TV AIRINGS

Although Santa Barbara was never a ratings succes in the U.S., it aired in about 50 countries around the world. The show was distributed by New World International. French viewers were most often cited as the show's most loyal international fans (it was a top-rated primetime show over there), but it was also highly successful in other countries. As a result, several of the actors achieved cult status overseas, even after they were long gone from the show.

SB was the first American soap to have a regular programming slot in the Soviet Union. It was also the first American soap shown in France, Estonia and the Czech Republic. In Germany, the show aired under the title California Clan. The show was dubbed into such foreign languages as French, Italian, Japanese and German. One wealthy French fan designed his home as a replica of the Capwell mansion and flew in the show's set designer to help him design what the bathroom would look like.

In 1989, SB went on location to Paris when Cruz (A Martinez) and Eden Castillo (Marcy Walker) searched for their missing baby, Adriana. Two years later, the show became the first soap to shoot in Russia when Warren (Jack Wagner) went on assignment to Moscow to interview citizens about the failed coup. In 1992, in collaboration with New World, a nationwide talent search was conducted in Italy and this resulted in the casting of Manuela Metrix Campanero as Countess Carla Rinaldi and Enrico Mutti as Giovanni DeAngelis.