“Seasame Street Looks for New Home After HBO, Max Deal Ends”
Sesame Street, the beloved children’s TV show, is on the lookout for a new home. Warner Bros. Discovery has made the call not to renew its contract with HBO and Max, leaving the original episodes of Sesame Street in need of a new platform.
Max is teaming up with the show’s producer, Sesame Workshop, to license episodes from its library until 2027. While this is great news, what remains uncertain is whether this deal would prevent other potential partners from also picking up the older episodes of the show.
The decision by the streaming service not to continue the deal stems from a change in strategy to focus more on adult and family-oriented content, shifting away from children’s programming. A Max spokesperson shared the sentiment, stating, “It has been a wonderful, creative experience working with everyone at Sesame Street on the iconic children’s series,” and expressing excitement to keep some of the library series on Max in the U.S.
Sesame Street is no stranger to transitioning platforms. Since its debut in 1969, the show aired on PBS in 1970. In 2016, Sesame Street made the move to HBO, ensuring that episodes would also air on PBS shortly after to maximize accessibility. Then, in 2019, the show found its way to HBO Max, which has since been rebranded as Max.
As fans eagerly await news of where Sesame Street will land next, we can rest assured that the show will continue to delight and educate children for years to come. Stay tuned for updates on the new distribution plans for Sesame Street as Max looks to carry on the legacy of this iconic series.
