Introduction to Sesame Street on Netflix
Sesame Street, the popular US television program, has completed a deal with Netflix to appear on the streaming platform. The show will still be available on the free-to-air channel PBS. According to Netflix, Sesame Street is a "beloved cornerstone of children’s media, enchanting young minds and promoting a love of learning".
New Content on Netflix
From later this year, Netflix will offer its 300 million subscribers around the world a new 56th season of the show and 90 hours of earlier episodes. This deal ensures that Sesame Street will continue to entertain and educate children worldwide.
History of Sesame Street
The show was created in the late 1960s by co-founders Lloyd Morrisett and Joan Ganz Cooney, who turned to the Graduate School of Harvard University with a new way of teaching. A team led by a developmental psychologist worked with the Sesame founders to analyze childhood psychology and produce entertaining lessons. They collaborated with the Muppets creator Jim Henson to create characters like Big Bird, set in an urban street environment.
Impact of Sesame Street
Since its first broadcast on November 10, 1969, millions of children have grown up with the show. The program and its characters have achieved a life beyond the small screen, addressing various social issues over the decades. For example, during the child obesity epidemic in the United States in 2006, Sesame Street conducted segments on healthy habits to teach children about nutrition and exercise. The Cookie Monster even declared cookies as "sometimes food" to promote a balanced diet.
Celebrity Appearances and Educational Content
Former First Lady Michelle Obama visited the Sesame Street studios to film a healthy eating segment. The show has also featured other notable guests, including Elmo, who was invited to discuss music education at Congress in 2002. Netflix has increased its focus on children’s content, which now makes up 15% of its service.
Other Children’s Content on Netflix
In addition to Sesame Street, Netflix has announced new episodes of Peppa Pig and a mobile game with puzzles and coloring activities. The animated show follows the adventures of a four-year-old pig named Peppa, who lives with her family in a fictional British town. As part of the deal, PBS will have access to Sesame Street episodes on the same day they are released on Netflix, ensuring that the show remains accessible to a wide audience.
