Why Ted Lasso's Feel-Good Formula Isn't a Smash Hit in the UK
Interestingly, American audiences seem to adore the British-based show Ted Lasso considerably more than their British counterparts do.
Despite being one of the most significant hits of this young decade, Ted Lasso could have seen even more success if it were distributed on a larger streaming platform such as Netflix or Amazon Prime. Apple TV+ still struggles with limited popularity as a streaming service.
Although Ted Lasso earned the distinction of the best comedy in the US, the show's reception has been quite different in the UK. There, many fans haven't seen a single episode. Let's explore the reasons for this disparity.
One prevalent opinion suggests that Apple TV+ is not particularly compatible with the UK market, primarily because its catalogue of movies and series is notably smaller than those of its competitors — Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu. As a result, without resorting to piracy, many UK fans cannot watch the show as they find it unreasonable to pay a subscription fee just to watch one sitcom, however great that sitcom might be claimed to be.
‘I think it's cracking but I don't think it's too popular. I think it's what platform it's on more than anything, if it was more widely available, I think it'd be big,’ a fan pointed out.
Furthermore, the show is set in England, where Association football (soccer to Americans) is a beloved sport — a stark contrast to its status in the US. Therefore, the writers of Ted Lasso had to dedicate substantial screen time to explaining the rules of the game. This emphasis would be frustrating for potential English fans already well-versed in the sport.
‘The constant in your face reminders about how football works by the commentator whenever there's a match on also takes away from it and forces you to remember you're watching an American made show that has to spell out all the football details,’ another fan lamented.
Additionally, British audiences are generally more accustomed to dry humour, exemplified by popular shows such as Fleabag. Consequently, a feel-good show like Ted Lasso may not align with British comedic tastes.
Ted Lasso Season 3 Episode 11 will arrive on Apple TV + on 24 May 2023.
Source: Reddit.