Sesame Street Fans Shaken After HBO Ends Deal To Air New Episodes

LOADINGERROR LOADINGParents everywhere are feeling frazzled after learning that the future of “Sesame Street” is now in danger.The long-running series will soon be without a home following news that HBO and Max has ended its deal to air new episodes of the children’s classic, which it acquired from PBS in 2015.Advertisement Though the show has been a cornerstone of youth programming since it debuted in 1969, HBO and Max’s parent company, Warner Bros.Discovery, told the media the long-running series was no longer “core” to their business strategy in a statement on Friday.The streaming services will continue to host old episodes from the “Sesame Street” catalog through 2027 and the current season of the show will be available to watch on Max next month, however.Even still, parents and fans were distraught by the thought of “Sesame Street” going away.Explaining to my three year old that Elmo has to go away because he wasn't providing enough value to shareholders.

My son turns to me and says "while I personally enjoy Sesame Street I understand that corporations must put their obligations to shareholders above consumer demands."— Sam (@samenrider.bsky.social) 2024-12-16T16:34:03.254ZAdvertisement Yes.It was intentional.Republicans defunded NPR and PBS, forcing PBS to privatize Sesame Street.

Now HBO Max (WarnerBD, board chair Republican John C Malone; CEO Republican DavidZaslav) is ditching Sesame Street.— Eric Blair (@protecttruth.bsky.social) 2024-12-16T05:48:41.867ZOnline, many wondered how to break the news to their Elmo-obsessed toddlers.Others remembered how PBS was essentially forced to part ways with the educational mainstay, largely due to how cuts in public funding made the show too expensive for the free-to-air broadcaster to keep.In 2019, The Hollywood Reporter revealed that it cost HBO a hefty $25 million to create a 35-episode season.Advertisement While many worried that Big Bird and friends will be now gone for goo...