Hit Netflix Series Moves to YouTube: Why the Show Is Leaving Netflix

One of Netflix's longest-running documentary shows is moving off the platform onto YouTube, where the series will continue.

Somebody Feed Phil, a food-oriented travel documentary series, follows comedy writer Philip Rosenthal as he travels to a different city every episode, trying the local cuisine. Adapted from the PBS series I’ll Have What Phil’s Having, the series jumped ship to Netflix after the publicly-funded broadcaster could no longer afford the production, where it has resided since 2018, for 8 seasons and 49 episodes.

Rosenthal visited Australia, Spain, and Las Vegas in Season 8 of the show, which dropped on Netflix last summer. Since then, he's been busy coordinating the recent Everybody Loves Raymond reunion special, which aired in December. Rosenthal created and co-wrote the hit family comedy series, which aired from 1996 to 2005.

Now, as part of an exclusive deal between Banijay and Rosenthal’s Lucky Bastards production company, new episodes will be available to watch on a new YouTube channel, named Phil Rosenthal World. The YouTube version of the show will feature "short- and long-form original content," according to a press release acquired by Variety.

“Partnering with a filmmaker and storyteller of his caliber is incredibly exciting for us. Alongside Banijay Americas and Banijay Rights, we are proud to support Phil as he ushers his brand into its next era," Ben Samek, CEO Banijay Americas, said in a statement explaining the change. "YouTube represents a natural evolution and a place where audiences can engage with his voice and humor as we build a global digital home for Phil Rosenthal World.” 

The series will no longer require a premium streaming subscription to watch. Rosenthal revealed in a subsequent statement that this, along with his experience working on Everybody Loves Raymond, were primary motivations for the new deal.

“One of the things I always loved about Everybody Loves Raymond was that it was free to watch everywhere,” Rosenthal said in a statement, provided by Variety. “We are thrilled to announce that Somebody Feed Phil will move to YouTube, where our message of family, friendship, food, travel, and laughs can reach the most people.”