Netflix Secures Sesame Street Episodes Post-HBO Max Deal

Fans of the iconic children's series, Sesame Street, have reason to celebrate as the show continues to charm audiences after more than five decades since its debut in 1969. With HBO and Max opting not to renew their contract at the end of 2024, Sesame Street is embarking on a new streaming journey with Netflix and PBS, ensuring that the trips to this beloved street are far from over.

Starting soon, viewers worldwide can enjoy both new and classic episodes of Sesame Street on Netflix. Simultaneously, new episodes will be available on the day of their release via PBS stations and the PBS Kids platform in the U.S., maintaining the show's long-standing relationship with PBS. This move was announced with great excitement by Sesame Street through their social media channels on May 19, 2025. They highlighted the unique collaboration with Netflix, PBS, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, emphasizing their commitment to helping children grow smarter, stronger, and kinder.

We are excited to announce that all new Sesame Street episodes are coming to @netflix worldwide along with library episodes, and new episodes will also release the same day on @PBS Stations and @PBSKIDS platforms in the US, preserving a 50+ year relationship.

The support of… pic.twitter.com/B76MxQzrpI

— Sesame Street (@sesamestreet) May 19, 2025

In addition to streaming, Netflix's expanding gaming division will now include Sesame Street-themed video games, along with games based on the spinoff series, Sesame Street Mecha Builders. This development aligns with Netflix's broader strategy to enhance its gaming offerings, allowing subscribers to play directly through the app using their mobile devices as controllers.

As Sesame Street gears up for its 56th season, the show is set to introduce some structural changes. Each episode will now feature an 11-minute story, drawing inspiration from other successful children's shows like Bluey, which focus more on character-driven narratives. Despite these changes, fans can still look forward to the return of beloved segments such as Elmo's World and Cookie Monster's Foodie Truck.

Originally airing its first episode in November 1969 and joining the PBS network in the 1970s, Sesame Street quickly became a cultural touchstone. In 2015, HBO and Max entered into a $35 million deal to produce new episodes. Although this partnership concluded at the end of 2024 due to a shift away from children's programming, the Sesame Street library will remain accessible on HBO and Max until 2027, albeit without the production of new content.