IATSE Strikes Over Unfair Wages on 'CoComelon: The Melon Patch' Live-Action Series

The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) has initiated a strike against the live-action YouTube series "CoComelon: The Melon Patch", citing producers’ refusal to provide fair wages and benefits to crew members.

The union announced its picket line on Wednesday, following unsuccessful attempts to unionize the production. The strike began seven days into a planned 16-day shoot.

“IATSE is ON STRIKE against ‘CoComelon: The Melon Patch,’ a live-action spin-off of the union-made animated series. Rather than provide fair wages and benefits to the crew, the producer is trying to hire scabs for the production that’s shooting in Sun Valley, Calif.”

TheWrap has reached out to Moonbug Entertainment, the producer of "CoComelon", for comment.

IATSE has revealed that 22 crew members who worked on the first season of "The Melon Patch" returned for the second season. These crew members have reported declining working conditions and increased workloads. The union also claims producers have already begun hiring replacement workers to replace the striking crew.

About "CoComelon: The Melon Patch"

Allie Rivera Quiñonez stars as Ms. Appleberry, a fictional preschool teacher in the series. Alongside other educators, she uses music, creativity, and play to help toddlers grasp essential life concepts. The series is a live-action spin-off of the original animated "CoComelon" YouTube videos, which gained massive popularity during the 2010s.

The show "The Melon Patch" premiered in September 2025.

Upcoming "CoComelon" Projects

• A feature-length "CoComelon" film is scheduled for release by Universal Pictures in February 2027.
• Netflix will continue streaming spin-offs such as "CoComelon Lane" and "Blippi".
• The primary animated "CoComelon" series, including all existing seasons, will transition from Netflix to Disney+ in 2027.