Sesame Street Leaps to Netflix Amid Funding Threat

Following decades exclusively on public television, “Sesame Street” is expanding its reach with a new distribution deal with Netflix, a move occurring amidst past threats to PBS funding from former President Donald Trump. The Wall Street Journal reported the streaming giant will now broadcast new episodes of the iconic children’s program, providing a continued home for Big Bird and his friends after Warner Bros. Discovery announced it was ending its involvement.

The agreement represents a unique public-private partnership, according to Sesame Workshop, designed to ensure the show’s continued mission of fostering children’s intellectual and emotional development. Netflix will also offer 90 hours of previously aired episodes, broadening access to the program’s extensive library. Importantly, new episodes will also premiere simultaneously on PBS stations and PBS Kids, maintaining the show’s longstanding commitment to public broadcasting.

This shift comes after former President Trump signed an executive order earlier this month aiming to end federal funding for media outlets he deemed biased. While the administration’s motivations were politically charged, the outcome appears to have spurred Sesame Workshop to diversify its distribution channels, safeguarding the future of “Sesame Street” regardless of potential funding fluctuations. It’s a pragmatic move for a beloved program, ensuring its continued availability to children across various platforms. The reliance on a commercial streaming service, however, does raise questions about long-term accessibility for families without subscriptions, a point that warrants continued observation as the partnership evolves.