The Young Pope Goes to Washington: The Distribution Paths of an “Italian” Series on US Television

Abstract

Analyzing in detail the US distribution path of The Young Pope, co-production between Sky, Hbo and Canal+, the article intends to demonstrate how in its American circulation this “Italian” television fiction has dialogued with a distinct media system and was re-packaged to meet the expectations of a different audience. From the promotional campaign to the creation of hype even before airing, from the scheduling choices to ratings data, from the US vision of the production process and of its costs to critical and media reception, and to the first steps of the sequel The New Pope, it is highlighted how the co-production status is renegotiated according to the logic of a different destination context, limiting as much as possible the “Italian” components. The case study also offers the chance for general thoughts on the recent international development of Italian TV fiction and on its effects, not always foreseen.