Sesame Street Secures Funding, Moves to Netflix, PBS

Sesame Street will launch its 56th season later this year, debuting new episodes on both Netflix and PBS simultaneously to ensure global distribution and continued free U.S. access. The new arrangement follows Warner Bros. Discovery's decision not to renew its contract and is influenced by federal funding cuts to PBS by the Trump administration, which threatened the show's historic financial support. As a result, PBS and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting will now provide funding for the show's production, marking a significant change from past years. The deal, hailed as a unique public-private partnership, includes over 90 hours of classic episodes streaming on Netflix. Season 56 will introduce a revamped format with 11-minute character-focused stories, new animated segments, and returning favorites like 'Elmo's World.' This transition is seen as crucial for sustaining Sesame Street's educational mission and accessibility.