Sesame Street has found a new streaming platform as Netflix steps in to become the exclusive global streaming home for the beloved children’s series. The agreement covers the next three seasons—56 through 58—and includes 90 hours of classic episodes, ensuring the program’s legacy continues to reach new generations. Alongside the Netflix deal, PBS will remain a key player, continuing to broadcast new episodes on its public television stations and digital platforms, including YouTube.
This transition follows Warner Bros. Discovery’s decision to end its five-year agreement with Sesame Street on its streaming service Max. Previously, episodes would premiere on WBD’s platform before arriving on PBS months later. With this new arrangement, viewers will have simultaneous access to new content across both Netflix and PBS platforms, making the show more widely available.
Netflix’s deal not only includes past and upcoming episodes, but also grants the platform the rights to develop video games based on Sesame Street and its spinoff, Sesame Street: Mecha Builders. This expansion into interactive content reflects Netflix’s growing interest in kid- and family-focused programming, which currently represents 15% of the platform’s overall viewing.
Although financial terms of the Netflix deal were not disclosed, Warner Bros. Discovery was previously paying an estimated $30 million to $35 million annually for the rights. The transition comes at a critical time for Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit behind Sesame Street, which has been facing financial pressures amid broader cuts in children’s programming across the industry.
Meanwhile, the political landscape is also putting stress on public broadcasting. A recent executive order by President Donald Trump seeks to end federal funding for PBS and NPR, citing concerns about bias. These challenges make public-private partnerships, like the one now formed between Netflix, PBS, and Sesame Workshop, more vital than ever.
According to Sesame Workshop and PBS, Season 56 will introduce a refreshed format with a single 11-minute story per episode, aiming to deepen character engagement through humor and emotional storytelling. The season will roll out in three installments starting later this year.
This new distribution model promises greater access and creative expansion while preserving the show’s mission to deliver educational, inclusive content to children everywhere.
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