‘Sesame Street’ is coming to Netflix as streaming platform inks new deal
The 56th season “Sesame Street” will also feature some new changes.
WASHINGTON — Elmo, Big Bird and the rest of their “Sesame Street” friends have found a new streaming home.
Netflix announced Monday that the iconic children’s show will be coming to the streaming platform, with Season 56 premiering later this year. The deal, which grants Netflix worldwide premiere rights, comes months after Warner Bros. Discovery decided not to renew its contract for new episodes of the show.
“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 Workshop said in a statement shared on X. “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.”
New episodes of “Sesame Street” will continue to be available on the same day on PBS and PBS Kids platforms in the U.S., according to the deal. Netflix will also house 90 hours of select previous episodes, making them available to audiences worldwide.
Netflix shared the news with a video clip of Cookie Monster, one of the show’s characters, munching on the Netflix logo.
“N is for Netflix! Sesame Street is joining the Netflix family! Brand new episodes — as well as past seasons — will premiere later this year,” the streaming platform said on X.
The next season of Sesame Street will have some new features. The episodes will now focus on one 11-minute story that allows for “even more character-driven humor and heart.” Additionally, the new season will bring back segments like “Elmo’s World” and “Cookie Monster’s Foodie Truck.”
Netflix also announced it will develop video games for both “Sesame Street” and “Sesame Street Mecha Builders.”
“Sesame Street” is the latest children’s media show to be on the streaming platform, joining Ms. Rachel, CoComelon Lane, and more. Netflix says that “Kids and Family” represents 15% of the platform’s total viewing.
When did ‘Sesame Street’ first air?
The beloved educational children’s show first aired Nov. 10, 1969, and features Jim Henson’s Muppets. It’s one of the longest-running shows in American history and, according to Britannica, is watched by nearly half of all U.S. preschool-age children.