SESAME STREET Finds New Home on Netflix After President Trump’s PBS Funding Cuts

Written By :  Ekow Adjei Mensah

Iconic children’s show SESAME STREET is heading to Netflix for its 56th season, a move announced on May 19, 2025, following President Donald Trump’s executive order to cut federal funding to PBS and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The decision, comes after Sesame Workshop faced financial strain from reduced grants and the end of its HBO/Max deal with Warner Bros. Discovery. 

Netflix’s deal ensures new episodes and classic content will reach global audiences, with the streaming giant touting the partnership, saying, “N IS FOR NETFLIX!” Fans celebrated the rescue, though some expressed concern for other PBS programs now at risk.

The funding cuts, part of Trump’s broader push to reduce federal support for public broadcasting, were highlighted by Senator Ed Markey’s X post on May 7, 2025, which criticized the termination of the Ready to Learn grant that supported SESAME STREET. The show, a 55-year institution, faced layoffs in March as it scrambled to secure a streaming deal. 

Netflix’s intervention, not only saves the beloved program but also expands its reach, with new episodes set to debut later in 2025 alongside past seasons. This move has sparked relief among fans, with posts noting the show’s cultural significance.

While Sesame Street is secure, the broader impact of PBS funding cuts raises concerns, as noted on Facebook, with other public broadcasting programs still vulnerable. The Netflix deal reportedly allows SESAME STREET to continue airing on PBS, maintaining some accessibility despite the financial shakeup.

The show’s history of subtle jabs at Trump, like the 1980s “Ronald Grump” character, adds irony to the narrative. As Big Bird and friends prepare for their Netflix debut, fans worldwide are eager to see how this new chapter unfolds, ensuring the show’s legacy endures.