‘Sesame Street’ Moves to Netflix: What It Means for Parents, Kids, and the Future of Educational TV

Big Bird, Elmo, and Cookie Monster are getting a brand-new streaming home — and it’s one of the most significant moves in children’s television in years. Netflix has officially picked up Sesame Street, starting with an all-new, reimagined Season 56, and will also add 90 hours of classic episodes to its global library.

This strategic streaming deal marks a significant shift in the TV landscape for families and fans of educational programming, following HBO Max’s decision to decline renewing its contract with Sesame Workshop in late 2024. With Netflix already dominating kids’ content via titles like CoComelon, this acquisition signals the platform’s renewed commitment to early childhood education and competitive content for young audiences.

What’s Changing on Sesame Street?

The new season of Sesame Street, expected to premiere later in 2025, will undergo some significant format changes. Each episode will now focus on a single 11-minute story, catering to the shorter attention spans of modern preschoolers. While this is a noticeable departure from the show’s traditional variety format, the aim is to create tighter, more engaging narratives for streaming-first audiences.

Beloved segments like Elmo’s World and Cookie Monster’s Foodie Truck will also make a return, ensuring the updated format keeps familiar favourites for longtime viewers.

Where Can You Watch It?

Despite being picked up by Netflix, Sesame Street will continue to air free on PBS and PBS KIDS digital platforms on the same day episodes launch on Netflix in the U.S. This dual-distribution model ensures the show remains accessible to all families, especially those who rely on free educational programming.

This is an unusual move for Netflix, which typically demands exclusivity for original programming. The shared release agreement reinforces Sesame Workshop’s core mission — providing free access to early learning content for children of all backgrounds.

 

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More Than Just Streaming — Sesame Games Coming Soon

As part of the broader deal, Netflix has secured rights to develop video games based on Sesame Street and its spinoff, Sesame Street Mecha Builders. With gaming becoming a key area of expansion for the streamer, fans can expect interactive and educational content across various platforms.

This cross-media approach puts Sesame Street in direct competition with entertainment-education brands like LeapFrog and PBS’s Wild Kratts, while reinforcing Netflix’s strategy of creating immersive educational ecosystems for kids.

Why This Move Matters for Families

With kids’ content accounting for nearly 15% of Netflix’s total viewership, the move comes at a time when families are more selective than ever about screen time. Sesame Street’s arrival provides parents with a trusted, research-backed alternative in the growing sea of kids’ entertainment.

The combination of classic episodes, fresh stories, and new interactivity makes this streaming partnership one to watch, especially as educational content continues to evolve alongside technology.

So, whether you grew up watching Big Bird or you’re a parent introducing your child to Elmo for the first time, it’s official: Sesame Street has a new address — and it’s just a Netflix click away.