Dubai-based broadcasting giant MBC has pulled all its Turkish dramas and soap operas from its assorted Arabic-language channels.

Local reports say that MBC has confirmed the move with spokesman Mazen Hayek declining to say how the decision came about. “There is a decision that concerns several media outlets in many Arab countries that Turkish dramas are to be taken off air, including MBC. That was from 1am Saudi Arabian time on March 2,” Hayek is quoted by Associated Press.

Reports out of Turkey say that the decision emanated from the Saudi Arabia “royal court”.

Al Jazeera, as well as other news sites, say that diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia – which owns MBC – and Turkey are at an all-time low.

Turkish soap operas and dramas are hugely popular across the Arab world, and MBC itself has established its own production house (O3 Media) in Turkey to tap into the popularity.

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