“Sesame Street” has found a new home. The iconic children’s educational series will now be streaming on Netflix after Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max opted to not take on the contract once more. Netflix now will be the exclusive spot for the beloved longtime PBS show produced by Sesame Workshop.
Netflix will also debut a reimagined Season 56, as well as air 90 hours of previous episodes. The series will air day-and-date on PBS stations in the U.S. and across PBS KIDS digital platforms, with Netflix having the exclusive worldwide premiere rights. “Sesame Street” will continue to be available on PBS KIDS and across their digital video and games platforms to continue providing free public television.
The reimagined 56th season will be released in three batches and include new segments and format changes for the show. “Sesame Street” character Cookie Monster will have his own Cookie Cart on the block, as Abby’s Fairy Garden is also unveiled. Characters will also break the fourth wall to speak to audiences, and there will be animated overlays to “highlight music, action, humor, and important story moments while adding visual excitement” per the press release. The biggest narrative change will occur with episodes centering on one 11-minute story for more character-driven plotlines.
“Sesame Street” is created by Sesame Workshop, a global nonprofit. Sal Perez and Kay Wilson Stallings executive produce the series, with Emmy, Humanitas, and NAACP Award nominee Halcyon Person joining as head writer. Person was the Head Writer and Co-Executive Producer of “Karma’s World” (2021) and “Dee & Friends in Oz” (2024) on Netflix.
In addition to the series, Netflix will also further expand the “Sesame Street” franchise by developing video games for both “Sesame Street” and “Sesame Street Mecha Builders.”
Kids and Family viewing represents 15 percent of Netflix’s total viewing. The platform also has dedicated kids’ profiles with parents being able to set controls, check what their kids are watching, and lock profiles with a PIN.