The original post: /r/television by /u/AporiaParadox on 2025-08-07 12:56:21+00:00.
TV shows are usually meant for the audiences of the countries they’re made in, and if they do well in other countries it’s a nice bonus. Things have changed a little now that global streaming is a factor, but back in the day only domestic ratings mattered to determine if a show got renewed or not.
But sometimes, a show that was made with no expectaction for international success ends up being surprisingly popular in other countries, sometimes even more popular than in its own country.
One of the biggest modern success stories like this is Squid Game, it’s popular in South Korea, but it’s a now a worldwide sensation. Another famous example is how the show Columbo was surprisingly popular in Japan, remaining a cultural icon there to this day.
So what other shows were surprisingly popular in other countries?