Netflix Streaming ‘Sesame Street’
Starting next season, “Sesame Street” will be brought to you by the letter N.
The beloved children’s program, which has educated and entertained generations since its debut in 1969, is heading to Netflix in a landmark new partnership that marks a major shift in its distribution. The move follows Warner Bros. Discovery’s announcement earlier this year that it would not be renewing its contract with the iconic series.
Netflix and Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit behind the show, revealed the new streaming deal on Monday, securing a new digital home for the colorful crew of Big Bird, Elmo, Cookie Monster, and their friends. The agreement ensures that the show’s legacy of learning, inclusivity, and joyful imagination will continue to thrive — just on a different screen.
Under the terms of the deal, Netflix will stream new seasons of Sesame Street beginning in 2026, along with select past episodes, specials, and original content exclusive to the platform. The show’s creative direction and mission to deliver high-quality educational programming will remain unchanged, according to both parties.
“This new chapter allows us to expand the reach of Sesame Street to even more families, while continuing to innovate in ways that reflect the needs of today’s young learners,” said Steve Youngwood, CEO of Sesame Workshop, in a statement. “Netflix’s global platform is a powerful space for that growth.”
For Netflix, the addition of Sesame Street bolsters its growing library of family-friendly content. It also signals the streamer’s commitment to original and legacy programming that promotes learning, equity, and entertainment for kids — particularly at a time when competition in the children’s media space is heating up.
While some longtime fans may view the transition from HBO Max (now part of Warner Bros. Discovery) to Netflix as the end of an era, others see it as a full-circle moment. After all, Sesame Street originally aired on public television with the express mission of making education more accessible. The move to Netflix — which has a global subscriber base — could amplify that mission further.
Still, questions remain about access. While Netflix is widely used, it is a subscription service, and there are concerns that the switch may limit the show’s availability to lower-income households. In response, Sesame Workshop reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to free and educational content through YouTube, public television partnerships, and community outreach programs.
In the meantime, the deal marks a bold next step for Sesame Street, a show that has evolved alongside the culture for more than 50 years. And now, with its sights set on new digital horizons, one thing is clear: whether you watch it on a tablet, a TV, or a phone, sunny days will continue to sweep the clouds away — now just streaming from a new address.
