Turkey hits out at Saudi-owned broadcaster over TV soaps

News, World

Istanbul: A Turkish government minister has lashed out at a decision by Saudi-owned broadcaster MBC to stop airing Turkish soap operas, the state-run news agency Anadolu reported, amid ongoing tensions between Ankara and some Gulf Arab states.

MBC announced the move on Tuesday, saying it would replace Turkish soaps -- which have long been a hit across the Middle East -- with "premium quality Arabic dramas that embody the values and traditions of the region."