A critical political economy analysis of television football in Turkey within the framework of the industrialization of football

This study is to examine the phenomenon of football, which is followed with great interest by large masses across the world and in Turkey. While the study aims to evaluate the relationship between the football industry and the media in terms of political economy, it also contributes to understanding how sports/football culture has shaped Turkish society. For this purpose, in-depth interviews were conducted with people working in the sports/football media and researchers conducting academic studies in this field in the production base. In the textual base, the study aims to analyze the content of football discussion programs broadcast on television, especially after football games. Within the scope of the study, the interviewees were divided into two categories: one group of participants who make academic contributions to football and the other group of participants who specialize in the media industry related to football. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with a total of 12 participants. As a result, football discussion programs in mainstream media construct a broadcasting approach in which identity presentation, dramatization, contrast, implication, commodification and statistical narrative come to the fore. On the other hand, while this fictional structure affects social relations and public discourse, it continues to affect new generations with the influence of digital media. It is important to examine football content, which has an important place in the digital media economy, in terms of new broadcasting platforms.