Sesame Street Joins Netflix in Landmark Streaming Deal Following PBS Funding Cuts
In a significant development for the children’s entertainment sector, Sesame Workshop has announced it has signed a landmark agreement with Netflix to bring Sesame Street to the global streaming giant’s platform. The move follows recent federal funding cuts to the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, raising concerns over the long-term future of the iconic programme.
The multi-year partnership will see a new season of Sesame Street premiere on Netflix, alongside 90 hours of library content. Notably, PBS retains same-day access to new episodes under the terms of the deal, preserving its long-standing relationship with the educational series.
Netflix, which currently boasts over 300 million subscribers worldwide, described Sesame Street as “a beloved cornerstone of children’s media, enchanting young minds and nurturing a love of learning.” The deal reflects Netflix’s continued investment in family and preschool content, a category that now accounts for 15% of its overall viewership. The streamer also announced new Peppa Pig episodes and a companion mobile game as part of its expanding children’s portfolio.
The future of Sesame Street had been uncertain following Warner Bros. Discovery’s decision not to renew its previous arrangement to air new episodes via HBO. The federal defunding of PBS and NPR, including the Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s cancellation of a key children’s programming initiative, further accelerated the need for a new broadcast strategy.
Created in 1969 by Joan Ganz Cooney and Lloyd Morrisett in partnership with Harvard educators and Muppets creator Jim Henson, Sesame Street has become one of the most influential children’s brands in history. Over five decades, its characters—from Big Bird to Elmo and Cookie Monster—have extended far beyond the screen into toys, books, educational campaigns, and even policy advocacy.
Throughout its history, the show has embraced social and educational missions, addressing everything from literacy and numeracy to public health. Milestones include Elmo’s 2002 testimony before Congress on music education, Michelle Obama’s guest appearance to promote healthy eating, and the iconic “Health Habits” series which saw Cookie Monster famously rebrand cookies as a “sometimes food.”
This latest deal not only secures the future of a treasured franchise but also reinforces streaming platforms’ growing role in the delivery of educational content to families worldwide.
