Netflix Gives Cobra Kai Fans a New Year's Surprise, Drops Season 3 Early

It wasn't scheduled to land until January 8th, but fans got an early Christmas gift last week when Netflix revealed (via an in-character William Zabka) that it would instead be dropping the long-awaited third season of Cobra Kai today.

Also today: RuPaul's Drag Race begins its 13th season with a rare six-channel simulcast, Doctor Who returns with its annual holiday special, and web searches for "Where did The Office go?" are set to surge. Here's what's new and noteworthy on TV this New Year's Day:

COMPLETE THIRD SEASON: The shining star of Google's now-defunct YouTube Premium streaming service, Cobra Kai begins its first season as a Netflix Original with everyone reeling in the aftermath of the violent high school brawl between their dojos. Watch trailer. Streaming on Netflix

SEASON PREMIERE: Proving that it takes more than a global pandemic to keep a good queen down, RuPaul's Drag Race begins its lucky 13th season with thirteen fabulous new queens and a jaw-dropping new twist. Watch preview. 8:00 PM ET on VH1, Logo, MTV, MTV2, Pop and The CW

SEASON PREMIERE: Picking up where tonight's season premiere leaves off, RuPaul's Drag Race Untucked begins its own thirteenth season at 9:30 PM ET on VH1

HOLIDAY SPECIAL: How can you fight a Dalek without the Doctor? Doctor Who: Revolution of the Daleks sees Yaz, Ryan, and Graham on their own when they discover a disturbing plan forming. Guest stars include Chris Noth, Harriet Walter, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett and John Barrowman as Captain Jack Harkness. Watch preview. 8:00 PM on BBC America

SPECIAL PRESENTATION: Although COVID managed to sideline the Rose Parade for the first time since World War II, The Rose Parade’s New Year Celebration presented by Honda will celebrate in its own way, featuring new performances from Sheryl, Crow, Mickey Guyton, Tori Kelly, Lady A, Rascal Flatts, and more. Airs on ABC, NBC, Hallmark Channel and Univision (check local listings for times)

NCAA FOOTBALL: College football starts off the year with four scheduled bowl games today:

• Cincinnati vs. Georgia at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at 12:00 PM ET on ESPN
• Northwestern vs. Auburn at the Vrbo Citrus Bowl at 1:00 PM ET on ABC Network
• Alabama vs. Notre Dame at the College Football Playoff semifinal - Game 1 at 4:00 PM ET on ESPN
• Clemson vs. Ohio State at the Allstate Sugar Bowl (College Football Playoff semifinal - Game 2) at 8:00 PM ET on ESPN

SWITCHING CHANNELS: It's consistently been among Netflix's most watched series, but today The Office moves to Peacock, which will now be the series' exclusive streaming home. Craig Robinson is happy to take your complaints. Streaming on Peacock

SERIES PREMIERE: After a year like 2020, who among us couldn't benefit from some meditation? The new series Headspace Guide to Meditation takes a friendly, animated look at the benefits of meditation while offering techniques and guided meditations to jump-start your practice. Watch preview. Streaming on Netflix

COMPLETE SECOND SEASON: Shea and Syd McGee are back with new episodes of Dream Home Makeover, in which the husband-wife duo transform a new batch of homes for some very appreciative clients. Watch preview. Streaming on Netflix

SERIES PREMIERE: Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, aka "The Minimalists" are back with The Minimalists: Less Is Now, a new feature documentary focused on the benefits of living with less. Watch trailer. Streaming on Netflix

Jed Rosenzweig is the Founder and Publisher of Primetimer.