It came as a surprise to many when Warner Bros. Discovery decided to cancel the beloved children’s show Sesame Street after decades on air.
But just six months later, Netflix has swooped in to rescue the iconic series, promising a fresh new chapter for fans young and old.
A Long History From PBS to HBO and Now Netflix
Sesame Street first aired on PBS in 1969 and became a staple for generations of kids.
In 2016, the show moved to HBO thanks to a new deal that brought a shift in how viewers could watch the episodes.
Under this arrangement, new episodes premiered exclusively on HBO Max for nine months before becoming available on PBS.
The deal was renewed in 2019, and the series continued to air on HBO Max, with season 55 debuting there in January 2025.
However, HBO Max decided to opt out of their deal in December 2024, leaving Sesame Street without a streaming home—until Netflix stepped in.
What Netflix Brings to the Table for Sesame Street Fans
Netflix announced on Monday that they will debut season 56 of Sesame Street later this year.
Beyond just new episodes, they’ll be adding over 90 hours of classic episodes from the show’s vast library.
Fans can expect some exciting changes. Each new episode will be focused on a single 11-minute story, allowing for more heart and humor centered around the characters.
Netflix also teased the return of fan favorites like Elmo’s World and Cookie Monster’s Foodie Truck.
Cookie Monster himself will be opening a new Cookie Cart on Sesame Street, while Abby’s Fairy Garden will introduce magical creatures that promise to delight viewers.
Bringing Sesame Street to Everyone for Free on PBS
Unlike the HBO Max model that required a subscription to access new episodes, Netflix will also air the new Sesame Street episodes simultaneously on PBS TV stations and PBS Kids digital platforms across the United States.
This move ensures that critical early learning content remains free and accessible to children everywhere.
New Leadership and Continuing Partnerships Behind the Scenes
The show’s executive producers Sal Perez and Kay Wilson Stallings will continue their work, with Emmy and NAACP Award nominee Halcyon Person stepping in as the new head writer.
Person is known for her work on Karma’s World and Dee & Friends in Oz.
Though HBO Max is stepping back from new episodes, they will continue licensing Sesame Street library episodes until 2027.
This arrangement creates a unique public-private partnership that combines Netflix’s global reach with PBS’s commitment to free educational programming, according to Sesame Workshop CEO Sherri Westin.
Public Television and the Future of Children’s Education Programming
Paula Kerger, president and CEO of PBS, emphasized the importance of Sesame Street as part of the network’s mission to serve American families.
She expressed pride in continuing their partnership with Sesame Workshop and Netflix, aiming to impact children’s lives positively for many years ahead.
Funding Cuts Add Context to the Timing of the News
This announcement comes just weeks after former President Donald Trump revealed federal funding cuts to PBS and National Public Radio (NPR), adding urgency to the conversation about how educational programming for children is supported and sustained.