Netflix

This extremely popular YouTube dating series comes to Netflix: Everything you need to know about ‘Pop the Balloon’

Having proved a success on YouTube, the reality dating show has now been brought to Netflix, in a live-TV format.

Mike Blake

British journalist and translator who joined Diario AS in 2013. Focuses on soccer – chiefly the Premier League, LaLiga, the Champions League, the Liga MX and MLS. On occasion, also covers American sports, general news and entertainment. Fascinated by the language of sport – particularly the under-appreciated art of translating cliché-speak.

Update: Apr 13th, 2025 18:00 EDT

A reality dating show that has proved hugely popular on YouTube, Pop the Balloon has been now brought to Netflix, after the streaming giant released its own, live version of the program.

Presented by the actor and comedian Yvonne Orji, Netflix’s take on the show premiered with its first episode earlier this week.

Pop the Balloon on Netflix: what to know

On Netflix, Pop the Balloon follows largely the same format as its original version, which routinely accrued seven-figure viewing audiences on YouTube.

“In each episode,” Netflix explains, “singles line up, and other participants ‘pop the balloon’ of anyone they’re not feeling - instantly eliminating them from the dating pool.

“Sparks fly, feelings flare, but one thing’s for sure: When your balloon pops, so does your shot at love.”

However, there are major differences between the YouTube and Netflix shows.

What changes has Netflix made?

Firstly, Orji is in as presenter in place of the YouTube show’s Arlette Amuli - who, together with husband and co-creator Bolia Matundi, is an executive producer of the new version.

What’s more, Netflix’s lineups of contestants feature reality-TV personalities - including Johnny Bananas, Chase DeMoor and Zaina Sesay - rather than exclusively focusing on unknown daters.

And, most notably, Netflix “promises even more drama, dilemmas, and raw, unfiltered romance” with its shift to a live format.

Pop the Balloon on Netflix - watch the official trailer:

What has the response been to Pop the Balloon on Netflix?

Netlfix’s first episode of Pop the Balloon, which aired on Thursday evening, does not seem to have entirely stuck the landing.

Writing in The Cut, reviewer Allie Jones said the live format gave participants free rein to unleash a barrage of uncut, excessively derogatory comments about one another.

“Over the course of the 45-minute episode, contestants made uncomfortable, loud remarks about each other’s age, race, general attractiveness level, and even the state of their toes,” Jones wrote.

She concluded: “By the time the cast was dancing through the credits, I was more convinced than ever that our society is deeply ill.”

Meanwhile, The Grio critic Natasha S. Alford says the Netflix show’s casting choices appear to be problematic.

“‘Pop The Balloon’ on YouTube was unofficially a very Black dating show, but this new cast included only two Black women contestants in the lineup of women, with two Black male suitors out of five,” Alford says.

“While the diversity itself wasn’t bad, a subtle message that the show’s contestants needed to be whiter for it to ‘work’ in mainstream TV didn’t sit well with viewers, whether it was intended or not.”

When can you watch Pop the Balloon on Netflix?

Pop the Balloon streams live on Netflix every Thursday at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT.

How much is a Netflix subscription?

Viewers in the U.S. can sign up to Netflix’s ad-free standard plan for $17.99 a month, and to its ad-free premium plan for $24.99 a month. A standard plan with ads is also available, for $7.99 a month.