Why isn’t it called The Great British Bake Off in the US?
The Great British Bake Off has a different name in the US
While everyone calls the show The Great British Bake Off no matter if you’re in the U.K. or in the U.S., the show isn’t actually named that in America. In fact, it’s officially called The Great British Baking Show. It doesn’t exactly have the same ring to it. But why the name change?
It all has to do with rights and who owns the rights to the phrase “bake off.” In the U.S., Pillsbury, the company with the Doughboy for a mascot, owns the rights to “bake off.” Of course, it has to do with a company. It’s America, right? Pillsbury runs their annual Pillsbury Bake Off (which used to be known as the Grand National Recipe and Baking Contest) and guess what? The company didn’t like that the show was using its thing. UGH.
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When the change first occurred in 2017 from GBBO to GBBS, PBS’ public editor, Madhulika Sikka, wrote a piece to explain what was going on and why the new name actually works better for the show.
"It is in fact the beauty of The Great British Bake Off that it is a reality show, with an elimination contest that doesn’t feel that way. Come for the competition, stay for the conviviality."
She also states that the “Bake Off” phrase doesn’t exactly fit a show that is so welcoming, supportive, and friendly.
The Great British Bake Off changed to The Great British Baking Show in the U.S.
Maybe I’m bitter or maybe I just don’t like a company having a right to certain words or phrases, but I like the U.K. name better. The contestants do have to bake their butts off to win the competition, so the “Bake Off” name fits much better than “Show.”
Whichever name you prefer, the shows are exactly the same. The hosts are the same (depending on the season), the judges are the same, Paul Hollywood gives out the same number of handshakes, and season 1 of The Great British Bake Off features the same contestants as season 1 of The Great British Baking Show,
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Did you know about the difference between the names? Which one do you prefer? Let us know in the comments below!