Beloved fuzzy monsters are packing their bags for a digital migration as Netflix announces it will become the new streaming home for “Sesame Street,” rescuing the iconic children’s program after Warner Bros. Discovery opted not to renew its contract. The streaming giant has secured worldwide premiere rights for the series, with Season 56 set to debut later this year.
The groundbreaking agreement establishes a partnership that preserves free access for American children while expanding the show’s global footprint. According to the official announcement from the Sesame Workshop, the “unique public-private partnership” between Netflix, PBS, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting will “enable Sesame Street to continue to help children everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder.”
Fresh Format Brings Big Changes to the Neighborhood
The upcoming season will introduce viewers to a refreshed approach to the beloved series. Each episode will now revolve around a single 11-minute narrative, allowing for “even more character-driven humor and heart,” according to Sesame Workshop. This shift represents a significant change from the show’s traditional magazine-style format.
Fans can also look forward to a new animated segment called “Tales From 123,” which will take viewers inside “the most famous apartment building in the world” to explore “the wacky and whimsical building that Elmo, Cookie Monster, and friends call home.”
Alongside these innovations, the new season will bring back favorite segments, including Elmo’s World and Cookie Monster’s Foodie Truck. The reimagined format will also feature Cookie Monster opening his own Cookie Cart on Sesame Street and introduce Abby’s Fairy Garden, described as “a home to surprising and delightful magical creatures.”
Maintaining Public Television Roots While Embracing Digital Future
Unlike previous streaming arrangements, this deal ensures immediate accessibility across platforms. Under the HBO/Max agreement that began in 2016, new episodes premiered on the streaming service with a nine-month delay before appearing on PBS. The Netflix partnership changes this dynamic significantly. Episodes will now be available simultaneously on both Netflix and PBS platforms.
Paula Kerger, President and CEO of PBS, emphasized the continuing importance of the relationship, stating: “I strongly believe that our educational programming for children is one of the most important aspects of our service to the American people, and ‘Sesame Street’ has been an integral part of that critical work for more than half a century.”
Sherrie Rollins Westin, President and CEO of Sesame Workshop, highlighted how the arrangement combines expanded reach with continued accessibility: “This unique public-private partnership will enable us to bring our research-based curriculum to young children around the world with Netflix’s global reach, while ensuring children in communities across the U.S. continue to have free access on public television to the Sesame Street they love.”
The deal includes rights to 90 hours of previous episodes and grants Netflix permission to develop video games based on both “Sesame Street” and “Sesame Street Mecha Builders.” The streaming service noted that children’s and family programming currently represents 15% of its total viewing hours.
For Netflix, acquiring “Sesame Street” strengthens its position in the family entertainment space, where it already features popular titles like “Ms. Rachel,” “Gabby’s Dollhouse,” “CoComelon Lane,” and “Blippi.” The move provides a stable future for the legendary program that has earned more than 200 Emmy Awards throughout its 50-plus-year history.
In a playful nod to the new partnership, Netflix released a promotional video showing Cookie Monster admiringâand then promptly devouringâthe streaming service’s signature “N” logo.
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