The beloved 56-year-old show will reach Netflix’s 300+ million, and PBS will air new episodes on the same day as the streaming service
Sesame Street has secured major distribution deals with Netflix and PBS amid financial struggles in its nonprofit Sesame Workshop.
The production company laid off 20% of its workforce this year as grants diminished.
The deals come as the show’s $30 million to $35 million a year contract with HBO expired. Warner Bros. Discovery replaced it with a $6 million per year episode library agreement.
The beloved 56-year-old show will reach Netflix’s 300+ million, and PBS will air new episodes on the same day as the streaming service. They will take effect later this year.
Netflix says 15% of its viewership is children’s content, and rivals like Ms. Rachel and Bluey are surging in popularity. Sesame Street will also debut a revamped format with fewer segments and more animation to compete in the crowded kids’ entertainment space.