MBC Group Acquired Rights to The Hatmaker
The media giant secured the rights for its streaming and linear platforms in the MENA region at MIPCOM.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Television
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MBC Group has purchased the rights for the upcoming Turkish period drama The Hatmaker. The deal will bring the series to the company's streaming platform, Shahid, and its linear channels across the MENA region.
Why it matters
The acquisition expands the presence of Turkish content within the MENA media landscape by leveraging a high-profile period drama. It highlights the ongoing global demand for international scripted formats distributed by agencies like Eccho Rights.
The Hatmaker is produced as 60 episodes, with each installment lasting 45 minutes. The drama is being sold to international buyers as both a finished product and a scripted format.
The players
MBC Group
This media corporation operates streaming platforms and television channels throughout the Middle East and North Africa.
Eccho Rights
This international television distributor specializes in selling scripted series and formats to global broadcasters and streamers.
Pınar Deniz
She is a prominent actress who has been cast in the lead role for the upcoming historical drama series.
Selahattin Paşalı
He is a professional actor who will star in the period drama set in the 1920s.
The details
The series is a period drama set in the 1920s and features actors Pınar Deniz and Selahattin Paşalı in the lead roles. Distribution of the project is being managed by Eccho Rights, which debuted the series to international buyers during the MIPCOM industry event.
Timeline
October 2026: The acquisition agreement was reached at MIPCOM.
November 2026: Filming for the series is scheduled to begin.
2027: The series is expected to premiere in Turkey.
Industry Dynamics
This deal underscores the aggressive expansion of Turkish content into global markets, a trend that has reshaped international licensing strategies. It mirrors the broader effort by major platforms to compete in the global streaming wars by securing high-demand regional period dramas.
Viewers in the MENA region will be able to access the drama through the Shahid streaming platform and MBC's linear broadcast channels. The series is being distributed internationally, meaning it may eventually appear on other regional streaming services depending on future licensing agreements.
The takeaway
The acquisition showcases the continued popularity of 1920s-era historical dramas among international audiences. Fans of the lead actors can expect the production to move from the negotiation stage into active filming later next year.
What happens next
Filming for The Hatmaker is scheduled to commence in November 2026, followed by a planned series premiere in Turkey during 2027.
Further reading
For more on the current state of global media, browse the Television section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by C21Media.
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