[1] The two websites also included online streaming (Canlı Yayın) and social networks such as Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube in 2005–2013.

Samanyolu TV is generally assumed to have adopted the name (meaning "Milky Way" in English) with religious connotations.

One may see that the title of the television station plays an important role for the list of programs it airs for its audiences.

Samanyolu TV contains several BBC programs that have heavy emphasis on culture, politics, and utmost religion.

On 30 April 2016, Samanyolu TV's license was revoked and the channel closed by the Radio and Television Supreme Council due to alleged links with the Gülen movement following the coup d'état attempt.

One of the many examples that implements religious content is the television series Küçük Kiyamet (meaning "The Little Apocalypse" in Turkish).

On 14 December 2014 Turkish police arrested more than two dozen senior journalists and media executives, including Samanyolu TV General Manager Hidayet Karaca on charges of "forming, leading and being a member of an armed terrorist organization."

A statement by the US State Department cautioned Turkey not to violate its "own democratic foundations" while drawing attention to raids against media outlets "openly critical of the current Turkish government.