Acun Ilıcalı is a Turkish television producer, presenter, and media executive. He was born on 29 May 1969 in Edirne. Ilıcalı began his media career as a sports journalist and gradually became one of Turkey’s most prominent television figures, gaining international recognition through his company Acun Medya. By acquiring several Turkish television channels, he expanded his influence in the media sector and took a step into digital broadcasting with the launch of the digital content platform Exxen. Additionally, as owner of the English football club Hull City AFC, he has made investments in the sports field.

Life and Education

Acun Ilıcalı’s family originates from Ilıca district of Erzurum. His father was a contractor and his mother an educator. Ilıcalı completed his primary education at Edirne İstiklâl Primary School and his secondary education at Kadıköy Maarif College and Kadıköy Anatolian High School in Istanbul. He enrolled in the English Language Teaching Department at Istanbul University but left after seven years without graduating.

At the age of 21, his clothing store went bankrupt, after which he began his television career as a sports journalist at Show TV. He gained prominence through exclusive interviews and became known for his work on the sports magazine program Televole as part of Şansal Büyüka’s team. He soon became widely recognized with his own travel program Acun Firarda and founded his production company, Acun Medya, in 2005.

Media Career

Acun Medya’s first successful project was Survivor Türkiye. Subsequently, it produced content for Turkish television through formats such as Var mısın Yok musun, Yetenek Sizsiniz Türkiye, O Ses Türkiye, Yok Böyle Dans, and Fear Factor. Acun Ilıcalı was not only a producer but also actively participated in these projects as a jury member and presenter.

In 2013, he acquired TV8 and became its owner, broadcasting numerous entertainment programs and competition formats on the channel. In 2016, the sports channel TV8.5 began broadcasting. In 2021, he launched the digital platform Exxen, thereby entering the field of digital content production and broadcasting.

International Ventures

Acun Ilıcalı’s media activities have not been limited to Türkiye. Acun Medya produces content in 14 different countries including the United States, Mexico, Greece, and the Czech Republic. The Exatlon format has drawn international attention, and through local adaptations of global formats such as Survivor and The Voice, he has established himself as a worldwide producer.

In 2022, he purchased Hull City AFC, a team in the English Championship, for 35.46 million euros. As the club’s sole owner, he began serving in this role and became one of the first Turkish businesspeople to invest in English football.

Fenerbahçe Period

Acun Ilıcalı served as vice chairman of the Board of Directors of Fenerbahçe Sports Club during the 2024–2025 season before stepping down from the position. In his statement following his departure, he expressed his continued commitment to the club and his gratitude.

Personal Life

Acun Ilıcalı has been married four times. He married Seda Başbuğ in 1988, with whom he has a daughter named Banu. He lost his family in a traffic accident during a trip with his wife and daughter; his daughter sustained serious injuries but survived. He has two daughters, Leyla and Yasemin, from his second wife Zeynep Yılmaz. In 2013, he had a daughter named Melisa with Şeyma Subaşı. He married Şeyma Subaşı but divorced shortly afterward. In 2024, he married Ayça Çağla Altunkaya.

Social Responsibility and Awards

Acun Ilıcalı has supported social responsibility initiatives such as the 81 İl 81 Okul project. Through the Acun Ilıcalı Education Foundation, he provides scholarships to students in need. He also works on children’s rights issues as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

In 2007, he was awarded the “Crystal Seagull” prize by the Kadıköy Maarif College Alumni Association and was included in Variety’s list of “The World’s 500 Most Influential People in Entertainment.”