What the World Are Tuning Into, Including Brazilian Telenovelas to Heroic Characters Made of Red Bean Paste
Not long ago, this publication explored the wave of global dystopian series arriving to viewers across the globe. These shows brought tales of climate catastrophe, harsh dictatorships, and extraterrestrial attacks from various countries such as South America, Nigeria, and Korea. Aside from revealing global anxieties about societal breakdown, it also emphasized how interconnected the television industry has become in 2025. Streaming platforms, broadcast networks, video platforms, and pirated content can instantly deliver local content from every continent—excluding Antarctica, although it's interesting to consider if any Arctic series exist there.
Still, despite the extent of global intermingling in television today, numerous shows stay mostly unseen outside their home countries despite huge success at home. This week, we aimed to spotlight these programs by inquiring correspondents covering various countries about what people are viewing in their regions. Read on for accounts of morning shows in Jamaica, soap operas from Brazil, and Japan's red bean paste-based animated heroes.
Brazil | Anything Goes
Although Brazil's traditional love affair for telenovelas has been somewhat affected by online platforms and rivalry from K-dramas and shows from Turkey, the most talked-about and most watched television program in Brazil is, expectedly, a telenovela. Vale Tudo is a revival of a production considered as one of the most important of the genre and a massive success in the late 80s, when Brazil was still recovering from a brutal two-decade military dictatorship. The first version revolved around the theme: "Is it worth to be ethical in Brazil?"
The new version—launched during a period of profound political polarisation—has moved away from the original's political focus, but has drawn high viewership and ignited heated online debates. Although many viewers enjoy the reboot, with clips spreading widely on social media, there has also been backlash over alterations to the story and the reproduction of stereotypes often associated with African-descendant women in relation to one of the protagonists.
Nigeria | Big Brother Naija
One could conduct an in-depth study on Nigeria's fascination with neighborly boundaries and the country's ongoing curiosity in observing over twenty strangers confined to a communal house. The current edition of Big Brother Naija is currently airing, and it continues to generate more discussion, particularly on online networks, than virtually every pop culture event except for Premier League football.
Big Brother Naija experiences a degree of cultural breakthrough that makes the show hard to ignore whether or not you aren't a viewer. Contestants can still expect their time on the show into a life of celebrity and brand deals, however temporary. This is likely to continue for as long as the creators maintain their skill to select the ideal combination of contestants who all seem destined for the 24-hour stage.
In Japan | Anpan
Based on the latest figures available, Japan's top-rated regularly scheduled programme is the series Anpan. It's the latest in a long series of 15-minute dramas, called asadora, broadcast in the morning on weekdays by public broadcaster the Japanese broadcasting corporation. Anpan is inspired by the story of a woman named Nobu Komatsu, whose spouse, the creator Takashi Yanase, developed the Anpanman (literally Red Bean Bun Man) picture books and cartoon show that have amused and enthralled generations of children in Japan.
The series recounts the grit-through-to-glory narrative of a female protagonist who lives through the horrors of the World War II and, with her husband, creates a gentle-spirited picture book series in the seventies. Its main character the hero Anpanman—a sweet bun with bean paste with a cape—selflessly helps those in peril and need, even giving pieces of his soft, sweet head to nourish the hungry. Similar to other asadora, the show is visual comfort food, with a touching, inspiring plot that soothes the unsettled mood of today's times.
In Jamaica | Smile Jamaica
Typically, most people in Jamaica access their television shows from the US, but even so the local channel Television Jamaica's the show Smile Jamaica breakfast program continues to be a essential part of the country's routine.
Broadcast from 6-8.30am, with a weekend version on the weekend, it features an eclectic mix of fun segments and segments on heavy topical issues. Viewers can enjoy viral dance and pilates tutorials, interesting conversations with a local performer and the makers of a recent food product, but also debates on Jamaica's firearms laws and the difficult topic of suicide prevention after the country was rocked 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 several annual movie events and the authorities just pledging substantial funds for local film productions.
In Poland | International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition
It's perhaps not the usual definition of a mass-audience show, able to draw millions of viewers. Still, a large part of the country will be glued to their screens for the next three weeks due to the excitement of the new installment of a renowned music contest honoring Poland's composer and virtuoso the composer Chopin.
The nineteenth iteration of the Chopin Piano Competition started recently. It will include 84 pianists from 20 countries—selected from more than 640 submissions—vying for the first place, widely considered a golden ticket to perform in the top international venues.
The event, like the Olympic Games for pianists, takes place quinquennially and draws many of classical music lovers to the Polish capital, with admissions being reserved a long beforehand. This edition, the host nation has thirteen contestants, but musicians from the US, North America, and Asia are regarded as leading contenders.
The event is televised by Poland's national TV and available via live stream, with the champion's performances starting in the latter part of the month.
