Sesame Street is Homeless? HBO Ends Deal for First Run Episodes!

The partnership between Sesame Street and Warner Bros. Discovery is coming to an end. After the 56th season of the iconic children’s series debuts, new episodes will no longer premiere on Max. Existing episodes, however, will remain available on the platform until 2027, giving fans time to enjoy the extensive library while Sesame Workshop finds a new home for its flagship show.

This marks a significant shift for Sesame Street, which has spent nearly a decade under the Max (formerly HBO) banner. Warner Bros. Discovery has cited a pivot in content strategy—shifting focus to adult and broader family programming, such as the upcoming Harry Potter series—as a key reason for the decision.

A Storied HBO Partnership Ends

The Sesame Street and HBO partnership, launched in 2016, was transformative. At a time when funding for public broadcasting was in flux, the deal allowed Sesame Workshop to double its episode output and create spinoffs such as Esme & Roy and The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo. HBO also aired new Sesame Street episodes nine months before they became available on PBS, which remained a key part of the show’s mission to provide free, educational programming.

Despite this success, Warner Bros. Discovery’s evolving priorities appear to have left Sesame Street on the cutting room floor. Sesame Workshop, however, remains optimistic. In a statement, the organization confirmed it is actively exploring new platforms for the series, ensuring it continues to reach children and families globally.

What Happens Next?

Season 56 of Sesame Street, expected to premiere in early 2025, promises to continue the show’s evolution with longer narrative segments and updated storytelling approaches. While the future of Sesame Street on streaming is uncertain, Sesame Workshop has a long track record of navigating transitions. Whether it returns to PBS full-time or partners with another streaming giant like Netflix or Apple TV+, the show is poised to adapt.

Fans can rest assured knowing that existing episodes will stay on Max through 2027. This means Sesame Street will remain accessible for parents and educators while new distribution plans are finalized.

The Disney Connection: From Henson to the Muppets

No discussion of Sesame Street is complete without mentioning Jim Henson’s legacy. While Henson’s Muppets franchise and Sesame Street have always been separate entities—Sesame Street is owned by Sesame Workshop—Henson’s influence is undeniable.

In fact, Kermit the Frog was a regular presence on Sesame Street in its early days, bridging the two worlds. Disney eventually acquired the Muppets in 2004, leaving Sesame Street outside the Disney fold. However, this hasn’t stopped fans from drawing connections between the two.

MuppetVision 3D: Another End for Henson Content?

Disney’s relationship with Henson’s work is currently in the spotlight for another reason: the impending closure of Muppet*Vision 3D at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The beloved attraction, which opened in 1991 as a collaboration between Henson and Disney, is expected to close its doors in early 2025 to make way for new content.

This comes at a time when the Muppets franchise is seeing a modest resurgence, with projects like The Muppets Mayhem on Disney+. For fans of both Sesame Street and the Muppets, these developments are a reminder of how Henson’s creations continue to evolve—and sometimes face challenges—in the modern entertainment landscape.

A Quick Look Back: The HBO Era

The 2016 deal brought a new level of production value to Sesame Street, helping to modernize its visuals and storytelling. But it wasn’t without controversy. Critics argued that partnering with a premium service like HBO limited access for lower-income families. Sesame Workshop addressed these concerns by ensuring episodes would still air on PBS, albeit with a delay.

Despite the debate, the partnership undeniably helped Sesame Street expand its audience and innovate its format. As the show enters a new era, it carries forward lessons learned from its time on HBO.

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

What do you think about Sesame Street parting ways with Max? Do you think the show will thrive on a new platform, or should it return to its PBS roots full-time? Share this article and your thoughts on social media to keep the discussion alive.

Sources:

• The Wrap: Sesame Street Ends HBO Max Deal
• The Verge: Sesame Street to Leave Max
• Entertainment Weekly: Sesame Workshop’s Next Steps
• PBS on the History of Sesame Street
• The Guardian: Jim Henson and Disney