Fans of the iconic children's series, Sesame Street, can rejoice as the beloved show, which has been captivating audiences since its debut in 1969, is set to continue its journey on new platforms. After HBO and Max decided not to renew their deal at the end of 2024, Sesame Street is now making a significant move to Netflix and PBS. This transition ensures that the educational and entertaining content of Sesame Street remains accessible to viewers worldwide.
Starting soon, new episodes of Sesame Street will be available for streaming on Netflix globally, alongside the show's extensive catalog of past episodes. Simultaneously, these new episodes will also air on PBS stations and be accessible on the PBS Kids platform on the same day they are released. This strategic move not only broadens the show's reach but also maintains its long-standing relationship with PBS, which has been a partner for over 50 years.
In an exciting development, Netflix's growing focus on gaming will see the introduction of video games inspired by Sesame Street and its spinoff, Sesame Street Mecha Builders. This expansion into interactive media offers fans a new way to engage with their favorite characters and learn through play.
The announcement of this new partnership was made on May 19 via Sesame Street's social media channels. The Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit behind the series, expressed gratitude for the continued support from Netflix, PBS, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. This collaboration represents a unique public-private partnership aimed at empowering children around the world to grow smarter, stronger, and kinder.
We are excited to announce that all new Sesame Street episodes are coming to @netflix worldwide along with library episodes, and new episodes will also release the same day on @PBS Stations and @PBSKIDS platforms in the US, preserving a 50+ year relationship.
The support of… pic.twitter.com/B76MxQzrpI
— Sesame Street (@sesamestreet) May 19, 2025
As Sesame Street enters its 56th season, viewers can anticipate some structural changes. Each episode will feature an 11-minute story, drawing inspiration from other popular character-driven children's shows like Bluey. However, the essence of Sesame Street will remain intact, with beloved segments such as Elmo’s World and Cookie Monster’s Foodie Truck making a return.
Originally airing its first episode in November 1969 and joining the PBS network in the 1970s, Sesame Street has been a cultural phenomenon from the start. In 2015, HBO and Max entered into a $35 million deal to produce new episodes, a partnership that concluded at the end of 2024 as the streamers shifted away from children's programming. Despite this, the Sesame Street library will remain available on HBO and Max until 2027, albeit without the production aspect of the original agreement.
