'Sesame Street' is looking for a new streaming home after Max opts not to renew deal
Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie Monster, and the rest of the gang are looking for a new home.
Sesame Street has hit the market after Warner Bros. Discovery opted not to renew its deal for new episodes of the long-time children's show.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, the ending of the deal comes as part of Max's strategy to focus on adult and family content.
"It has been a wonderful, creative experience working with everyone at Sesame Street on the iconic children’s series and we are thrilled to be able to keep some of the library series on Max in the U.S.,” a spokesperson told the entertainment outlet.
"As we’ve launched Max though and based on consumer usage and feedback, we’ve had to prioritize our focus on stories for adults and families, and so new episodes from Sesame Street, at this time, are not as core to our strategy.”
Sesame Street's library, however, will still be available on Max through 2027, a Sesame Workshop spokesperson said. Meanwhile, the current season of the children's program, season 55, will be the last to stream through the platform.
A 56th season was previously announced, with Sesame Workshop executive Kay Wilson Stalling saying it would "reimagine" the show with longer narratives and more sophisticated stories.
HBO became the beloved show's home in 2016. In 2019, a five-year deal was reached to move the show to HBO Max and Max. Before HBO, Sesame Street aired on PBS since it first aired in1969.
After the announcement, former US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton took to Facebook to share a donation page where fans can support Sesame Workshop.
"Big Bird needs a home!" she wrote, sharing a photo from the 1993 episode she appeared in. "Sesame Street has been teaching kids and celebrating the power of community for over 50 years."
"With the news that HBO has declined to make new episodes, help the Sesame Street studio stay in the business of nurturing children for generations to come."
Sesame Street is a children's show that features animation, live actors, and puppets, or muppets, designed by Jim Henson. The characters teach preschool subjects with comedy, cartoons, games, and songs.
In 2023, the show introduced a Filipino puppet called TJ.
