PBS Kids will continue as home to the show as part of a multi-year deal starting later this year with Season 56, which will debut with new features and formats on the streamer, PBS stations, and across PBS Kids video and games digital platforms.
The venerable Sesame Street franchise, a public television stalwart bringing early learning programming to kids for more than half a century, has found a new home. Netflix has just announced it has picked up the show as part of a multi-year deal that will debut later this year with an “all-new, reimagined 56th season — plus 90 hours of previous episodes — available to audiences worldwide” as well as on PBS stations and across PBS Kids video and games digital platforms. Max declined to pickup the show after it finished its 5-year run with the streamer.
The new season, which will be released in three batches, will feature fresh format changes and the return of fan-favorite segments like Elmo’s World and Cookie Monster’s Foodie Truck. Kids can expect new ways to play along as Cookie Monster opens his very own Cookie Cart on Sesame Street, and explore Abby’s Fairy Garden, a home to “surprising and delightful” magical creatures.
Additionally, episodes will now center on one 11-minute story, allowing for “even more character-driven humor and heart.” Sal Perez and Kay Wilson Stallings will executive produce. The new head writer is Halcyon Person, an Emmy, Humanitas, and NAACP Award-nominated TV maker writer, director, and producer. She was the head writer and co-executive producer of Karma's World (2021) and Dee & Friends in Oz (2024) on Netflix.
“I strongly believe that our educational programming for children is one of the most important aspects of our service to the American people, and Sesame Street has been an integral part of that critical work for more than half a century,” said Paula Kerger, President and CEO, PBS. “We’re proud to continue our partnership in the pursuit of having a profound impact on the lives of children for years to come.”
Sesame Street will continue to be available on PBS KIDS and across their digital video and games platforms. Netflix picks up exclusive worldwide premiere rights and episodes will be available day-and-date on PBS stations in the U.S. and across PBS Kids digital platforms. Netflix will also be able to develop video games for both Sesame Street and Sesame Street Mecha Builders.
Sesame Street’s reimagined 56th season will include the following new segments and format changes:
- New ways to play along. Cookie Monster opens his very own Cookie Cart on Sesame Street. Will there be cookie chaos or a sweet treat with every adventure? Abby’s Fairy Garden is home to surprising and delightful magical creatures. What could possibly go wrong when Abby helps care for them?
- To-camera moments. The characters speak directly to the viewers and invite them into the action - capturing emotions and interactions.
- Animation overlays that highlight music, action, humor, and important story moments while adding visual excitement. Visual effects like wand sparkles, bubbles, and confetti will add a touch of anything-can-happen magic to the storytelling.
- One 11-minute story. The longer format provides the opportunity to tell stories with even more character-driven humor and heart.
- A new animated segment, Tales from 123 that takes viewers inside the most famous apartment building in the world where they can discover the wacky and whimsical building that Elmo, Cookie Monster, and friends call home.
- The return of fan-favorite episodes of Elmo’s World and Cookie Monster’s Foodie Truck.
Deal points include:
- New episodes will be released on PBS stations, the PBS Kids Channel, and across PBS Kids digital platforms.
- An expanded collection of 25 new and library episodes will be available to stream across PBS Kids digital platforms. New episodes will also be available on Netflix the same day.
- New games will be added to the growing 25+ library of Sesame Street games available on pbskids.org and the PBS Kids Games app.
- Full episodes and clips will be available on the PBS Kids YouTube Channel.
- Sesame Workshop and PBS Kids will expand the existing library of parent and educator resources on PBS Kids for Parents and PBS LearningMedia.
- An evergreen toolkit of Sesame Street-related assets will be available to PBS stations to support their local sustainability and public service efforts.
Here’s what Cookie Monster had to say:
N IS FOR NETFLIX!
Sesame Street is joining the Netflix family! Brand new episodes — as well as past seasons — will premiere later this year. pic.twitter.com/SMEqHm29a2— Netflix (@netflix) May 19, 2025
Source: Netflix and PBS Kids
Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
