HBO, Max End Deal for New SESAME STREET Episodes
HBO and Max have decided not to renew their licensing agreement for new episodes of Sesame Street. Since 2016, HBO was the place where new episodes premiered, followed by PBS a few months later. According to The Hollywood Reporter, HBO and Max will continue to license Sesame Street’s back episode library until at least 2027.
The reason for this decision seems to be about strategy. Max is pivoting towards focusing more on adult and family programming, shifting away from children’s content like Sesame Street. This change may mean more reality programming on the Max platform, especially after the Discovery merger.
Sesame Workshop expressed excitement about extending their partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery, ensuring that Sesame Street’s iconic library will be available on Max through 2027. They are looking forward to announcing new distribution plans in the coming months, ensuring that Sesame Street reaches as many children as possible for years to come.
With this decision, Sesame Workshop is now looking for a new home for new episodes of Sesame Street. It’s possible that a streaming service like Netflix or Disney+ may step in, considering their history of catering to a child audience. Sesame Street, which recently celebrated 55 years on TV, continues to remain culturally relevant and even generates memes, showing its lasting impact and appeal to viewers of all ages.
