Netflix Secures Sesame Street: New Episodes Post-HBO Max Deal
- By Aaron
- May 23,2025
Fans of the iconic children's show, Sesame Street, can rejoice as the series, which has been delighting audiences since 1969, will continue its journey on new platforms. Following the conclusion of its deal with HBO and Max at the end of 2024, Sesame Street is set to stream on both Netflix and PBS, ensuring its beloved characters and educational content remain accessible to families worldwide.
New episodes will be available on Netflix, alongside a comprehensive catalog of past episodes, reaching a global audience. Simultaneously, these new episodes will premiere on their air date across PBS stations and PBS Kids in the U.S., maintaining the show's long-standing relationship with public broadcasting. This move not only expands the show's reach but also aligns with Netflix's strategy to enhance its gaming offerings. Subscribers will soon have the opportunity to engage with Sesame Street-themed video games and the spinoff series, Sesame Street Mecha Builders, directly through the Netflix app.
The announcement of this exciting new partnership was made on May 19 via Sesame Street's social media channels. "The support of Netflix, PBS, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting serve as a unique public-private partnership to enable Sesame Street to continue to help children everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder," stated the Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization behind the series.
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.
— Sesame Street (@sesamestreet) May 19, 2025
The support of… pic.twitter.com/B76MxQzrpI
As Sesame Street enters its 56th season, the show will introduce structural changes to its format, featuring an 11-minute story segment per episode. This shift aims to cater to modern viewing preferences, taking inspiration from character-driven shows like Bluey. However, classic segments such as Elmo’s World and Cookie Monster’s Foodie Truck will continue to captivate young viewers, blending the new with the cherished.
Sesame Street first aired in November 1969 and joined the PBS network in the 1970s, quickly establishing itself as a cultural phenomenon. In 2015, HBO and Max entered into a $35 million agreement to produce new episodes, which came to an end in late 2024 as HBO and Max shifted their focus away from children's programming. Despite this, the Sesame Street library will remain accessible on HBO and Max until 2027, though without new episode production.
