Sesame Street moving to Netflix months after layoffs

The streaming giant will receive the rights to stream both new and old episodes of the classic children's show, according to a Monday statement from Netflix. The Public Broadcasting Service, or PBS, planned to continue to host the show on its own digital platforms, while making new episodes simultaneously available to Netflix subscribers.

Episodes of Sesame Street’s upcoming 56th season will be available on Netflix at the same date and time they premiere on PBS broadcast stations and PBS Kids digital platforms, PBS said Monday. The multiyear deal will allow episodes to continue to debut on PBS stations, across PBS KIDS video and games digital platforms, and Netflix, PBS added. A unique public-private partnership will ensure that children across all American communities have free access to Sesame Street, Sesame Workshop CEO Sherrie Westin said. Episodes will feature several new segment formats, like Cookie Monster opening a cookie cart and exploring Abby Cadabby’s fairy garden, according to Netflix.

Did the Trump administration’s cuts trigger the switch to Netflix? Neither party acknowledged the recent cuts to public broadcast funding under the Trump administration when announcing the change. However, the platform expansion came about two months after sweeping layoffs at the Sesame Workshop. In what is allegedly a leaked employee memo published by an editor with the media outlet Semafor, Westin cited a changing media landscape along with federal funding policy changes for triggering a company budget shortfall. Westin also noted that the end of Sesame Street’s previous deal with distributor Max also contributed to the need to reduce staff.

Dig deeper: Read Lauren Canterberry’s report for more background on the Trump administration’s cuts to public broadcast funding.