A short time ago, this publication explored the wave of global post-apocalyptic dramas arriving to viewers worldwide. These series delivered tales of climate catastrophe, harsh dictatorships, and alien invasions from various countries such as South America, Nigeria, and Asia. Aside from highlighting global anxieties about institutional collapse, it also underscored how interconnected the television industry has become in the current year. Streaming platforms, satellite channels, YouTube, and pirated content can instantly deliver regional shows from every continent—except Antarctica, though one might wonder if any penguin-themed dramas exist there.
However, despite the extent of global intermingling in television today, many shows remain largely unknown outside their home countries despite huge success locally. This week, we aimed to spotlight these series by inquiring journalists covering various countries about what audiences are watching in their regions. Read on for stories of morning shows in Jamaica, soap operas from Brazil, and Japan's red bean paste-based animated heroes.
Brazil | Anything Goes
Even if Brazil's longstanding love affair for telenovelas has been slightly influenced by online platforms and competition from K-dramas and shows from Turkey, the most discussed and highest-rated TV show in Brazil is, unsurprisingly, a soap opera. Anything Goes is a revival of a production considered as one of the key of the genre and a huge hit in 1988 and 1989, when Brazil was recovering from a harsh 20-year authoritarian rule. The first version centered on the question: "Is it worth to be ethical in Brazil?"
The updated series—launched during a time of deep political division—has moved away from the political themes of the first, but has achieved strong ratings and sparked heated online debates. Although numerous fans enjoy the new version, with clips going viral on social media, there has also been backlash over alterations to the story and the reproduction of stereotypes commonly linked to Black women in relation to one of the main characters.
Nigeria | Big Brother Naija
One could conduct an in-depth study on Nigeria's interest with neighborly boundaries and the nation's ongoing curiosity in observing more than two dozen strangers confined to a communal house. The latest season of Big Brother Naija is on now, and it still manages to drive more conversation, especially on online networks, than virtually every entertainment happening aside from Premier League football.
Big Brother Naija enjoys a degree of mainstream penetration that makes the show difficult to avoid whether or not you don't watch it. Participants can typically leverage their time on the show into a career of celebrity and brand deals, even if short-lived. This is likely to continue for as long as the producers keep up their skill to choose the perfect mix of participants who all seem born for the 24-hour stage.
Japan | Bean Paste Hero
Based on the most recent data available, Japan's highest rated consistently aired show is the series Anpan. It's the latest in a long series of 15-minute dramas, called asadora, broadcast in the morning Monday through Saturday by public broadcaster NHK. Anpan is inspired by the life of Nobu Komatsu, whose husband, Takashi Yanase, created the Anpanman (meaning Bean Paste Man) picture books and animated series that have amused and captivated generations of Japanese kids.
The series recounts the grit-through-to-glory story of a young woman who experiences the horrors of the second world war and, alongside her spouse, creates a kind-hearted book collection in the 1970s. Its main character Anpanman—a sweet bun with bean paste with a cape—generously aids those in danger and distress, even giving parts of his own head to feed the starving. Like most asadora, the show is soothing viewing, with a heartwarming, inspiring plot that calms the unsettled mood of today's times.
In Jamaica | Smile Jamaica
Typically, the majority in Jamaica get their media content from the US, but despite this the domestic station TVJ's the show Smile Jamaica morning show remains a critical part of the national daily life.
Broadcast from 6-8.30am, with a weekend version on the weekend, it offers an diverse range of light entertainment and segments on serious current topics. Audiences can enjoy viral dance and pilates tutorials, intriguing interviews with a local performer and the makers of a recent food product, but also discussions on gun regulations in Jamaica and the tough subject of mental health awareness after the country was rocked by the passing of a beauty pageant alumna at just 26. The program is a prime illustration of Jamaica's heavy investment in its entertainment sector, with several annual movie events and the authorities recently announcing millions in local currency for domestic movie projects.
In Poland | Chopin Piano Contest
It's perhaps not the standard idea of a mass-audience show, able to draw huge audiences. Still, much of Poland will be glued to their screens for the coming weeks due to the excitement of the latest edition of a renowned piano competition celebrating Poland's composer and virtuoso Fryderyk Chopin.
The nineteenth iteration of the Chopin Piano Competition started recently. It will include 84 pianists from twenty nations—narrowed down from over six hundred applicants—vying for the top prize, widely considered a key opportunity to play in the world's greatest concert halls.
The event, resembling the Olympic Games for keyboard artists, is held every five years and draws many of classical music lovers to the city of Warsaw, with tickets selling out a year in advance. This edition, the home country has thirteen contestants, but musicians from the United States, North America, and Korea are seen as leading contenders.
The competition is broadcast by Poland's public broadcaster and streamed online, with the champion's performances beginning in the latter part of the month.
