Audience demand for “The Great British Bake Off” is 14.8 times the demand of the average TV series in the United States. When the show premiered in 2010, no one predicted it would become a global sensation with fans tuning in far beyond Britain’s borders. It’s now one of Netflix’s most-watched imports, and the show’s gentle competition and quirky charm have found an especially loyal American following.

Americans love “The Great British Bake Off” for its humor, warmth and the rare joy of reality TV built on kindness. Photo credit: Depositphotos.

Part of the appeal is that the Bake Off feels different from the cutthroat cooking shows created in Hollywood studios. It is funny without being mean, smart without being pretentious and educational in a way that sneaks up on you. Viewers who tu

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