ANKARA, March 16 (Xinhua) -- The Turkish Competition Board on Sunday announced the launch of an investigation into top video and streaming providers in the country over potential violations of competition laws.
According to a statement on the board's website, an initial inquiry into major streaming platforms, both domestic and international, revealed concerns about possible infringement, prompting a formal investigation.
The probe concerns global giants such as Amazon, Netflix, and Disney+, as well as Türkiye's homegrown platform, Exxen.
A key focus is whether Netflix has abused its dominant market position by imposing exclusivity clauses in content licensing agreements and prioritizing its original productions over independent creators.
Subscription-based streaming services have surged in popularity in Türkiye, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, which drove increased demand during lockdowns.
In December, the Turkish competition regulator imposed a fine of some 75 million U.S. dollars on Google following its investigation of advertising practices.
The ongoing probe into streaming platforms could lead to substantial fines and regulatory measures if anti-competitive behavior is confirmed. ■
