With every new month, there are new and returning shows arriving on Netflix. But it also means saying goodbye to some favorites. Unfortunately, that's just how the streaming cycle works when it comes to licensed content. These titles are only available for a limited time, and once their licensing agreements expire, they will be removed from the platform. Sometimes they'll leave for good, and sometimes they’ll return later down the line, depending on whether a new deal is struck.
This August, a beloved ABC comedy series will be departing the streaming platform, and it's unknown if it'll ever make its return. It's a show that took the TV world by storm with its heartfelt story of an underdog navigating the cutthroat world of fashion. It's none other than Ugly Betty. If you weren't a part of the fandom when it originally aired, now's the perfect time to dive in and binge all the episodes before it leaves Netflix.
The streaming giant has put up a removal notice on the show's title page on the platform, making everything official. The complete series is set to depart Netflix on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. This means the last day to watch the comedy show is Thursday, July 31, 2025. This gives you only a couple of weeks to catch up on all four seasons before the series is pulled from Netflix’s library. As long as you stay consistent, you should have no problem squeezing in a full binge before the deadline. We believe in you!
Back in July 2023, Netflix announced that it had acquired all four seasons of Ugly Betty and would be releasing them on its platform on Aug. 1 of that year. However, a removal date was never announced. Now that we know the whole series will be leaving on Aug. 1 of this year, this means the streaming giant had a licensing deal for only two years.
While the show's removal from Netflix is unfortunate, the good news is that it won't be disappearing into the streaming void. In other words, it'll still be available to stream elsewhere. In fact, it's currently streaming on Hulu as well. This is where you'll be able to continue watching Ugly Betty once it leaves Netflix. However, it's important to mention that you'll need to be subscribed to Hulu in order to gain access to the episodes.
Silvio Horta created Ugly Betty, which is based on the Colombian telenovela Yo soy Betty, la fea. It aired on ABC from September 2006 to April 2010, spanning a total of four seasons, and saw much success throughout its run. We're talking about earning numerous awards and a dedicated fan base.
For example, it won three Emmys and two Golden Globes. America Ferrera (Barbie, Superstore) starred in the leading role as Betty Suarez, an ambitious and kind-hearted young woman from Queens who lands a job at a high-fashion magazine despite not fitting the industry's beauty standards. Joining her in the cast were other talented actors such as Eric Mabius, Alan Dale, Tony Plana, Ana Ortiz, Ashley Jensen, Becki Newton, Mark Indelicato, Vanessa Williams, Rebecca Romijn, Michael Urie, and many others.
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