Key Takeaways
- New Series: Sesame Street is launching a reimagined series on Netflix after 56 years on air.
- Episode Details: The first volume includes four 30-minute episodes released on November 10.
- Interactive Experience: Viewers can now explore the famous brownstone and enjoy immersive 11-minute stories.
- Global Reach: The new episodes will be available in over 30 languages, expanding its audience.
After being on the air for 56 years, Sesame Street is heading to Netflix with a “reimagined” series. Sesame Street debuted in 1969, with PBS being its home since the very beginning (even back when it was called NET). In recent years, other networks and streamers have been playing host to the children’s TV show, including HBO and HBO Max.
However, HBO Max’s contract recently ended, and new episodes are no longer available. Netflix, the most popular streaming service, stepped in to save Sesame Street, and brand-new episodes have now dropped. Sesame Street: Volume 1, released on November 10, includes four 30-minute episodes, and the streamer revealed that the series has been “freshly reimagined” with “new ways to play along.“
One of the biggest changes is that, for the first time ever, viewers will be able to see inside the show’s famous brownstone, and kids can interact with Sesame Street in brand-new ways with the addition of immersive 11-minute stories. The new batch of episodes will also be available in over 30 languages, thanks to Netflix.
Despite the changes, Sesame Street will still feature everyone’s favorite characters, fan-favorite segments, celebrity appearances (NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace appears in Volume 1), music, animation and much more.
The first volume was just released, and there are still two more volumes on the way for the current season, which will feature compassion and kindness as major themes.
Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Bert, Ernie, Oscar the Grouch, Grover, Count von Count, Snuffleupagus, Abby Cadabby and Julia are just some of the many fun and lovable characters featured on Sesame Street year after year.
As kids grow up and mature, the PBS show has always been able to count on new generations being born and spending their childhoods with Sesame Street in their lives.
However, there was a bit of a panic among some fans in 2024 when HBO Max, which aired first-run episodes of Sesame Street, decided not to extend its contract. This announcement came as the streamer was starting to leave the children’s programming space, and Sesame Street no longer fit into its vision and plans for the future.
The deal with HBO and HBO Max was a great way for Sesame Street to receive a new source of revenue, which wouldn’t have been there if Netflix hadn’t swooped in to provide a new path forward for the iconic series. During the HBO/HBO Max era, PBS still hosted new episodes, but they aired several months later.
The Netflix deal ensures that viewers will be able to watch Sesame Street simultaneously, no matter if they’re tuning in on the streaming service or their local PBS station.
With a reimagined show, Sesame Street hopes to keep children entertained for years to come.
