Sesame Street Moves to Netflix After Trump Cuts PBS Funding
Sesame Street is getting a fresh start on Netflix after federal budget cuts and the end of its deal with HBO put the show's future in question. Earlier this month, President Trump signed an executive order halting all funding to PBS and NPR, accusing them of promoting “radical, woke propaganda.” That decision also shut down the $23 million “Ready to Learn” program, which helped fund educational content like Sesame Street. With Warner Bros. Discovery stepping away and PBS struggling financially, Elmo’s fictional unemployment—shared in a viral LinkedIn post—didn’t seem so far off.
Now, Netflix has stepped in to secure the show’s next chapter. Starting with its 56th season, new episodes will debut on both Netflix and PBS on the same day. The streaming platform will also make 90 hours of past episodes available worldwide. According to Netflix, the show’s new format will feature one central 11-minute story per episode and a deeper look into familiar locations like 123 Sesame Street. The deal allows Sesame Street to stay accessible to PBS viewers while expanding its reach to Netflix’s 300 million global subscribers.
“This unique public-private partnership will enable us to bring our research-based curriculum to young children around the world,” said Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit behind the show. With Netflix increasing its focus on kids' content, Sesame Street joins a growing lineup that includes Peppa Pig and interactive games. Despite the upheaval, the show's core mission remains unchanged—helping children grow “smarter, stronger, and kinder.”
