How American TV series shaped global perceptions of the US

A recent RFI podcast episode, aired on August 22, 2026, explored how American television series have influenced global perceptions of the United States. The discussion highlighted that shows like 'I Love Lucy,' 'Friends,' 'Beverly Hills,' and 'Law & Order' have ingrained American settings, habits, and lifestyles into worldwide audiences, even without physical travel. The episode examined the concept of soft power, noting that these series have not only entertained but also shaped views on justice, politics, and democracy, and have sometimes reflected societal changes or introduced dystopian narratives like 'The Handmaid's Tale.' While productions from South Korea, Turkey, and Nigeria are gaining ground, American dominance persists, largely due to streaming platforms such as Netflix, Disney+, and Prime. The podcast featured insights from Virginie Martin, a political scientist and researcher at Kedge Business School, co-founder of the Spirales institute, and author of 'Le charme discret des séries' and 'Jeux de pouvoirs' with Bruno Cautrès, a CNRS researcher. Also participating was Corentin Sellin, a US specialist and professor at Lycée Carnot in Dijon, and a columnist for Les Jours.fr. The episode was part of the 'Le monde en séries télé' podcast series on RFI.