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Home/İstanbul/Media/Samanyolu TV

01 — IDENTITY

lockClosedverifiedVerified recorddescriptionDecree Law No. 668 / RTÜK License Revocation

Son güncelleme: Jun 2, 2026

Samanyolu TV

Samanyolu TV (STV) was one of Turkey's major television networks, founded in 1993 and broadcasting nationally and internationally via Türksat satellite since 1999. The network was part of the Samanyolu Media Group and was considered one of the most prominent media outlets associated with the Gülen movement. It produced popular TV series, news programs, and educational content that reached audiences in North America, Europe, and Central Asia.

Samanyolu TV
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1993
Founded
2016
Closed
Media
Type
İstanbul
Location

Üsküdar

02 — STORY

Story

A verified chain of events from foundation to closure.

  1. 1993Jan 1, 1993

    Channel Founded

    Samanyolu TV was established as one of Turkey's first private television channels.

  2. 1999Jan 1, 1999

    Türksat Broadcasting

    The channel began satellite broadcasting via Türksat, enabling international reach to North America and Europe.

  3. 2014Dec 14, 2014

    Executive Arrests

    Turkish police arrested Samanyolu TV's General Manager Hidayet Karaca and other executives on terrorism charges.

  5. 2015gavelClosureNov 15, 2015

    Türksat Signal Cut

    Türksat ceased transmission of 13 channels belonging to the Samanyolu Media Group.

  6. 2016Apr 30, 2016

    RTÜK License Revocation

    The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) revoked Samanyolu TV's broadcasting license.

  7. Jul 29, 2016

    Permanent Closure

    The network was permanently closed by statutory decree following the coup attempt. All assets were liquidated.

  8. newspaperNewsJul 27, 2016

    The Guardian - Turkey Media Crackdown

    Open sourceopen_in_new
  9. 2024Visual record
    linkSourceJan 1, 2024

    Wikipedia - Samanyolu TV

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03 — VOICES

Voices and traces

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04 — EVIDENCE

Evidence

Official sources, visual archive, and digital traces.

gavelSources(2)

linkSourceJan 1, 2024

Wikipedia - Samanyolu TV

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newspaperNewsJul 27, 2016

The Guardian - Turkey Media Crackdown

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05 — AFTERMATH

After closure

How building, name, and ownership changed from closure to today.

The closure of Samanyolu TV occurred in stages: In December 2014, General Manager Hidayet Karaca was arrested on terrorism charges. On November 15, 2015, Türksat cut transmission of 13 Samanyolu channels. On April 30, 2016, RTÜK revoked the license and the channel announced its closure. The HD simulcast continued until July 26, 2016. On July 29, 2016, a statutory decree permanently closed the network. All broadcasting equipment was liquidated and properties were sold.