HBO discontinues new ‘Sesame Street’ episodes on Max
Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie Monster, and their lovable friends are on the move as HBO and Max have decided not to continue airing new episodes of “Sesame Street.” After almost a decade on Max, the gang will be seeking a new home, with HBO and Max planning to keep licensing episodes until 2027. However, the upcoming 55th season is set to be the last original run on the platform, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
A spokesperson for Max expressed appreciation for the experience of working on the iconic children’s series, sharing that they are delighted to be able to keep some of the library series available on Max in the U.S. This shift in programming comes as Warner Bros. Discovery focuses more on adult and family content, reducing its child-centered offerings as they are not as central to their strategy, according to Variety.
With an impressive legacy of over 4,700 episodes spanning decades, from PBS to HBO, the future of this beloved franchise is now uncertain. Premiering on November 10, 1969, “Sesame Street” features Jim Henson’s Muppets and has become one of the longest-running titles in American television history, captivating nearly half of all preschool-age children in the United States, according to Brittannica.
While originally intended for young audiences, “Sesame Street” cleverly includes mature jokes that entertain parents as their children learn. The show boasts a remarkable record of winning more than 100 Daytime Emmy Awards, the highest accolade for any television show in history. It attracts guests from various fields, ranging from local and federal politicians to accomplished musicians and celebrated actors.
