After being dropped by Warner Bros. Discovery, Sesame Street has found a new home on Netflix. The children’s program, which has been airing for over 50 years, to educate young ones was facing an uncertain future. Now, Elmo, Cookie Monster, Abby Cadabby, and all their friends will be arriving on Netflix later this year. The arrival will feature Sesame Street’s all-new, reimagined 56th season along with 90 hours of previous episodes. They will be available to audiences worldwide.
N IS FOR NETFLIX!
— Netflix (@netflix) May 19, 2025
Sesame Street is joining the Netflix family! Brand new episodes — as well as past seasons — will premiere later this year. pic.twitter.com/SMEqHm29a2
The new season will include some format changes along with the return of fan-favorite segments. This includes Elmo’s World and Cookie Monster’s Foodie Truck. There will be new ways to play along as Cookie Monster opens his very own Cookie Cart on Sesame Street. There will also be the chance to explore Abby’s Fairy Garden, a home to surprising and delightful magical creatures. Episodes will also now center on one 11-minute story. This is to allow for even more character-driven humor and heart.
“This unique public-private partnership will enable Sesame Workshop 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,” Sesame Workshop CEO Sherri Westin said in a statement.
The deal will see new episodes of Sesame Street available the same day and date in the US on PBS stations and PBS KIDS digital platforms. This brings critical learning to children throughout the country for free. Previously, the program aired first on HBO and then on PBS months later. For over five decades, the program has aired on PBS.
“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,” added Paula Kerger, president and CEO of PBS. “We’re proud to continue our partnership in the pursuit of having a profound impact on the lives of children for years to come.”
Sesame Street will arrive on Netflix later this year with its 56th season. Although 90 hours of previous programming will also arrive, some of its library will still remain on HBO Max. The deal with Netflix provides much-needed financial stability for the Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit that makes Sesame Street. It will also expand the program’s reach significantly and provide much more hope for the future. This deal is an unusual one for Netflix, but also one that shows how the streamer values the important mission of the program.
What do you think about Sesame Street heading to Netflix while also remaining on PBS and the PBS Kids app? Do you think this is a good move? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
