Netflix has thrown Sesame Street a safety net with a new streaming deal that offers the popular children’s staple a broad reach while keeping it on its long-standing home, PBS, at the same time, the companies announced Monday.
Starting later this year, new episodes will run on Netflix, PBS and the PBS Kids app on the same day. No specific premiere date was immediately announced. Select past episodes will also be available on Netflix worldwide.
The change for the more than 50-year-old show comes after Warner Bros. Discovery — which had aired the show since 2016 — last year decided not to renew its deal for new episodes that air on HBO and Max, though episodes will remain there until 2027.
“This unique public-private partnership will enable us to bring our research-based curriculum to young children around the world with Netflix’s global reach, while ensuring children in communities across the U.S. continue to have free access on public television to the Sesame Street they love,” Sesame Workshop said in its press release.
Sal Perez, the show’s executive producer and a Sesame Workshop vice president, told The Associated Press recently that segments on the new season will be longer and “really focused on character,” while also focusing on its audience’s emotional well-being and development.
Classic characters Big Bird, Elmo and Cookie Monster are looking for a new home after HBO Max ended its partnership to air new Sesame Street episodes, forcing Sesame Workshop to look for a new distribution partner.
For Season 56, episodes will revolve around one 11-minute story, the Netflix release said.
“The more kids want to hang out with our characters on Sesame Street, the more they’re going to take in those lessons,” said Perez, adding that there would also be updates to the show’s look and feel. The new season will also feature more exploration of the Sesame Street neighbourhood and a look inside the legendary two-storey brownstone at 123 Sesame St. that houses Elmo, Bert and Ernie and more.
“I strongly believe that our educational programming for children is one of the most important aspects of our service to the American people, and Sesame Street has been an integral part of that critical work for more than half a century,” said Paula Kerger, president and CEO of PBS. “We’re proud to continue our partnership in the pursuit of having a profound impact on the lives of children for years to come.”
Sesame Street has been shown in more than 150 countries, amassing more than 200 Emmys in addition to Grammy and Peabody awards and a Kennedy Center Honor for lifetime artistic achievement.
