(Photo: HBO)
Sesame Street will not look the same if it returns for a 56th season. Earlier this month, it was revealed that HBO had not renewed the children’s series beyond season 55.
Since Fall 2016 and season 46, new half-hour episodes of Sesame Street have been premiering on HBO as part of a multi-year deal that provided Sesame Workshop, the non-profit corporation that produces the show, the financial means to to continue making the series. PBS viewers would get to see the episodes for free nine months later.
New details about the series’ possible future are being revealed for the potential 56th season, which has yet to find a home. The world is different from when Sesame Street began in 1969. There are lots of other programs for young children and kids learn things at younger ages, meaning the show needs to do things differently. According to Sesame’s research, the program now works for most two and three-year-olds. When viewers reach ages four or five, they see it as a baby show and are ready to move on.
With that in mind, those at Sesame Workshop began revamping the series, and the reimagined version of the show will focus on just four main characters – Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster, and Grover. The hope is that by narrowing the episodes’ focus, children will feel a deeper connection with the characters.
According to the The Washington Post, episodes that will air in season 56 and beyond will “be anchored by two longer, character-driven stories with ‘more conflict and more peril’ and deeper character development.”
Other beloved characters like Bert and Ernie, Big Bird, The Count, and Oscar the Grouch, introduced in the series’ early days, will only have supporting roles and pop up occasionally.
The four main characters are being chosen because they “resonate most with our audience,” according to Kay Wilson Stallings, the chief creative development and production officer at Sesame Workshop.
By 2026, Sesame Street will hopefully have a new home to go with its new look.
What do you think? Are you and your family fans of this children’s program? Are you hoping to see it continue? Will you continue to watch it with the proposed changes?
I think it should stay the way it is!
I think Sesame Street still has an essential place in this modern world because of following its traditional learning experience with its characters. I grew up on Sesame Street and loved it. I introduced my son at age 2 to it and he is age 3 and still loves it along with other shows. I hope Sesame Street goes to Netflix or another network that appreciates its history and its rightful place in current society. Keep it the same! Please Sunny days.
Its not Sesame Street without Ernie and Bert!
Sesame Street and Mo Wilhelms are the only reason we have Max. Mo is gone so if Sesame Street goes so will we. All of our 8 children watch it from 20 to 2. I think the 10&12 year olds watch it the most. They like the older seasons though with less digital and animated scenes. Sesame Street helped children handle real world problems, conflicts,and emotions. Changing that coincides with younger children not being able to regulate their feelings. I get comments on how well balanced my children are emotionally and I credit Sesame Street for part of that balance.… Read more »
No change is necessary!
Sesame Street used to have early childhood educators providing input on each episode. Trying to change the structure after half a century feels like a way to make it fail.
My brother’s and I watched Sesame street through our childhood and we loved it. Once I became a mommy, my kids enjoyed the show. Now I’m a grandma I have my grandson watching it. 3 generations. It’s sad and ashame of what going on trying to fade away the program. Some of these other programs look to digital or not realistic.
Keep it the same – children (and adults) need to learn how to be empathetic, kind, helpful, and learn. Please keep it the same!!!!;