Netflix Inks Deal With 'Sesame Street' in Big Announcement
Just a few months ago HBO and Max opted not to renew their deal with iconic children's program Sesame Street that saw episodes appearing on HOB before airing later on PBS.
The deal came to a close in 2024 after starting in 2016 as part of a strategy shift for Max, which eventually went back to its "HBO Max" name. “We are excited to extend our 10-year partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery, keeping ‘Sesame Street’s iconic library available on Max through 2027. We will continue to invest in our best-in-class programming and look forward to announcing our new distribution plans in the coming months, ensuring that ‘Sesame Street’ reaches as many children as possible for generations to come,” a representative for Sesame Street Workshop told TheWrap at the time.
With the streaming service dropping the iconic show, Netflix stepped in to save the day. Sesame Street and Netflix both announced the new deal that will see episodes debut on Netflix before airing on PBS.
“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,” the official Sesame Street account said in a statement on X.
Just a few minutes later, Netflix broke the news in a video showing Cookie Monster eating the Netflix "N". "N IS FOR NETFLIX! Sesame Street is joining the Netflix family! Brand new episodes — as well as past seasons — will premiere later this year," Netflix revealed.
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
According to TheWrap, new episodes of Sesame Street as well as library episodes will be available to watch on Netflix worldwide, and new episodes will also release the same day on both PBS stations and on PBS Kids.
The deal also includes Netflix's ability to develop video games for both Sesame Street and Sesame Street Mecha Builders.
The new season of the show will reportedly be more character-driven, like the popular kids show Bluey.