Netflix Secures New Sesame Street Episodes Post-HBO Max Deal

Fans of the iconic children's show, Sesame Street, have reason to celebrate. The series, which has been delighting audiences since its debut in 1969, is set to continue its legacy through a new streaming deal with Netflix and PBS, following the conclusion of its partnership with HBO and Max at the end of 2024.

Starting this year, viewers worldwide will be able to enjoy new episodes of Sesame Street on Netflix, alongside the show's extensive catalog of past episodes. Additionally, new episodes will be available on the same day they air on PBS stations and the PBS Kids platform in the US, maintaining the show's long-standing relationship with PBS that spans over 50 years.

In a strategic move, Netflix, which is expanding its gaming sector, will also develop video games based on Sesame Street and its spinoff, Sesame Street Mecha Builders. This initiative will allow subscribers to play these games directly through the Netflix app, using their mobile devices as controllers.

The announcement of this exciting new partnership was made by Sesame Street via their social media channels on May 19, 2025. "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," stated the Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization behind the series.

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

As Sesame Street embarks on its 56th season, viewers can expect some structural changes. Each episode will now feature an 11-minute story, drawing inspiration from other popular character-driven children’s shows like Bluey. However, beloved segments such as Elmo’s World and Cookie Monster’s Foodie Truck will continue to be a part of the show, much to the delight of fans.

Sesame Street first aired in November 1969 and joined the PBS network in the 1970s, quickly becoming a cultural phenomenon. In 2015, HBO and Max entered into a $35 million deal to produce new episodes, which concluded in late 2024 as the streamers shifted focus away from children's programming. Despite this, the Sesame Street library will remain available on HBO and Max until 2027, extending the original 10-year agreement but without the production component.