Image: ABC
the four seasons of Ugly Betty return to Netflix in the United States on August 1, 2023.
Ugly Betty is an ABC series based on the Colombian telenovela I am Betty the Ugly one which aired from 2006 to 2010.
It centers on Betty Suárez, played by América Ferrera, who defies stereotypes to become an assistant at Mode, a high-end fashion magazine. Despite her initial challenges, Betty eventually wins over both her friends and her adversaries within the fashion world.
85 episodes were released across four seasons in total and streamed on Netflix for a period of time. According NewonNetflix.infoNetflix US previously held the rights to the show until January 5, 2015.
Now, eight years later, the show will return to Netflix alongside its other streaming home, Hulu.
the news of Ugly Betty coming to Netflix comes at a time when the streaming service has been leaning more towards licensed titles of late. As we’ve been covering relentlessly for the past ten years, distributors and studios have slowly pulled out of licenses to Netflix to stock their own newbies. With financial pressures on hollywood (and the strike(s) to boot), licensing has become more prevalent again.
Disney was one of the larger distributors that would no longer license, but that position is now being softened.
Other recently licensed content for Netflix US includes Suits Universal Television seasons 1-8, SMASH seasons 1-4 from Sony Television Pictures, and Insecure HBO seasons 1-4 (plus other HBO titles like basketball players down the line).
Will other Netflix regions receive Ugly Betty?
Netflix’s TUDUM article (mainly about the history of the show) suggests that the show will be coming to Netflix globally, not just in the US. However, only Netflix’s US social accounts have tweeted about the show’s arrival so far, clarifying that it’s US-only.
We’ve contacted Netflix for comment on country-specific details and will let you know when we have a response.
If not coming to Netflix internationally, Disney+ is currently the streaming home for all four seasons in all international territories.
For more on what’s coming to Netflix in the US in August 2023, keep it locked here at What’s on Netflix.