Warner Bros. Discovery recently announced that it will not renew its streaming deal Sesame Street to release new episodes on its streaming service Max, formerly HBO. As a result, the most popular children’s programming continues to look for a new home. However, Max will continue to license the show through 2027. The Library will remain available to stream on the app for the current season, but that will be the last to air on the service.
HBO picked up the show in 2016 (with episodes also airing on PBS), and in 2019, Sesame Workshop and HBO signed a deal to distribute the children’s show on the streaming service for five years. However, the media company has announced that it will shift its focus to children’s shows and focus on shows for adults and families.
“It was a wonderful, creative experience working with everyone here Sesame Street about the iconic children’s series, and we’re thrilled to be able to preserve a number of library series about Max in the U.S.,” a Max representative said. The Hollywood Reporter in a statement. “However, when we launched Max, and based on consumer usage and feedback, we had to prioritize our focus on adult and family stories, and therefore new episodes of Sesame Streetare not currently core to our strategy.”
Trusted news and daily treats, straight to your inbox
See for yourself: The Yodel is the source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories.
Of Sesame Street in the market, it’s hard to imagine that the show won’t be talked about, with its big name and five decades of episodes. However, reports of previous financial problems could delay the process of reaching a deal. It’s not clear what the next step will be for the show, but the team at Sesame Workshop seems optimistic that an agreement can be reached soon.
In a statement to THRa spokesperson said that the Sesame Street team is Warner Bros. Grateful to Discovery for extending the partnership until 2027, adding that members of the team “look forward to announcing our new distribution plans in the coming months, to ensure that Sesame Street reaches as many children as possible for generations to come.”
