They’re ensuring that generations can keep learning on Sesame Street!
After over 50 years of delighting young minds and modeling curiosity, kindness, and community, Sesame Street is officially heading to Netflix. In a new deal announced Monday, the iconic children’s program will debut a reimagined 56th season on the global streaming giant later this year, along with a treasure trove of 90 hours of classic episodes featuring Elmo, Cookie Monster, Abby Cadabby, Big Bird, and more, CNN reports.
“For more than a half a century, Sesame Street has been a beloved cornerstone of children’s media, enchanting young minds and nurturing a love of learning,” the official release declared.
That legacy now enters a new chapter, one that blends time-tested storytelling with a modern-day platform to reach even more families around the world. The move to Netflix follows Warner Bros. Discovery’s decision not to renew its contract to stream the show on Max, formerly known as HBO Max. As a result, the team behind Sesame Street faced a difficult stretch, including layoffs in March, just ahead of production on the new season. Now, thanks to the new partnership, not only is the show receiving a global boost, but longtime fans can rest assured that the Street is still open for learning.
And yes, some of your favorite segments are back. Netflix promises fresh format changes while retaining beloved features like Elmo’s World and Cookie Monster’s Foodie Truck. Each new episode will spotlight one 11-minute story, centering on character-driven humor, heart, and social-emotional learning, the kind that has always set Sesame Street apart.
Importantly, despite the streaming shift, PBS isn’t going anywhere. Sesame Street will still be freely available on public television, continuing its critical mission to reach children from all backgrounds.
“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,” said Paula Kerger, president and CEO of PBS.
Sherrie Rollins Westin, president and CEO of Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit behind the series, called the partnership a strategic match rooted in values.
“This agreement ensures children in communities across the US continue to have free access on public television to the Sesame Street they love,” she said, while also unlocking new reach through Netflix’s global platform.
And in true Sesame Street fashion, the announcement didn’t come quietly. Netflix marked the moment with a now-viral video on social media, showing Cookie Monster chomping into the Netflix logo, captioned: “N IS FOR NETFLIX!”
For millions who grew up with Sesame Street — and for the children just discovering it — this new era signals a promise: that imagination, education, and joy will keep finding their way into homes everywhere. The street is still sunny. The songs are still sweet. And thanks to this new chapter, the lessons will keep on coming.
Cover photo: ‘Sesame Street’ Inks New Streaming Deal, Officially Coming to Netflix/Photo credit: Tudum by Netflix