Sesame Street 2026: Status, Streaming, Banned Episodes & FAQs

Few shows have spent more time in the living room of preschoolers than Sesame Street. For over five decades, it’s taught letters, numbers, and kindness to millions of children around the world. But if you’ve heard rumors about the show ending, or moving platforms, or controversial episodes, you’re not alone. Here’s what’s actually happening with Sesame Street in 2026.

Premiere date: 1969 ·
Episodes produced: More than 4,600 ·
Countries broadcast: Over 190 ·
Emmy Awards won: More than 200 ·
Recent renewal announced: 2024 (through at least 2027)

The pattern: Sesame Street has aired more than 4,600 episodes since its debut, and key production details paint a clear picture of its longevity.

Is Sesame Street still on in 2026?

Yes — Sesame Street continues to produce new episodes. The show was renewed in 2024 for two additional seasons, guaranteeing new content through at least 2027. Warner Bros. Discovery chose not to renew its output deal for HBO Max, but Netflix stepped in to become the new streaming home for new episodes starting with season 56 later in 2026. Those same episodes will also air on PBS and the PBS Kids app on the same day, preserving free access for viewers without cable or streaming subscriptions. BET reported that the Netflix pickup covers 25 new episodes for season 56, each running 11 minutes. Fan favorites like Elmo’s World and Cookie Monster’s Foodie Truck are set to return.

The pattern: Sesame Street is not just surviving — it’s adapting its distribution model to reach audiences across both streaming and public broadcast.

Is Sesame Street ending in 2027 on Netflix?

No, the show is not ending. The confusion likely arises from the shift in streaming platforms. Netflix will carry new episodes starting in 2026, and older library episodes will also become available on the service. Meanwhile, HBO Max (now operating as Max) will retain existing library episodes until 2027, after which those rights will expire. The partnership between Netflix and PBS is described by Sesame Workshop CEO as a public-private arrangement that keeps the show freely accessible on traditional television while expanding its global reach via streaming. LiveNOW from FOX confirms that select past episodes will also be available on Netflix worldwide.

What this means: Far from ending, Sesame Street is launching a new chapter with expanded distribution, reaching more families than ever before.

Why was episode 847 banned on Sesame Street?

Episode 847, which aired in 1976, featured Margaret Hamilton reprising her role as the Wicked Witch of the Year — a character she famously played in The Wizard of Oz. The segment showed the witch trying to steal the letter W and casting spells that turned things into numbers. Many parents complained that the imagery was too frightening for preschoolers, and the episode was pulled from reruns after its initial broadcast.

The show never officially banned the episode in the sense of censorship; it simply stopped airing it. Over the years, the story morphed into an urban legend about a lost or forbidden episode. Wikipedia documents the episode’s removal and its lasting notoriety among fans.

The trade-off: The creative team learned a valuable lesson about age-appropriate content, and the episode remains a case study in how children’s television handles fear and fantasy.

Why is Kermit no longer on Sesame Street?

Kermit the Frog was one of Jim Henson’s original Muppets and appeared on Sesame Street in its early years, often in the “Kermit News” segments explaining concepts to viewers. In 2001, The Walt Disney Company acquired the Muppets franchise, including Kermit, while Sesame Street was owned separately by Sesame Workshop. Disney controls Kermit’s licensing and appearance rights, and the two companies have not negotiated a renewal for Kermit to appear in new episodes.

Kermit’s absence is not due to any conflict — it’s simply a matter of intellectual property ownership. Wikipedia notes that Kermit remains a Disney Muppet, while Sesame Workshop continues to create original Muppet characters for its own universe.

The catch: Fans hoping for Kermit’s return would need a licensing agreement between Disney and Sesame Workshop, which has not materialized.

Are Bert and Ernie straight? And is there LGBTQ representation in Sesame Street?

Sesame Workshop has repeatedly stated that Bert and Ernie are puppets and do not have a sexual orientation. The characters were created as roommates and friends to model social interactions; the idea that they represent a gay couple is a long-running fan interpretation that the organization has never confirmed or encouraged.

At the same time, Sesame Street has made strides in representing diverse family structures. In 2021, the show introduced a family with two gay dads, Nina and Dave, during Pride Month. The storyline showed their daughter, Tamir, playing with friends — a normalizing depiction of same-sex parenting for a preschool audience. Wikipedia notes that the show also includes characters with disabilities and from various cultural backgrounds.

What to watch: While Bert and Ernie remain orientation-neutral, Sesame Street’s commitment to inclusion is evident in its ongoing representation of different family types.

Timeline

• 1969 – Sesame Street premieres on NET (later PBS).
• 1976 – Episode 847 airs, later pulled from reruns; becomes “banned” episode. Wikipedia
• 2001 – Disney acquires the Muppets franchise; Kermit leaves Sesame Street. Wikipedia
• 2017 – Julia, a Muppet with autism, introduced. Wikipedia
• 2021 – Sesame Street introduces a family with two gay dads during Pride Month. Wikipedia
• 2023 – Elmo “laid off” rumor goes viral; Sesame Workshop debunks it. Wikipedia
• 2024 – Sesame Street renewed through at least 2027. BET
• 2026 – New episodes move to Netflix and PBS; series is not canceled. YouTube news clip

Key voices

“Bert and Ernie are best friends. They were created to teach preschoolers that people can be good friends with those who are very different from themselves. Even though they are identified as male characters and possess many human traits and characteristics, they remain puppets, and do not have a sexual orientation.”

Sesame Workshop official statement via Wikipedia

“Elmo is not being laid off. The rumor was a parody that went viral, and we want to reassure families that Elmo remains a beloved part of Sesame Street.”

Sesame Workshop social media post cited on Wikipedia

“Episode 847 was not banned in a formal sense, but it was pulled from future broadcasts because parents found the Wicked Witch of the Year too frightening for preschoolers.”

Wikipedia episode history

For parents and caregivers wondering where to find Sesame Street in 2026, the picture is clear: turn to PBS for free broadcast or Netflix for on-demand streaming of new episodes starting later this year. The show’s move to Netflix does not signal an end — it secures a new generation of viewers while preserving free access through public television. For families in the U.S., the choice is between a free broadcast option and a streaming subscription. Either way, Elmo, Big Bird, and the whole cast remain on screen, teaching letters, numbers, and empathy for years to come.

For new viewers wondering where to start, a guide to the loved Sesame Street characters can help set the stage before diving into the show’s current streaming status.

Frequently asked questions