Sesamestreet

Yes, Sesame Street is still actively producing new episodes as of 2026, making it one of the longest-running children's television series ever created. The show has been in continuous production since its debut in 1969, evolving its format and cast of characters over the decades while keeping its core educational mission intact.

New Sesame Street episodes premiere on Max (formerly HBO Max) in the United States, then become available on PBS Kids after the streaming window closes. This arrangement has been in place since 2016, when Sesame Workshop struck a funding deal with HBO that expanded the show's production significantly.

In 2015, Sesame Workshop agreed to a deal with HBO primarily to secure funding that allowed the show to produce more episodes per season and increase episode length. HBO received first-run streaming rights in exchange, while PBS Kids continued to air episodes after the streaming window — keeping the show free for families without a subscription.

Sesame Workshop is a registered nonprofit educational organization and the production company behind Sesame Street. Its stated mission is to help children grow smarter, stronger, and kinder, and it reinvests revenue back into educational programming and global outreach rather than returning profits to shareholders.

Ryan Dillon has been performing Elmo since Kevin Clash, the longtime Elmo puppeteer, departed in 2012. Dillon has received official on-screen credit for the role for years and continues to bring the beloved red monster to life across TV, YouTube videos, and live appearances.

Sesame Street premiered on November 10, 1969, meaning the show has been on television for over 55 years as of 2026. That makes it one of the longest-running programs in American television history, spanning more than 50 seasons across broadcast and streaming platforms.

Tango is Elmo's adopted puppy, introduced as a new Sesame Street character in recent seasons to help young children explore themes of adoption and caring for a pet. The show celebrates Tango's 'Gotcha Day' — the anniversary of when Elmo adopted her — as a recurring and emotionally resonant storyline.

Yes, Sesame Street has a long history of tackling difficult real-world subjects in age-appropriate ways. Most famously, when actor Will Lee, who played shopkeeper Mr. Hooper, died in 1982, the show aired a special episode in 1983 that openly discussed his death with the Muppet characters — a landmark moment in children's television. The show has also addressed racism, disabilities, divorce, and the COVID-19 pandemic over its history.

Sesame Workshop's programs reach children in more than 190 countries, making Sesame Street one of the most globally distributed children's educational brands on the planet. The organization has produced locally adapted co-productions for numerous countries, tailoring the content to specific cultural contexts, languages, and community needs.

The Sesame Street YouTube channel has grown to over 30 million subscribers, placing it firmly in the Mega tier of creators and making it one of the largest children's content channels on the platform. It regularly posts full episodes, multi-episode compilations, and short clips starring Elmo, Cookie Monster, Oscar the Grouch, and the rest of the cast.