The third season of YouTube’s popular show, Cobra Kai will premiere on a different streaming platform. Written and executive produced by Josh Heald, and Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg, The Karate Kid sequel series picks up thirty-four years after the All Valley Karate Tournament. However, instead of following Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), Cobra Kai’s protagonist is Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka). The refreshing approach to that rivalry, humor, and loads of nostalgia helped Cobra Kai gain 55 million views on YouTube for its first episode alone.
Season two of Cobra Kai brought the return of John Kreese (Martin Kove) as Daniel opened his own karate training school (named Miyagi-Do) to combat the growing popularity of Johnny’s Cobra Kai. The conclusion of its record-setting season two saw both dojos in peril, leaving fans to anticipate season three (which it had already been renewed for). Unfortunately, those expecting to stream Cobra Kai’s third season for free on YouTube are in for a surprise.
According to Deadline, YouTube plans on releasing season three of Cobra Kai to another streaming platform. The companies original agreement with Sony Pictures TV allowed them exclusive global rights to the series; the new outlet that picks up Cobra Kai will get exclusive rights to season three of Cobra Kai as well as nonexclusive rights to its first two seasons (so fans can catch up). All major streamers are reportedly expressing interest in the series with Netflix and Hulu leading the charge. YouTube will not relinquish their rights to Cobra Kai until a new home is found.
YouTube has been transitioning away from original scripted programming for a couple of years now, focusing more on their unscripted content (something that can continue amid quarantine). Every scripted series, besides Cobra Kai and Liza on Demand, has been canceled. YouTube planned on airing season three of Cobra Kai until they Sony TV got word that the former would not be renewing it for the fourth season. This is when negations began to relocate Cobra Kai and secure its future.
In the era of the coronavirus pandemic and world-wide production shutdown, Cobra Kai is a rare commodity: a hit series, with a completed (and unaired) new season, without a home. YouTube and Sony Pictures TV decision to move Cobra Kai is a timely one; whichever streaming platform acquires Cobra Kai will inevitably benefit from it. In a world where next to nothing is being filmed, companies are hoarding as many shows and movies as they can.
