Sara (Belgian TV series)

Sara's first episode was a huge success, with an average of 840,000 viewers (it was broadcast in prime time at 8:35 pm). The second episode was broadcast at its regular hour, 6:25 pm. This ensured a fall in viewers of 50%, with an average of 420,000 viewers. The reason is probably a game show, called Blokken, which is very popular in its time slot and starts at the same moment as Sara.[1]

Slowly, the ratings of Sara increased. In December 2007, Sara already had an average of 450,000 to 550,000 viewers. As of February 2008, the ratings increased again, and Sara now has an average of 650,000 to 750,000 viewers. Since then Sara became a direct competitor for Blokken.[2] And the success continued: ratings increased even more, and when VTM moved Sara to prime time again (for the last twenty episodes), ratings doubled and surpassed a million viewers.[3] The final episode gathered more than 1.5mln viewers.[4]

On 13 February 2008, the nominees of the Flemish TV-stars (= The Flemish Emmy's) were announced. 'Sara' was nominated for 3 awards. Veerle Baetens, who plays Sara, and Sandrine Andre, who plays Britt, were both nominated for Best Actor or Actress, but only Veerle Baetens won. The series was nominated for Best Fiction program, but didn't win. Katarakt, another Flemish TV series, won it. The 2 Public Awards, who were announced that night, were for Sara.[5]

• The US version of the show, Ugly Betty, was broadcast on VIJFtv, every Thursday evening. The show started almost 5 months after Sara premiered.
• Actress Veerle Baetens performed at Idool 2007 as Sara. Vera Mann, a rather famous musical performer whom even worked with Baetens, was in the jury. Sara was not selected as she did not had the looks of an idol. Baetens was not recognized. The act was even broadcoasted during Idool and was also part during a dream Sara had in the series.

• Official Site