Socrates Dergi
Socrates Dergi is a privately held Istanbul-based sports media company founded in 2015 that publishes a bi-monthly Turkish-language print and digital sports magazine (99 issues to date), alongside a YouTube video network, podcast slate, and branded merchandise store, monetizing through magazine sales, advertising, and brand partnerships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersIstanbul
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Socrates Dergi does
Socrates Dergi is a privately held Turkish sports media company headquartered in Istanbul, founded in 2015 as the publisher of the bi-monthly print and digital magazine "Socrates Dergi," branded as "Düşünen Spor Dergisi" (The Thinking Sports Magazine). The company has published 99 issues as of June 2026, covering basketball, football, cycling, Formula 1, volleyball, tennis, and other sports through long-form journalism, themed editions, and exclusive interviews with elite international sports figures. Its editorial positioning differentiates from mainstream Turkish sports media by emphasizing cultural analysis and historical context.
The company operates a multi-format content platform consisting of the core magazine (distributed via Can Yayınları retail and the Dergilik digital subscription channel), Socrates Stüdyo (a YouTube video network running programs such as EuroStep, Amerikan Mutfak, 0-40, Çok Biliyorsun, Londra Merkez, and Biz Bize), Socrates Podcast (audio programs distributed on Spotify and SoundCloud including Geri Dönüyoruz, Yeni Medya 451, Olimpik Hafıza, Socrates FC, and Transatlantik), and Socrates Dükkan (a Shopify-based e-commerce store selling past issues and branded merchandise, including collaborative fashion collections with Les Benjamins and Reflect Studio). Additional owned properties include the 2026 FIFA World Cup microsite and an interactive NBA standings prediction tool.
The business model combines consumer magazine sales (97 TL per issue), advertising and sponsored content from named enterprise partners (including McDonald's Turkey as the official FIFA World Cup 2026 sponsor, Eurosport for content access, Paribu, and Lokum), and one-time merchandise sales. The company is privately held, has no disclosed external funding, operates with 11–50 employees, and serves Turkish sports enthusiasts seeking in-depth, culturally analytical sports coverage.
Socrates Dergi firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Socrates Dergi
- Legal name
- Socrates Dergi ve Dijital Yayıncılık Sanayi A.Ş.
- Website
- https://socratesdergi.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Socrates Dergi is a privately held Istanbul-based sports media company founded in 2015 that publishes a bi-monthly Turkish-language print and digital sports magazine (99 issues to date), alongside a YouTube video network, podcast slate, and branded merchandise store, monetizing through magazine sales, advertising, and brand partnerships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Socrates Dergi industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Sports Media Publishing
- NAICS
- Periodical Publishers (513120), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210)
- SIC
- Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sports & Recreation Magazines (MPAJAEAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Sports Highlights, Clips & VOD Libraries (MPAKAOAF)
Keywords
Where Socrates Dergi is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Istanbul
Markets served
Socrates Dergi business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Magazine Sales: Sale of physical and digital magazine issues. Issue #99 (June 2026, World Cup special) is available for purchase at Can Yayınları retail locations and online.
- Merchandise: Socrates Dükkan (Socrates Store) sells past magazine issues and branded Socrates products including collaborative merchandise with partners like Les Benjamins and Reflect Studio.
- Sponsored Content and Advertising: Sponsored articles and partnerships with brands such as McDonald's Turkey for FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage, featuring promotional content and branded collections.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Magazine Issue #99 - World Cup Special |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Socrates Dergi product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Socrates Dergi publishes a Turkish-language sports magazine ("Düşünen Spor Dergisi" — The Thinking Sports Magazine) in print and digital formats, covering basketball, football, cycling, Formula 1, volleyball, tennis, and other sports through long-form journalism and exclusive athlete interviews. It complements the magazine with two owned digital content channels — Socrates Stüdyo (YouTube video programs) and Socrates Podcast (audio programs on Spotify/SoundCloud) — plus a branded merchandise e-commerce store (Socrates Dükkan). Revenue is generated through magazine sales, advertising/sponsored content, and merchandise.
Product overview
Socrates Dergi is a Turkish sports magazine and multi-platform digital media company offering print and digital magazine content alongside a portfolio of video and podcast programs. The core offering is the Socrates Dergi print/digital magazine (99 issues as of June 2026), covering basketball, football, cycling, Formula 1, volleyball, and tennis through long-form journalism and interviews. This is complemented by two digital content channels: Socrates Stüdyo (YouTube video programs including EuroStep, Amerikan Mutfak, 0-40, Çok Biliyorsun, Londra Merkez, Biz Bize, and Sana Laflar Hazırladım) and Socrates Podcast (audio programs including Geri Dönüyoruz, Yeni Medya 451, Olimpik Hafıza, Socrates FC, Transatlantik, and Çok İyidir, Çok Severim). Supplementary offerings include Dergilik (digital magazine access), Socrates Dükkan (merchandise e-commerce with partner collections), an NBA interactive bracket tool, and a 2026 World Cup editorial hub.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Socrates Stüdyo: Video production and YouTube channel featuring video programs including EuroStep, Amerikan Mutfak, 0-40, Çok Biliyorsun, Londra Merkez, Biz Bize, Voleybol Ülkesi, Oyna Devam, and Sana Laflar Hazırladım.
- Socrates Podcast
- Socrates Dükkan
Products and services
- Socrates Dergi (Magazine) A Turkish sports magazine published in print and digital formats, covering basketball, football, cycling, Formula 1, volleyball, tennis, and other sports through in-depth features, exclusive interviews, and long-form storytelling for sports enthusiasts.
- Socrates Stüdyo (Video Channel)
Companies that use Socrates Dergi
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Socrates Dergi technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Socrates Dergi partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- McDonald's TurkeycoreOfficial FIFA World Cup 2026 sponsor partnership featuring promotional content, limited-edition collection glasses featuring David Beckham, Ronaldinho, Thierry Henry, Heung-Min Son, and Lamine Yamal, and themed menus. McDonald's Turkey also collaborates on content with football commentators and influencers.
- Les BenjaminsminorCollaborative clothing collection 'Les Benjamins x Socrates' featuring sports-inspired fashion designs. The partnership combines Socrates Dergi's sports journalism brand with Les Benjamins' fashion expertise.
- Reflect StudiominorCollaborative 'United' collection inspired by legendary footballers, launched in May 2024. The collection featured artwork from artists including Hüseyin Sandık, Ethem Onur Bilgiç, and Furkan Nuka Birgün.
- EurosportcoreContent partnership providing access to Eurosport commentators for exclusive interviews including Alberto Contador (cycling), Jens Voigt (cycling), Robbie McEwen (cycling), John McEnroe (tennis), Chris Evert (tennis), Justine Henin (tennis), Tim Henman (tennis), Jim Courier (tennis), and Jimmy White (snooker).
- ParibuminorSponsorship partnership for 'Çok Biliyorsun' video program, branded as 'Socrates x Paribu'.
- LokumminorPresenting sponsor for 2026 World Cup special coverage site (socratesdergi.com/dunya-kupasi), featuring fixtures, brackets, articles, and World Cup content.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Socrates Dergi competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Mundial Magazine: Independent print and digital magazine focused on football culture, history, and storytelling. Closest comparable to Socrates Dergi in positioning as a 'thinking football/sports magazine' producing high-quality cultural sports journalism rather than news.
- These Football Times: Long-form football culture publication with print magazine, online articles, and books. Highly comparable editorial approach to Socrates Dergi—thoughtful, cultural sports journalism spanning history and contemporary themes.
- The Players' Tribune: Athlete-first storytelling platform publishing first-person long-form essays and video. Comparable to Socrates Dergi in its exclusive interview-led editorial model and athlete access, though with a digital-native distribution focus.
- Huck Magazine: Independent print and digital magazine covering action sports, culture, and storytelling with a design-forward editorial voice. Comparable to Socrates Dergi in independent magazine ethos, themed issues, and culture-led sports content.
Broad incumbents
- Eurosport: Pan-European sports broadcaster and digital platform with rights across cycling, tennis, snooker and more. Direct strategic partner of Socrates Dergi via commentator access; broadly comparable as a multi-sport storytelling destination.
- Sports Illustrated: Iconic American sports magazine and digital platform producing long-form sports journalism, athlete interviews, and themed issues. Direct comparable to Socrates Dergi in magazine-first sports storytelling model, but operates at much larger global scale and broader scope.
- The Ringer: Sports and pop culture digital media company with strong podcast and video portfolio. Comparable to Socrates Dergi's strategy of pairing written storytelling with a podcast/video studio (Socrates Stüdyo, Socrates Podcast).
- The Athletic: Subscription-based sports journalism platform covering multiple leagues with long-form, in-depth reporting. Compares to Socrates Dergi's analytical, multi-sport, long-form sports journalism positioning, scaled globally with a paid subscription model.
Regional players
- NTV Spor: Turkish sports news and media brand covering football, basketball and other sports with articles and video. Comparable regional sports media competitor and a potential outlet/channel in the same Turkish audience.
- BeIN Sports Türkiye: Major Turkish sports broadcaster providing digital sports content, news, and video programming. Comparable as a Turkish-market multi-sport media competitor covering football, basketball, tennis and more.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks4 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Socrates Dergi social profiles
Digital presenceSocrates Dergi financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Socrates Dergi leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Socrates Dergi funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Socrates Dergi M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Socrates Dergi
What does Socrates Dergi do?
Socrates Dergi publishes a Turkish-language sports magazine ("Düşünen Spor Dergisi" — The Thinking Sports Magazine) in print and digital formats, covering basketball, football, cycling, Formula 1, volleyball, tennis, and other sports through long-form journalism and exclusive athlete interviews. It complements the magazine with two owned digital content channels — Socrates Stüdyo (YouTube video programs) and Socrates Podcast (audio programs on Spotify/SoundCloud) — plus a branded merchandise e-commerce store (Socrates Dükkan). Revenue is generated through magazine sales, advertising/sponsored content, and merchandise.
Is Socrates Dergi a public or private company?
Socrates Dergi is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Socrates Dergi founded?
Socrates Dergi was founded in 2015. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Socrates Dergi based?
Socrates Dergi is headquartered in Istanbul.
How does Socrates Dergi make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Magazine Sales are the primary driver. The others are merchandise and sponsored Content and Advertising.
Who are Socrates Dergi's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Mundial Magazine, These Football Times, The Players' Tribune and Huck Magazine. Broad incumbents are Eurosport, Sports Illustrated, The Ringer and The Athletic. Regional players are NTV Spor and BeIN Sports Türkiye.
Does Socrates Dergi have an API?
No public API is recorded for Socrates Dergi.
What industry is Socrates Dergi in?
Socrates Dergi's product category is Sports Media Publishing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJAEAJ, Sports & Recreation Magazines, with a secondary code of MPAKAOAF, Sports Highlights, Clips & VOD Libraries. Its NAICS code is 513120 and its SIC code is 2721.