Sesame Street Finds a New Home on Netflix After PBS Funding Cut

A big change is coming to one of the most beloved children’s shows of all time. Sesame Street is heading to Netflix after facing uncertainty over its future. This move follows US President Donald Trump’s executive order to block federal funding for PBS, the public channel that has aired Sesame Street for decades.

Netflix has confirmed it will now stream a brand-new season along with 90 hours of classic episodes for its 300 million subscribers. The show will also remain available on PBS, but this new deal ensures its long-term survival at a time when public broadcasting is under pressure.

A Long Legacy of Learning and Laughter

Sesame Street first aired on November 10, 1969. It was created by Lloyd Morrisett and Joan Ganz Cooney, who teamed up with Harvard education experts and Muppets creator Jim Henson. The goal was simple but groundbreaking—teach children through fun, colorful characters and catchy music.

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Characters like Big Bird, Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Oscar the Grouch have become cultural icons. Over the years, the show didn’t just teach letters and numbers. It tackled real-life topics like healthy eating, diversity, emotions, and kindness.

In 2002, Elmo even visited Congress to talk about music education. In 2006, the show took on the issue of childhood obesity with segments called Health Habits. Cookie Monster taught kids that cookies are a “sometimes food.” Even former First Lady Michelle Obama joined the gang to promote healthy meals.

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What This Move Means for Families and the Future

This new partnership with Netflix comes after Warner Bros Discovery, which runs HBO, decided not to renew its previous deal with Sesame Street. With federal funding also pulled and PBS budgets shrinking, the future of the show looked unclear.

Now, with Netflix investing more in children’s programming—already making up 15% of its viewership—Sesame Street has a new platform to grow. Netflix says the show is a “beloved cornerstone of children’s media” and a vital part of early learning for generations of kids.

The deal even allows PBS to air new episodes on the same day they appear on Netflix, so families who rely on public broadcasting won’t miss out.

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At a time when children’s shows are being cut from public networks, Netflix is stepping in to make sure kids can still learn their ABCs and 123s with the friendly faces they know and love. And that’s something worth celebrating.