What the World Are Tuning Into, Including Brazilian Telenovelas to Superheroes Created from Red Bean Paste
Recently, our coverage looked into the trend of international dystopian series making their way to viewers worldwide. These shows brought stories of environmental disaster, violent autocracy, and extraterrestrial attacks from various locations such as South America, Africa, and Korea. Beyond revealing global anxieties about societal breakdown, it also underscored how linked the television industry has become in the current year. Online services, satellite channels, video platforms, and unofficial streams can quickly provide regional shows from across the world—except Antarctica, though it's interesting to consider if any penguin-themed dramas exist there.
Still, even with the high level of global intermingling in television today, numerous shows stay mostly unseen outside their home countries despite huge success at home. Recently, we set out to spotlight these programs by inquiring journalists covering various countries about what people are watching in their regions. Continue for stories of Jamaican breakfast television, soap operas from Brazil, and Japanese sweet bean-filled animated heroes.
In Brazil | Vale Tudo
Even if Brazil's longstanding passion for soap operas has been slightly influenced by online platforms and competition from Korean series and shows from Turkey, the most discussed and highest-rated TV show in Brazil is, unsurprisingly, a soap opera. Vale Tudo is a reboot of a production regarded as one of the key in its category and a massive success in the late 80s, when Brazil was recovering from a harsh 20-year authoritarian rule. The first version revolved around the theme: "Does it pay to be honest in Brazil?"
The updated series—released during a period of profound political polarisation—has largely abandoned the original's political focus, but has achieved strong ratings and sparked intense discussions on the internet. While numerous fans like the new version, with scenes spreading widely on social media, there has also been backlash over changes to the original plot and the reproduction of stereotypes often associated with African-descendant women in relation to one of the main characters.
Nigeria | Big Brother Naija
You could conduct an in-depth study on Nigeria's fascination with neighborly boundaries and the nation's continued interest in observing over twenty strangers confined to a communal house. The latest season of BBNaija is on now, and it continues to drive more conversation, particularly on social media, than virtually every pop culture event except for soccer matches.
BBNaija experiences a degree of mainstream penetration that makes the show difficult to avoid even if you don't watch it. Contestants can typically leverage their time on the show into a life of celebrity and endorsements, however temporary. This is likely to continue for as long as the producers maintain their incredible ability to select the perfect mix of contestants who all seem destined for the 24-hour stage.
In Japan | Bean Paste Hero
According to the most recent data available, Japan's highest rated regularly scheduled programme is Anpan. It's the latest in a long series of 15-minute dramas, called asadora, aired in the morning on weekdays by national network NHK. Anpan is based on the life of a woman named Nobu Komatsu, whose husband, the creator Takashi Yanase, developed the Anpanman (literally Red Bean Bun Man) children's books and cartoon show that have entertained and captivated generations of Japanese kids.
The series tells the grit-through-to-glory narrative of a female protagonist who lives through the atrocities of the World War II and, alongside her spouse, establishes a gentle-spirited book collection in the seventies. Its hero the hero Anpanman—a sweet bun with bean paste wearing a cape—selflessly helps those in danger and need, offering parts of his own head to feed the hungry. Similar to other asadora, the show is soothing viewing, with a touching, inspiring story that calms the unsettled mood of today's times.
In Jamaica | The Morning Show
Typically, most people in Jamaica get their media content from the US, but despite this the local channel TVJ's Smile Jamaica breakfast program continues to be a essential part of the national daily life.
Airing from early morning, with a weekend version on Saturdays, it offers an diverse range of fun segments and sections on heavy topical issues. Viewers can see viral dance and pilates tutorials, intriguing interviews with a Jamaican Michael Jackson impersonator and the producers of a recent food product, but also discussions on gun regulations in Jamaica and the difficult topic of suicide prevention after the country was shaken by the passing of a beauty pageant alumna at just 26. The show is a prime illustration of Jamaica's heavy investment in its entertainment sector, with multiple local film festivals and the government recently announcing millions in local currency for local film productions.
Poland | Chopin Piano Contest
It's perhaps not the standard idea of a mass-audience show, capable of attracting millions of viewers. Nevertheless, a large part of the country will be glued to their screens for the coming weeks following the twists and turns of the latest edition of a prestigious music contest honoring Poland's composer and virtuoso the composer Chopin.
The nineteenth iteration of the International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition started this week. It will include eighty-four musicians from twenty nations—selected from more than 640 submissions—vying for the first place, often seen as a golden ticket to play in the world's greatest concert halls.
The competition, resembling the global sports event for pianists, is held quinquennially and draws many of music enthusiasts to the Polish capital, with tickets selling out a long beforehand. This edition, the host nation has thirteen contestants, but pianists from the United States, Canada, and Asia are regarded as some of the favourites.
The event is televised by Poland's national TV and available via live stream, with the winner's performances beginning in the latter part of the month.
