How 'Cobra Kai' went from obscurity to No. 1 on Netflix

[IronLionZion]

https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/31/media/cobra-kai-netflix-youtube-red/index.html

New York (CNN Business)After languishing in relative obscurity on YouTube Red, the "Karate Kid" spinoff "Cobra Kai" has become one of the fastest-rising series on streaming. That's the power of Netflix.

The digital series, which stars much of the original cast of the 1980s "Karate Kid" movies, debuted three years ago on YouTube Red, the site's subscription service now known as YouTube Premium, and ran for two seasons.

It won critical acclaim, and even a couple of Emmy nominations, but it lacked a big audience.

Netflix announced in June that it scooped up the rights to "Cobra Kai" as YouTube Premium shifted away from scripted original content.
The first two seasons landed on Netflix on Friday, and quickly shot up to No. 1 on the platform's trending ranks.

I watched both seasons over the past few days and loved it. There is a lot of 80's nostalgia and ridicule of modern day culture. But the main thing is how relatable many of the characters are. They're not clean cut heroes and villains in this series. It shows the complexity of human nature and differences in perception, and how good/bad coaching can completely change a student's life. And I can't be the only person who relates to Johnny Lawrence's need to be badass while everyone around you calls you a worthless bum.

Cobra Kai Never Dies

Anyone here watching it?

[wcmagumba]

1. I watched the first three episodes and liked it...

sort of a guilty pleasure as I felt that I shouldn't like it (for some reason)....I'm going to watch the rest...

[IronLionZion]

3. I assumed it would be lame when I heard about it 2 years ago

The first 2 episodes are free on Youtube and then one has to get it through Netflix or Amazon Prime. Those 2 episodes were enough to pull me in all the way. It's very addictive, with funny moments, surprises, and lots of familiarity for fans of the movies, and more.

[Keth]

15. Hmmm...

..I've seen "Cobra Kai" pop up when I log into Netflix, but it didn't really interest me. Maybe I should give it a try - I could use a guilty pleasure. Especially since I recently watched the "Slumlord Millionaire" episode of Dirty Money on Netflix. The fact that Jared Kushner is a White House advisor is disgusting. He should be in jail. Why did I even watch this? I knew it would piss me off.

[matt819]

2. Well. . .

If Netflix puts a movie or TV show on its home screen, and keeps it there, it is likely to get views. And lots of them.

As for the #1 this week, #2 this week - are they still doing that? I didn't notice it last night - a show can reach those spots if they are promoted. And, think about it, we have no way of confirming that a particular show is #1, #2, etc. And we also don't know - well, at least I don't know - the extent to which producers/distributors are paying Netflix to promote their productions. And, then, there's also the incentive for Netflix (and Prime, etc.) to promote their own productions over others. For me? I will try a show if it looks like it'll be interesting to me. Don't care about how it's ranked or promoted or even how successful it is.

Then there's the issue of how production companies get paid by Netflix, or, for that matter, how Netflix earns money on its productions on other platforms.

[ace3csusm]

4. Loved it i saw it on Youtube Red subscribed just to watch it...

Yes lots of 80's nostalgia , and it actually gave a more in depth look at Johnny life and Daniel SOn , ps i started to cheer for Johnny as it looked he was now the good guy and Daniel was becoming the bully...

[IronLionZion]

11. Agreed

although more than good guy vs bully, now it seems like the underdog vs the one with advantages

[exboyfil]

5. Very respectful of the original IP

while extending to a more nuanced story.

Lots of other franchises could learn from how this was handled. My wife and I watched the Karate Kid movies while dating, and we loved sitting down and seeing how the characters changed over 30 years.

The actor who said "Get him a body bag" has an ironic scene that was very touching especially knowing what happened to the actor soon after filming.

Star Wars, Terminator, Doctor Who, and Star Trek could learn some lessons on how to handle the original IP. The problems they are experiencing now is in direct response to not understanding those lessons.

I thought The Watchmen also did a good job with the original IP except the degradation of Ozymandias. I thought that could have been handled a bit better.

[IronLionZion]

9. Yes, Rob Garrison passed away last year

it was very respectful of them to write him into the show. That's how I first heard about this show was when a DUer posted that he died. The showrunners and directors did a very good job with this series. Macchio and Zabka are exec producers so they must be a big part of respecting the original IP. Pat Morita died years ago and his character's memory lives on.

I liked Watchmen and was hoping they would make another season.

[Thomas Hurt]

6. Been watching a few of them, then they brought the old Cobra kai sensei in the mix...

It was interesting when it was just about Johnny and Daniel working out their pasts.

Now, it just seems like it is over the top soap opera, instead of just soap opera. Last one I watch they seemed to be hinting at martin kove's character is manipulating Johnny again...

I am going to have to watch to see if Johnny and Daniel end up working together and running Kove's character out of town

[IronLionZion]

7. Things aren't always what they seem

there is a running theme of perception vs reality and evolution of characters through their training and attitudes.

[Thomas Hurt]

8. Oh yeah that is true, I am by no means set on that being the outcome...

besides they got to keep people engaged and keep the story arc moving for as many seasons as they want or can.

[Faux pas]

10. Just

discovered it thanks to my son. I love it!

[TexasBushwhacker]

12. OMG Ralph Macchio will be 59 in November! N/t

[IronLionZion]

13. He's older than Bill Zapka, but looked much younger. nt

[demmiblue]

14. :Raises hand:

[Harold Shea]

16. I was pleasantly surprised at how good it is.

[IronLionZion]

17. Season 3 came out early January, Season 4 is expected for this fall