This article discusses how GoogleTV allows expatriates and Americans living abroad to watch their favorite foreign television shows on their TV screens. GoogleTV enables viewers to stream web content from sites like shows' websites or YouTube directly to their televisions. The article interviews several employees of the translation company Acclaro about foreign shows they enjoy, such as Spanish, British, French, Italian and game shows. It speculates that if GoogleTV launches internationally, American television exports like "The Daily Show" may gain more global viewership traditionally dominated by shows like "Baywatch".

1. Thanks, Google: Our Favorite Foreign TV Shows,
Brought Closer
This article was originally published on the Acclaro blog.
Category: Technology, Culture
Many expatriates and repatriated Americans find themselves watching
their favorite TV show on their computer screen or phone simply because
the show isn’t broadcast in the States. Do you love the wildly popular
“East Enders” from the UK, “Slovakia’s Next Top Supermodel”, or Hong
Kong’s “Super Trio Game Master”? More than likely you can’t watch them
on your TV screen and have to resort to the shows’ website or YouTube
videos.
Enter GoogleTV, which allows you to watch web content on your TV.
While this may not seem revolutionary — going from your laptop or
phone screen to your TV screen — just think about how the world opened up to you on a big
screen, from your couch. At a click of the remote, you can delve into the popular culture of
nearly any country on the planet. (See demo.)
Want to brush up on a language and can’t afford language classes or a plane ticket? Sit on the
couch and watch and listen to some programs in that language. Want to learn how to play
cricket, yet live 100 miles from the closest cricket club (not to mention that you don’t readily
have access to a crispy clean, all-white cricket uniform)? Turn on the TV and learn how to play
from the best in the world.
For expats or repatriated Americans, the most exciting aspect of GoogleTV is being able to
watch their favorite TV shows from another country actually on a TV. A quick chat with Acclaro
employees revealed some shows that they look forward to watching on a large screen:
Laura: “¿Dónde estás, corazón?” From Spain, this “news” show is about Spanish celebrities. It
only airs in the States on a local TV station in Miami.
Angela: “Top Gear” On the Britain’s venerable and eclectic BBC (also on BBC America, if you’re
fortunate enough to get that via cable), “Top Gear” is “more than a car show” with stunts, celeb
guests and adventures on four wheels.
Page 1: Thanks, Google: Our Favorite Foreign TV Shows, Brought Closer Copyright © Acclaro 2012

2. Michael: “Les Guignols de l’Info” For the past 20 years, this news satire from France has irked
politicians and put a sourire (smile) on viewers’ faces.
Ana: “Love Bugs” This Italian sitcom features the inane and very demonstrative dialogue of a
modern couple (it doesn’t hurt that the main actress is George Clooney’s girlfriend).
Stephanie: “Des chiffres et des letters” A very quiet, non-glamorous, yet mesmerizing game
show wherein contestants demonstrate their skill at math and French vocabulary. The Vanna
White of the show, Arielle Boulin-Prat, doesn’t wear a sequenced ball gown while revealing
letters; she wears sensible suits while looking up words in a huge dictionary.
Alessia: “Passaparola” Actually banned from Italian TV due to its blatant political criticism, this
show is available on video via its website and YouTube. Now, it can be viewed finally on a real
TV set.
What will happen if GoogleTV is launched overseas? America’s major TV export has been
“Baywatch”, the most watched TV show in the world of all time, with over 1.1 billion viewers a
week. This dominance might change if/when GoogleTV allows international audiences to hang
on every word of “The Daily Show” on TV.
So, step aside, "Baywatch". Jon Stewart is ready to give overseas viewers a lifesaving breath of
American TV.
About Acclaro: Acclaro is an international translation and localization company that
helps the world’s leading brands succeed across cultures. We translate websites,
marketing campaigns, documents and software to give clients an authentic voice in
key language markets.
North America: 1-866-468-5106 Worldwide: +1-914-468-0222
www.acclaro.com sales@acclaro.com
Page 2: Thanks, Google: Our Favorite Foreign TV Shows, Brought Closer Copyright © Acclaro 2012