Sesame Street will air on Netflix and PBS simultaneously

PBS, alongside NPR, is facing an unprecedented attempt from the executive branch to cut its federal funding and potentially reduce what it can offer. But, in good news, one of its mainstays will be widely available — at least for the time being. New episodes of Sesame Street are coming to both Netflix and PBS. 

The 56th season of Sesame Street will be available worldwide on Netflix and on PBS in the US. New episodes will come out the same day on the streamer, PBS Stations and PBS KIDS. "This unique public-private partnership will enable us to bring our research-based curriculum to young children around the world with Netflix’s global reach, while ensuring children in communities across the US continue to have free access on public television to the Sesame Street they love," Sesame Workshop stated in a release. 

The deal also entitles Netflix to 90 hours of previously aired Sesame Street episodes. However, the new releases should look a bit different. Now, each episode will feature an 11-minute story, meant to allow for a deeper dive. There will also be a new animated bit called "Tales From 123," which takes place inside the characters' apartment building. Old segments will also return, like Elmo's World and Cookie Monster's Foodie Truck.

HBO has been the home of Sesame Street for the last decade, but didn't renew it's partnership last year. Sesame Street fans who want to stick with PBS, though, will likely be happy about the new Netflix deal. With the old arrangement, Sesame Street episodes didn't air on PBS until the entire season had already arrived on HBO. 

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