Group Three.

In her article, Ugly Betty goes Global, Jade Miller discusses the phenomenon of the hit telenovela "going global" and discusses what it means for the flow of media and communication around the globe.  Miller states that 'Ugly Betty' is a tale easily transferable to many different contexts and cultures because of its universal theme of 'rags to riches' and its general melodramatic storyline. 

On the surface, the success of Ugly Betty seems to be a triumph of South-to-North contra-flow - the south feeding the west its own version of reality and culture, for once. But, Miller draws and interesting conclusion that is critical the field of International Communication take time to consider.  She states that, "the show appears more a product of global networks of culture and capital, rather than a product of the global South or a clear example of South-to-North contra-flow."  The show has been created, recreated, imported, exported, adapted and manipulated by so many global corporations that it has ceased to be from any specific cultural origin, but rather a product of many global networks and conglomerates who seek capital. One way they find it is by resting their bets on the growing interest in telenovelas and universally appealing themes and storylines.  She ends stating that Ugly Betty is an example of "culturally-specific content with both local and global appeal."

This local and global appeal that programs must meet is a relatively new phenomenon, as satellites, cables, and the internet connect our globe, under cutting the control national governments once had over the content of programming.  Now, huge conglomerates, like Time Warner, seek to find programming that works in a local area or region and capitalize on it world wide (why re-invent the wheel, eh?).  This will be an interesting trend to watch unfold in the near future as telenovelas, movies, sports, news become more similar in their programming and storytelling regimes.  We are beginning to see a "global culture" led by the goal these huge communication corporations have to seek global capital, first and foremost.  Even with that very stark catalyst, the world sharing stories, sharing culture and sharing news and entertainment in an increasingly varied and easy flow, will provide provide an interesting, and perhaps in ways, positive global culture.