There are still sunny days ahead for Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Abby Cadabby, who have all survived Trump’s recent assassination attempt, thanks to the rescue efforts of Netflix.
The streamer just announced that beloved children’s program Sesame Street will move to its service, after the Trump administration cut funding for its decades-long home, PBS.
The news comes following a tough few months for Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization behind Sesame Street, which lost its lucrative contract with HBO after the network sought to shift away from children’s programming.
Then, another financial blow came from the current administration, after President Donald Trump cut federal funding to PBS, the free public broadcasting service that’s been airing Sesame Street for over 50 years.
These issues caused what executives described as a “perfect storm” of problems for the program.
Under the new Netflix agreement, new episodes will premiere on Netflix and PBS on the same day, ensuring the educational program stays accessible for millions of children across the country. That in itself is a gesture of good will between the streamer and the public broadcaster that could be construed as a political gesture amid Trump’s cuts.
We are excited to announce that all new Sesame Street episodes are coming to @netflix worldwide along with library episodes, and new episodes will also release the same day on @PBS Stations and @PBSKIDS platforms in the US, preserving a 50+ year relationship.The support of… pic.twitter.com/B76MxQzrpI
— Sesame Street (@sesamestreet) May 19, 2025
“This unique public-private partnership will enable Sesame Workshop to bring our research-based curriculum to young children around the world with Netflix’s global reach, while ensuring children in communities across the U.S. continue to have free access on public television to the Sesame Street they love,” Sesame Workshop CEO Sherri Westin said in a statement.
The Netflix deal will begin with the 56th season of Sesame Street later this year and will feature new formatting changes, dropping the magazine-style format in favor of 11-minute story sequences. The show will also take a more character-driven focus as is typical of other popular children’s shows like Bluey.
As soon as the news dropped about Sesame Street finding a new home, people took to social media to celebrate, expressing their relief that the program can continue despite Trump’s funding cuts.
Here if you need some #MondayMotivation or wanna feel good on this Good Monday Morning!Sesame Street is back! 🔥Happy New Week! https://t.co/UmH846FPdx pic.twitter.com/4x1KNUjy8l
— Just Tweeting Away (@ChillTweetR) May 19, 2025
Let’s go!!!!!! Thank you @netflix ❤️ this new administration is trying to rid the world of the beauty we all grown with and to see @sesamestreet keep going warms all our hearts. Sesame Street raised me, now my three sons too and they absolutely love it. Great news🌹 https://t.co/4G8puvF9Ny pic.twitter.com/kWaVO0p6PV
— Jess blahblah (@Jessisamessnsht) May 19, 2025
Hey I can’t make it into work today. Yeah I’m binge watching 56 years of Sesame Street so let’s just play it by ear. https://t.co/GMCziRRhnd
— Andrew Nadeau (@TheAndrewNadeau) May 19, 2025
It’s a beautiful day in Elmo’s neighborhood! ❤️ https://t.co/EjWVwVdHTr
— Elmo (@elmo) May 19, 2025
Big Bird and Sesame Street arriving at Netflix pic.twitter.com/ZgyvhCE6Kk
— Tony Johns (@WhyGarth) May 19, 2025
Thanks to the new deal, Elmo and his friends will get continue to do what they’ve always done best: teach kids how to read and count, all while making sure they feel like they will always have a friend to guide them in this chaotic world.
The post Netflix Saves ‘Sesame Street’ From Trump’s Reign of Terror appeared first on The Daily Beast.
