‘Sesame Street’ has been saved by new Netflix deal
Sesame Street is no longer homeless as it welcomes a new Netflix deal with open arms. This comes after their contract with Warner Bros Discovery expired. Their earlier contract, which was signed in 2016, stated that the new episodes would be produced at HBO as PBS would no longer be able to afford the production costs for the series.
To keep the content easily accessible, the new episodes will also be available on PBS and the PBS Kids app, thereby maintaining the 50-year strong relationship between the company and Sesame Street. Earlier, these episodes would only be available on the app after nine months of their HBO premiere. However, Netflix is aiming to keep a same-day release schedule for the episodes.
This creates a new and unique public-private partnership. Netflix’s global reach will allow children around the world to view the rich research-based content that Sesame Street creates. At the same time, children in the US will be able to freely access this content through PBS as usual.
Sesame Street’s 56th season will mark the beginning of its Netflix deal, with the new season slated for format changes involving longer story-time segments as opposed to its magazine-style format. It will also feature a new element of animation, Tales From 123. This new season on Netflix will be released in three parts, with many of the earlier characters reprising their roles for the show.
This new digital arrangement follows President Trump’s cessation of federal funding for PBS, based on the claim that these platforms receive enough financial aid from elsewhere to deliver their content, which has been alleged as radical propaganda disguised as news. Such a move led to major financial constraints for Sesame Workshops, especially since the HBO deal sought its conclusion. The non-profit organisation had to go through enormous budget cuts and consequently forced many layoffs earlier this year.
Netflix has turned saviour for this beloved children’s television programme and its iconic characters. A show which was a household staple in the US will now be available for various communities around the world to enjoy and learn from.