After months of uncertainty following Warner Bros. Discovery’s decision not to renew its deal with Sesame Street, the iconic children’s series has found a new home—and a lifeline—thanks to Netflix. In a landmark move, Netflix has inked a deal with Sesame Workshop to stream new episodes of the show starting later this year with Season 56.
In a major shift from its previous HBO partnership, The Hollywood Reporter shared the announcement that new Sesame Street episodes will now air simultaneously on both Netflix and PBS—marking a return to day-and-date public broadcasting that ensures wider, more equitable access. During the HBO years, PBS viewers had to wait months after the premiere to catch new episodes, creating a gap for families who relied on free television. This new arrangement bridges that divide.
“This unique public-private partnership will enable Sesame Workshop 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,” said Sherri Westin, Sesame Workshop CEO.
The upcoming season will also introduce some creative changes. Season 56 will shift away from its longtime “magazine-style” structure to feature a longer, continuous segment format. It will also include a brand-new animated feature titled Tales From 123, offering a fresh take on the classic format for a new generation of viewers. Episodes will be released on Netflix in three batches.
The deal comes at a critical time for Sesame Workshop, which faced budget constraints and layoffs earlier this year. The partnership with Netflix offers much-needed financial stability and global exposure while preserving the show’s original mission: delivering accessible, educational content to children everywhere.
“This is one of the most important aspects of our service to the American people,” said PBS President Paula Kerger. “Sesame Street has been an integral part of that critical work for more than half a century.”
With this new deal, Sesame Street can continue its legacy of innovation, inclusivity, and impact—reaching kids from all backgrounds with the lessons they need most. Thanks to this powerful collaboration, Big Bird, Elmo, and the rest of the gang aren’t just staying on the block, they’re headed to screens everywhere.