The Future Of 'Sesame Street' Hangs In The Balance. Its Core Audience Might Not Care.

The news that Max has ended its partnership with the iconic series raises questions about whether the show really abandoned its mission years ago.

At this phase of the doomscrolling era, chronically online folks are accustomed to catching a glimpse of news that’s even marginally concerning and reacting to it with fervor. That’s particularly true when it comes to headlines about a piece of pop culture from their childhood that might be in jeopardy. This week, it was “Sesame Street.”

Nearly a decade after relocating from PBS to HBO ― a controversial move that meant some kids were no longer able to access the iconic children’s program, due to the shift from a free to a paid platform ― “Sesame Street” will once again be looking for a new home. Max, which has streamed the series since it moved off HBO in 2019, has decided not to renew its contract with the show beyond its 55th season, which premieres next month.

The platform will retain all “Sesame Street” episodes and programming through 2027 only.

In response, Dr. Cambria Nwosu posted on Threads: “As a mother and someone who grew up with Sesame Street, I’m deeply disappointed by this decision. Sesame Street isn’t just a show — it’s a lifeline for early education, teaching kids about kindness, diversity, and resilience.”

Comedian Paul F. Tomkins posted on Bluesky: “Imagine being the person who cancels Sesame Street and just living your life after that.” Meanwhile, another person posted on X: “I’m about to fall out into [the] abyss. They have canceled Sesame Street. Next will be the libraries. The poor children. Our future.”