The Ultimate Guide to Turkish TV Ratings: Total, AB, and ABC1 Explained

If you are a fan of Turkish series, you have probably experienced the anxiety of waking up the morning after a new episode airs to check the "Ratings". In Turkey, ratings are a matter of life and death for a TV show. A drop of a single point can result in an immediate cancellation, leaving a story permanently unfinished.

But what do all those numbers and categories actually mean? Let us break down the complex world of Turkish TV Ratings as seen on Vartolo.

The Three Main Demographics

Ratings are measured by electronic devices installed in thousands of selected households across Turkey. The data is divided into three primary socio-economic categories:

1. TOTAL (The General Public)

The Total category represents the entire viewing audience, regardless of their education level, income, or social status.

• Why it matters: This is the rawest measure of a show's popularity across the masses. High action, traditional family dramas, and rural stories usually dominate the Total category.

2. AB (The Educated Elite)

The AB category represents viewers with higher education levels (university graduates) and higher income brackets (professionals, managers, business owners).

• Why it matters: Advertisers love the AB group because they have the most purchasing power. A show with a low Total rating but a high AB rating might survive simply because premium brands are willing to pay top dollar to advertise during its commercial breaks. Psychological thrillers and modern urban romances tend to perform well here.

3. ABC1 (The Middle-to-Upper Class)

The ABC1 category is a blend. It includes the educated AB group, plus a portion of the middle class (C1) who have stable incomes but perhaps not a university degree.

• Why it matters: ABC1 is often considered the most balanced and crucial metric by modern producers. If a show captures the ABC1 demographic, it means it has mass appeal and purchasing power.

The Rating Thresholds: When Should You Worry?

• 7.0 to 10.0+: A massive hit. The show is untouchable and will likely run for multiple seasons.
• 5.0 to 6.9: Solid and safe. The channel is happy, and the story will progress naturally.
• 3.0 to 4.9: The danger zone. Writers will start introducing dramatic plot twists to boost numbers.
• Below 3.0: Critical condition. The channel is likely preparing a rushed finale within 1 or 2 episodes.

Now that you understand the rules of the game, you can follow the weekly broadcast battles on our main dashboard like a true industry insider!