What the World Are Tuning Into, Including Brazilian Telenovelas to Superheroes Created from Red Bean Paste

Not long ago, our coverage looked into the wave of international post-apocalyptic dramas making their way to audiences across the globe. These shows brought tales of environmental disaster, harsh dictatorships, and extraterrestrial attacks from various locations such as South America, Nigeria, and Korea. Beyond revealing global anxieties about societal breakdown, it also emphasized how interconnected the TV landscape has become in 2025. Streaming platforms, broadcast networks, YouTube, and pirated content can instantly deliver regional shows from every continent—excluding Antarctica, though it's interesting to consider if any penguin-themed dramas exist there.

Still, despite the extent of international exchange in TV today, many programs remain mostly unseen beyond domestic borders despite massive popularity locally. Recently, we aimed to highlight these programs by inquiring correspondents covering different nations about the shows audiences are viewing in their areas. Continue for stories of morning shows in Jamaica, soap operas from Brazil, and Japan's sweet bean-filled animated heroes.

In Brazil | Anything Goes

Although Brazil's traditional passion for soap operas has been somewhat affected by streaming services and competition from K-dramas and Turkish equivalents, the most discussed and most watched television program in Latin America's largest country is, unsurprisingly, a telenovela. Vale Tudo is a revival of a production regarded as one of the key in its category and a massive success in 1988 and 1989, when Brazil was recovering from a harsh 20-year authoritarian rule. The original version revolved around the theme: "Does it pay to be ethical in Brazil?"

The updated series—launched during a time of profound political polarisation—has largely abandoned the political themes of the first, but has drawn high viewership and sparked heated online debates. While many viewers like the new version, with clips spreading widely on social media, there has also been backlash over changes to the original plot and the reproduction of stereotypes commonly linked to African-descendant women in relation to one of the protagonists.

In Nigeria | BBNaija

One could write a compelling dissertation on Nigeria's fascination with social dynamics and the nation's ongoing curiosity in observing more than two dozen strangers confined to a communal house. The latest season of BBNaija is currently airing, and it continues to drive more conversation, especially on social media, than any other pop culture event except for soccer matches.

Big Brother Naija experiences a degree of mainstream penetration that makes the drama hard to ignore whether or not you don't watch it. Participants can still expect their time on the show into a life of fame and brand deals, however temporary. This will endure for as long as the creators maintain their incredible ability to choose the perfect mix of participants who all seem born for the 24-hour stage.

In Japan | Anpan

Based on the most recent data available, Japan's highest rated consistently aired show is Anpan. It's the latest in a long series of short daily series, called asadora, aired in the morning on weekdays by public broadcaster the Japanese broadcasting corporation. The show is based on the story of Nobu Komatsu, whose spouse, Takashi Yanase, developed the Anpanman (literally Red Bean Bun Man) picture books and cartoon show that have amused and captivated multiple age groups of children in Japan.

The series tells the rags-to-riches narrative of a young woman who experiences the horrors of the World War II and, alongside her spouse, creates a kind-hearted book collection in the seventies. Its hero the hero Anpanman—a red-bean-filled pastry with a cape—generously aids those in danger and distress, even giving pieces of his soft, sweet head to feed the starving. Similar to other asadora, Anpan is soothing viewing, with a heartwarming, uplifting plot that calms the anxious atmosphere of today's times.

Jamaica | The Morning Show

Typically, most people in Jamaica access their television shows from the US, but even so the local channel TVJ's the show Smile Jamaica morning show continues to be a essential part of the national daily life.

Airing from 6-8.30am, with a weekend version on the weekend, it features an diverse range of fun segments and segments on serious current topics. Audiences can see popular dance and exercise guides, interesting conversations with a Jamaican Michael Jackson impersonator and the producers of a recent food product, but also debates on gun regulations in Jamaica and the tough subject of suicide prevention after the country was rocked by the passing of a former Miss Universe Jamaica contestant at just 26. The program is a great example of Jamaica's heavy investment in its film and TV industry, with multiple local film festivals and the government just pledging substantial funds for domestic movie projects.

In Poland | International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition

It's perhaps not the standard idea of a mass-audience show, able to draw huge audiences. Still, a large part of the country will be tuned in for the coming weeks following the excitement of the latest edition of a prestigious piano competition celebrating Poland's composer and virtuoso the composer Chopin.

The 19th edition of the Chopin Piano Competition began this week. It will include eighty-four musicians from twenty nations—selected from over six hundred applicants—contending for the first place, widely considered a golden ticket to perform in the world's greatest concert halls.

The event, resembling the global sports event for pianists, takes place every five years and attracts many of music enthusiasts to the city of Warsaw, with tickets being reserved a year in advance. This time, the home country has 13 participants, but pianists from the US, North America, and Korea are seen as leading contenders.

The event is broadcast by Poland's public broadcaster and available via live stream, with the champion's concerts beginning in the latter part of the month.