Sunny days are sweeping the clouds away for YouTube. In a move that’s both nostalgic and strategically brilliant, YouTube has reached a new deal with Sesame Workshop, the non-profit group behind “Sesame Street,” which will see YouTube become the official home of the beloved kids TV show moving forward. For parents who grew up with Big Bird and Elmo, this isn’t just about streaming convenience, it’s about ensuring the next generation has access to the same educational magic that shaped millions of childhoods.
The Deal That Changes Everything for Kids’ Content
Starting from January 2026, YouTube will have the largest digital library of Sesame Street content, with hundreds of full episodes coming to the platform. This isn’t just a licensing agreement—it’s a comprehensive partnership that positions YouTube as the primary digital destination for one of television’s most enduring and beloved children’s programs.
The deal, which starts in January 2026, includes “hundreds” of episodes from the show’s archives, making it the most extensive collection of Sesame Street content available on any single digital platform. For context, that’s potentially decades worth of educational entertainment, from classic segments featuring original characters to more recent episodes that have adapted to modern teaching methods.
What makes this particularly compelling for families is the accessibility factor. YouTube is free to use, and Kids content (which we assume Sesame Street falls under) is ad-free, so you don’t even need a YouTube Premium account to avoid commercials.
The Streaming Wars Get a New Player
YouTube’s acquisition of Sesame Street content represents a major victory in the increasingly competitive streaming landscape. While Netflix, Disney+, and other services battle over blockbuster movies and prestige television, YouTube has quietly positioned itself as a powerhouse in children’s and family content.
The expanded partnership between studio and platform will make YouTube host to the largest digital library of Sesame Street content, giving the platform significant leverage in attracting and retaining family subscribers. More importantly, it establishes YouTube as a legitimate destination for premium children’s programming, not just user-generated content.
This move is particularly smart given YouTube’s existing strength in children’s content. Many of today’s most popular kids’ creators are already on the platform, from educational channels to entertainment personalities that children love. Adding Sesame Street to this ecosystem creates a comprehensive destination for family viewing.
