Is Ugly Betty the most successful TV show ever?

Cafe Society
1

I’m not talking qualitatively (though I certainly am a fan), but as far as the number of versions that are aired and the number of viewers of all versions. There are currently several different (I understand “very different” as far as plot and characterization) versions in productions and the American version alone (which is- what- the 4th or so adaptation since the Colombian original?) is viewed in several countries.
From wiki, Broadcasts outside the U.S..

I know that Baywatch (which to my knowledge only had the one version [unless you include Borat’s]) had some phenonomenal viewership overseas, and of course the U.S. and U.K. have traded shows for years (Sanford & Son, All In the Family, Three’s Company and its spinoffs, etc., and there are Brit versions of Who’s the Boss? and a couple of other shows) but has any other show ever had Ugly Betty’s success in being developed by several different casts for different cultures and in the number of viewers?

2

The Office has/had versions in the UK, USA, France, Germany and Quebec.

3

Some of the reality shows have local versions in many countries. Take Pop Idol, for example. According to Wikipedia, “it has spun off many successful shows such as American Idol, Australian Idol, Latin American Idol, Idols (Denmark, Netherlands, Finland, South Africa), Canadian Idol, Idols West Africa, Indian Idol, Indonesian Idol, New Zealand Idol, Philippine Idol, Hay Superstar, Nouvelle Star , Deutschland sucht den Superstar, Singapore Idol, Malaysian Idol, Music Idol, Ídolos Brazil, Ídolos Portugal, and Super Star.”

Or take Endemol’s Big Brother, which has, again according to Wikipedia, versions in almost seventy countries.

4

Yes, but those are versions. They’re all different productions.

In fact, the Colombian production of the telenovela that “Ugly Betty” is based on (“Betty la fea”) was the most watched TV show in the world at one time. All of Latin America, U.S. Spanish language TV, the Philippines, Spain, Italy, Portugal, etc.

5

Well, the OP did specify “the number of versions that are aired” so isn’t that what we’re talking about?

6

I know there are local versions of Sesame Street as well, but have no idea how many.

7

This was what I was going to say. I think the honor goes to Sesame Street. Almost every country or region has its own version. Even in Saudi Arabia!

8

OH MY GOD!

9

I found about this through this Board: Evidently The Nanny has nine foreign adaptations (in addition to all the syndicated runs of the original US version):

10

Nearly all successful US TV series have broadcasts throughout the world. Baywatch, for instance.

However, as of July 31, 2006, the most popular TV show in the world was CSI: Miami. I doubt Ugly Betty has surpassed it.