital news
The CNN Türk website provides the brand's digital news presence, publishing Turkish-language reporting and updates across politics, business, world affairs, sports and other current-affairs categories. The available reference material identifies the official website but does not provide a detailed account of its launch or current operating structure.
Controversies
2021
Reported review of perceived editorial bias
CNN International was reported to have examined concerns about CNN Türk's political stance and sent a committee to assess whether its coverage complied with CNN editorial standards.
2020
CHP boycott
The Republican People's Party announced a boycott of CNN Türk, alleging that the channel functioned as a publicity agency for the governing Justice and Development Party. It instructed its politicians not to participate in the channel's debates.
2019
Allegations of biased local-election coverage
Critics alleged that CNN Türk's 2019 local-election coverage treated opposition figures more aggressively and used commercial breaks during criticism of the government. CNN said the broadcaster was expected to maintain editorial standards and journalistic independence.
2014
Bee documentary during Kobani-related protests
The channel faced criticism after airing a documentary about bees while Kurdish protests were taking place over Ankara's stance toward the conflict around Kobani.
2013
Penguin documentary during Gezi Park protests
CNN Türk was criticized for broadcasting a documentary about penguins while CNN International showed live coverage of the Gezi Park protests. The incident became a prominent symbol of criticism directed at the channel's news judgment and political sensitivity.
Brand decisions
2020
CNN Türk Radio changes Istanbul frequencyOtherBackground
The radio operation continued as an audio extension of the CNN Türk news brand.
Action taken
The Istanbul frequency was changed to 92.6 on 21 September.
2018
Transfer of CNN Türk to Demirören GroupM&ABackground
Doğan Media Group sold the channel amid a broader change in ownership of its media assets.
Action taken
Demirören Group became the Turkish owner and operator, while the CNN name continued through a licensing relationship with CNN's international organization.
Aftermath
The transaction led to debate about editorial independence, political positioning and the conditions governing continued use of the CNN brand.
Recent events
- 2020
CNN Türk Radio changes Istanbul frequency[1]
Other
The radio service changed its Istanbul broadcast frequency to 92.6 on 21 September 2020.
- 2018
Doğan Media Group sells CNN Türk to Demirören Group[1]
M&A · Leadership change
CNN Türk changed ownership when Doğan Media Group sold its media assets, including the channel, to Demirören Group. The transaction prompted discussion with CNN International about the brand licence and editorial standards.
- 2016
CNN Türk taken off air during attempted coup[1]
Other
During the attempted coup in Turkey on 15 July, soldiers entered the channel's facilities and forced CNN Türk to stop broadcasting temporarily.
- 2001
CNN Türk Radio begins broadcasting[1]
Product launch
The channel expanded into radio with a service carrying breaking news, analysis, economic coverage, expert commentary and sports reporting.
- 1999
CNN Türk launches as CNN's Turkish affiliate[1]
Other
CNN Türk began broadcasting on 11 October 1999 as a Turkish free-to-air news channel established by Doğan Media Group in affiliation with CNN.
Sources2 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/cnn-türk · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled