Hekimoğlu, the new Turkish version of hit US scripted series House M.D., is scoring high ratings for Kanal D. The show, which premiered December 17, is produced by Karga Seven Pictures Turkey, the Turkish outfit of US production company Karga Seven Pictures.
Episode 7 of Hekimoğlu, which aired on Tuesday February 11, scored a 9.44 rating, making it Kanal D’s Number One show in the AB demographic and their highest-rating show in five years. Hekimoğlu also took the top spot in the ABC1 demo, with an impressive 9.06 rating.
Hekimoğlu has increased Kanal D’s market share consistently over its initial episodes, growing week-by-week in all measured target groups. The show premiered with a 14.92% (AB) market share – an impressive 90% increase over the previous week’s slot average of 7.98%; and has continued to grow every week: Episodes 2 hit 16.45%, and Episode 3 reached a milestone 18.77% share.
The Wit’s monthly Social Wit List, measuring the social media buzz and influence of TV shows around the world, saw Hekimoğlu appear in the December list. The show came in at number eight on the global list, with 26,000 followers and big numbers for stars Aytaç Şaşmaz (1.4 million followers), Kaan Yildirim (739,000) and Okan Yalabik (81,000).
Hekimoğlu stars acclaimed Turkish actor Timuçin Esen in the lead role of Ateş Hekimoğlu. Other cast include Okan Yalabık, Ebru Özkan, Kaan Yıldırım, Damla Colbay and Aytaç Şaşmaz.
The series is written by Banu Kiremitçi Bozkurt and directed by Hülya Gezer, with Karga Seven’s Ömer Özgüner and Ümmü Burhan serving as executive producers.
Karga Seven Pictures Turkey secured the rights to House M.D. from NBCUniversal International Formats. Universal Television produced the original series of House M.D. for the Fox Network in the US. Starring Hugh Laurie throughout its eight seasons, the drama won five Primetime Emmy Awards, two Golden Globes and a Peabody Award. The format has also been successfully adapted in Russia.