Newsletter-21

119 COMPETITION LAW of viewers annually increased at an average rate of 9.4%, and reached 61.4 million in 2014, and the total turnover annually increased at an average rate of 15.1%, reaching TRY 654 million in 2014. However, it is underlined that the amount of tickets sold per person was only 0.8; whereas, the same amount was an average of 1.8 in EU countries 1 . Furthermore, the Report also indicated the total number of viewers in the countries where the total population is approximate to Turkey; accordingly, the total number of viewers in France was 209 million, and 122 million in Germany. It may be concluded that the Report calls attention to the potential growth in this projection market. Similarly, the Competition Authority calls attention to the in- crease in the number of movie theaters. In accordance with the recent trends in the projection market, the Report points out that the single movie theater businesses have been replaced by multi-movie theater businesses located in shopping malls, and that 71% of movie theat- ers in Turkey are located in shopping malls. The market share of the movie theater chains is behind the market share of the independent movie theaters due to the increase in the recent years, and has reached a market share of 58%. The Report also points out that 60% of the pro- jection services are provided by 10 movie theater chains, and among these movie theater chains, the market share of MARS is significantly higher than its closest competitor. Therefore, it is projected that the MARS Group will preserve, or even increase, its market power due to the increase in the market shares of the movie theater chains that are located in shopping malls. The Report also makes certain determinations as to consumer preferences in the Turkish cinema industry. Accordingly, despite the fact that the number of foreign films projected in Turkish cinemas increases every year, local films have a higher audience rate. 59% of viewers watch local films; whereas, foreign films attain 41% of the audience. In this respect, the Turkish market distinguishes itself apart from other European markets, and it is the market where local films are watched the most among other European markets. Additionally, 1 For more detailed information on viewer numbers, please see Competition Au- thorty’s Cinema Services Sector Report, p. 16: http://www.rekabet.gov.tr/File/? path=ROOT%2f1%2fDocuments%2fSekt%C3%B6r+Raporu%2fsinemasektor. pdf (Access date: 03.05.2016).