Boardroom explores how streaming platforms are embracing YouTube-originated series like Pop the Balloon, Cobra Kai, and Insecure and what it means for the future of entertainment.
It’s no secret that YouTube and other streaming platforms are revolutionizing the evolution of content creation.
A significant trend over the past decade has been the migration of successful YouTube series to mainstream platforms like Netflix and HBO. As part of a broader digital evolution, YouTube series have transitioned from internet side projects to the main stage, turning online fame into primetime TV slots.
Last week, Netflix announced that the viral Pop the Balloon YouTube dating series is going live with renowned host Yvonne Orji. The reimagined dating show will stream live every Thursday at 8 p.m. ET starting April 10, featuring some familiar contestants from other reality TV shows.
Are streaming services becoming the go-to destination for creators looking to expand their audiences and grow their projects into something more substantial? This is clearly becoming a trend, so let’s examine how some of the most iconic YouTube series have found new life on television.
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The YouTube Effect
Pop the Balloon is the latest example of a YouTube series crossing over to a major platform, but it isn’t the first. We’ve seen some iconic series start on the web before reaching a larger audience. Like past deals, creators Bolia Matundu and Arlette Amuli will remain as executive producers, ensuring the show’s vision remains intact. Pop the Balloon has streamed nearly 50 episodes and garnered over 100 million views.
There has been an upstick in the YouTube-to-TV pipeline in the last decade. Netflix’s Ted Sarandos recently told Business Insider that Netflix is better for creators than YouTube since its platform can help finance projects at the creation stage. Sarandos noted that YouTube creators fund their own content without upfront pay, calling it a risky model. He pointed out that even top YouTuber MrBeast has lost money making videos because the platform doesn’t have a great recovery model.
While Sarandos makes a valid point, Netflix’s push into creator-led content hasn’t been as aggressive as it claims. However, Netflix has one YouTube-to-streaming hit that took the world by storm: Cobra Kai. The series, a continuation of the classic Karate Kid franchise, premiered on YouTube Red (now YouTube Premium) in 2018. The show, which brought together the original Karate Kid characters, Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso, in a battle of old-school martial arts rivalry and new-school drama, was initially seen as a niche hit.
Cobra Kai‘s first episode on YouTube racked up 55 million views and went on for two seasons on the platform before Netflix acquired the rights in 2020 to stream the series. According to Netflix’s latest engagement report, viewers streamed 249.5 million hours of Cobra Kai Season 6, Parts 1 and 2, between July and December 2024. The final installment in the series dropped in February, paving the way for the upcoming film Karate Kid: Legends, set to hit theaters on May 30.
Another standout in the YouTube-to-TV transition is Issa Rae‘s Awkward Black Girl, which eventually evolved into the hit HBO series Insecure. Initially launched as a web series on YouTube, Awkward Black Girl quickly gained attention for its unique portrayal of an awkward, introverted black woman navigating the complexities of life and relationships in a relatable and often humorous way. Rae’s dedicated YouTube channel for the series had over 200,000 subscribers and over 20 million views across episodes. Awkward Black Girl ran for two seasons on YouTube between 2011 and 2013 before HBO picked up the series in 2015 and adapted it into Insecure in 2016.
Insecure ran for five successful seasons on HBO before the series concluded in 2021. While viewership demographics for Insecure vary, episodes averaged around 1.5 million viewers on premiere days. Rae’s YouTube series served as a proof of concept and backup to the strong pilot that got HBO’s attention. Streaming services can leverage YouTube analytics in this way to gauge audience engagement and potential before investing in content.
Broad City, created by Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson, began as a web series on YouTube in 2009 before becoming a Comedy Central hit that ran for five seasons between 2014 and 2019. It has authentic humor and a cult following, drawing over a million viewers per episode at its peak. Similarly, the quirky animated series, Adventure Time, first appeared on YouTube after being passed over by Nickelodeon. It went viral, securing a spot on Cartoon Network, where it amassed over 3 million views and evolved into a beloved franchise from 2010 to 2018.
These success stories underscore how YouTube can be more than just a platform — it’s often the first draft of TV history.
Why This Trend is More Than a Fad
The rise of YouTube-to-TV shows represents a shift in how content is consumed, produced, and even distributed. With millions of users consuming YouTube content daily, many creators have found success by directly engaging with their audiences and building strong communities. Platforms like Netflix, HBO, and even Hulu are keenly aware of this massive fan base and the potential in adapting web content for television.
For creators, the benefit of starting on YouTube lies in the platform’s flexibility and creative freedom. For the platforms themselves, it’s a win-win situation. They get access to established fanbases and proven content that has already resonated with audiences. As the lines between traditional television and online content continue to blur, creators will have more opportunities to take their work from the digital world to the living room.
Ultimately, this evolution is a testament to how content creation has become more democratized. This trend will likely continue, with YouTube and other digital platforms serving as vital pipelines for the next generation of television hits.
As technology advances and platforms continue to expand their reach, we can only expect this trend to accelerate.
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