Kareem Rahma launched a long-form version of Keep the Meter Running exclusively on YouTube on May 13, 2026, followed by a Brandcast pitch and a premiere at the Metrograph in New York City.
On SmartLess, Kareem Rahma reflected on the origins of the project, noting, "I decided to make a show, and I was like, 'Why isn't there just a TV show that's distributed on TikTok and Instagram?' And it was called Keep the Meter Running."
The transition from short-form social clips to long-form streaming has sparked immediate comparisons to legendary travel hosts. On SmartLess, Kareem Rahma acknowledged the legacy he is being measured against, stating, "the Keep the Meter Running feels like, like a Bourdain-esque, like people have said-" while referencing Anthony Bourdain.
With the YouTube machine now fully behind the production, the industry is watching to see if the Bourdain comparison holds up as the episodes expand in scope.
