Gönül Dağı Wins the First Ratings Battle Against Mercan Köşk

The new Turkish television season has wasted no time creating a ratings story worth watching. On Saturday, September 5, Gönül Dağı returned for its seventh season on TRT1, while Mercan Köşk made its highly anticipated debut on atv. The first ratings report shows a close contest between the established favorite and the newcomer, with Gönül Dağı taking the lead in the key Total category.

According to the ratings results reported by Turkish television journalist Birsen Altuntaş, Gönül Dağı scored 2.93 in Total to rank first, while Mercan Köşk followed closely with 2.78.

That narrow difference is one of the most interesting details from the opening night. It suggests that Mercan Köşk has entered the Saturday-night competition with a respectable initial audience, even though it was competing directly against a long-running series with an established viewer base.

Gönül Dağı Starts Season 7 at the Top

For Gönül Dağı, the opening result provides an encouraging start to its seventh season. The TRT1 drama has built a loyal audience over the years, and its return immediately generated enough interest to place it at the top of the Total ratings table.

The official TRT1 page confirms that the series returned with its seventh season on September 5 and continues in the Saturday 8 p.m. slot.

A 2.93 Total rating is particularly significant because the first episode of a new season often sets the tone for the weeks ahead. Maintaining that momentum will now be the challenge as the season develops and competing programs settle into their schedules.

Mercan Köşk Makes a Strong First Impression

The bigger question surrounding Saturday’s results was how Mercan Köşk would perform in its first outing.

The answer is promising. With a 2.78 Total rating, the new atv drama finished second, just 0.15 points behind Gönül Dağı.

Mercan Köşk arrived with a strong promotional campaign and a story built around family conflict, secrets, revenge and romance. The official atv material describes the drama as a story involving two rival families, while the central storyline follows Cemre as she searches for her missing husband and becomes drawn into the world surrounding Mercan Köşk.

Its setting also gives the series a distinctive visual identity. Filmed around Tarsus, the production places its characters against an atmosphere of historic homes and orange groves, elements that have featured prominently in the show’s promotional imagery.

AB Ratings Tell a Different Story

The picture changes when the AB demographic is considered.

The Türkiye–Serbia volleyball match dominated this category with a 3.41 rating. Gönül Dağı ranked fourth with 2.58, while Mercan Köşk placed sixth with 1.86.

This is an important reminder that television ratings cannot always be interpreted from one category alone. A major live sporting event can significantly influence viewing habits, particularly among specific audience groups.

For Gönül Dağı, finishing fourth despite the competition gives the season opener a respectable position. For Mercan Köşk, the lower AB figure shows that its audience profile may develop differently from its Total performance as more episodes become available.

ABC1 Keeps Gönül Dağı Near the Top

The ABC1 results were also favorable to Gönül Dağı. The volleyball match led with 3.25, followed by Gönül Dağı in second place with 2.79. Mercan Köşk ranked fourth with 2.33.

The ABC1 figures arguably provide the most encouraging snapshot for both dramas. Gönül Dağı remained within the top two, while Mercan Köşk managed fourth place on its debut night.

That combination makes the new series’ first performance more noteworthy than the Total table alone might suggest.

What the Results Could Mean for the Season

It is too early to call a long-term winner after one episode. Gönül Dağı has the advantage of brand recognition and an established audience, while Mercan Köşk has the opportunity to build momentum as viewers become more familiar with its characters and storyline.

The 0.15-point difference in Total ratings also leaves plenty of room for movement. If Mercan Köşk maintains its debut audience or grows it in the coming weeks the Saturday ratings race could become considerably more competitive.

For now, however, Gönül Dağı has the first victory of the season, while Mercan Köşk can take confidence from a second-place Total finish and a solid ABC1 result.

Final Thought

The first Saturday of the new Turkish TV season has delivered a surprisingly close contest. Gönül Dağı leads the opening ratings battle, but Mercan Köşk is already showing that it should not be overlooked. With both series now established in their Saturday slots, the next few episodes will reveal whether this opening-night gap widens or disappears altogether.

For continuing Turkish television news, ratings updates, casting stories and entertainment coverage, follow BuzzwithRiz.com

SOURCE: Birsen Altuntas, TRT 1, ATV, IMDB

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