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Sesame Street Heads to Netflix as PBS Funding Remains Uncertain

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New York, USA

May 22, 2025 2 Neutral General

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New York, USA: After half a century on public television, Sesame Street is making a major streaming shift to Netflix. Uncertainty over federal PBS funding under President Trump drove Sesame Workshop to strike a multi-year deal ensuring new episodes appear first on Netflix. Edited versions will still air on PBS months later, preserving some public access. Critics worry that children in low-income households will lose timely viewings if public broadcasting funds diminish further. Netflix welcomes the show as a cornerstone of its family programming, while Sesame Workshop gains financial stability amid funding cuts.

What this means for you:

•	If you rely on free PBS broadcasts, note that first-run episodes may be delayed, so plan accordingly.
•	Families may face tough choices about paying for another streaming service or waiting for older episodes.
•	Public television could shrink further if federal subsidies drop, prompting additional partnerships with streaming giants.
•	If you’re budget-conscious, look for other free educational shows or watch for promotional Netflix offers.

Key Entities

• Sesame Street: Iconic children’s program historically on PBS, shifting to Netflix as a first-run platform.
• Sesame Workshop: Nonprofit producing Sesame Street, now ensuring funding through a Netflix deal.
• PBS: Public Broadcasting Service in the U.S., at risk due to proposed federal funding cuts.

Bias Distribution

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Multi-Perspective Analysis

Left-Leaning View

May decry the privatization of public educational media.

Centrist View

Highlights financial realities and contract details.

Right-Leaning View

Might emphasize trimming federal costs and promoting private solutions.

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