The Netflix logo and Bert and Ernie from Sesame Street.
Sam Wasson | Getty Images
“Sesame Street” has a new streaming home.
Netflix will stream the next three seasons of “Sesame Street,” as well as a library of past episodes, securing the future of the longtime children’s program known for characters such as Elmo and Cookie Monster.
The deal with Netflix was announced Monday alongside another agreement with PBS, the longtime traditional TV home of “Sesame Street.
Netflix will have the exclusive global premiere streaming rights to new episodes of seasons 56 through 58, according to a Netflix spokesperson. New episodes will also be available on free, publicly funded PBS TV stations in the U.S., and on PBS Kids’ digital platforms, including its YouTube channel.
Under the terms of the deal, Netflix will also gain rights to 90 hours of past episodes, and will be able to develop video games for both “Sesame Street” and its spinoff series “Sesame Street: Mecha Builders.”
The deal comes after Warner Bros. Discovery opted not to renew its five-year streaming agreement in December with “Sesame Street” on its platform Max — now, again, called HBO Max — prompting a search for the iconic kids show’s next distribution partner. Under the previous deal, episodes debuted on PBS months after they were released on WBD’s streaming service, which also has an extensive library of past seasons.
WBD has been cutting back on children’s content as Netflix builds out its portfolio of the programming. Earlier this year, episodes of YouTube children’s content creator Ms. Rachel were added to Netflix.
Kid and family programming represents 15% of Netflix’s total viewing, the company said in Monday’s release.
WBD reportedly paid $30 million to $35 million per year for new episodes of “Sesame Street.” Terms of the deal with Netflix were not disclosed.
Monday’s announcement puts the future of “Sesame Street” on steadier ground after it has reportedly been in the middle of a financial crisis, while also facing pressure from the government. President Donald Trump signed an executive order earlier this month to end public funding of PBS and National Public Radio, claiming the organizations are “biased and partisan.”
“Public media is essential,” said Sara DeWitt, PBS KIDS senior vice president and general manager. “And we know from years of research that providing new, high-quality content to children across the country for free helps prepare them for success in school and life.”
“This unique public-private partnership ensures children in communities across the U.S. continue to have free access on PBS KIDS to the Sesame Street they love,” said Sesame Workshop CEO Sherrie Westin in a press release.
The new season will be “reimagined” to include new segments and format changes, according to the release. The episodes will feature one 11-minute story, to “tell stories with even more character-driven humor and heart.”
Season 56 will be released in three batches starting later this year.