Sesame Street 2026: Where to Watch & Is It Still Running

Your kid asks for Elmo, and suddenly you are checking three different apps for one beloved red puppet. The show has been on since November 10, 1969, and the 2026 streaming picture is surprisingly kind to families — as long as you know where the free episodes actually live, which this Sesame Street streaming guide maps.

First aired: November 10, 1969 · Seasons: 55+ · Episodes: over 4,500 · US subscription home: HBO Max · Free options: Tubi TV, The Roku Channel, Hoopla · JustWatch · Open Culture

One show, two very different catalogs: the current library on Max and the classics scattered through free, ad-supported places.

Is Sesame Street still running in 2026?

Yes. Sesame Street is still in active production. In 2026, the series underwent a major streaming shift: Netflix became the exclusive home for new episodes starting with Season 56, while HBO Max retained the classic library through Season 55.

The Netflix Tudum article confirmed the multi-year deal, stating the platform launched an official Sesame Street collection in June 2026 with over 100 library episodes and specials, with plans through Season 62. Netflix Tudum

The takeaway: the current landscape is stable for 2026, but the library geography will keep changing until a long-term deal is announced.

Where can I watch Sesame Street?

The US streaming picture is split between two subscription services and several free ad-supported platforms. The platform you choose depends almost entirely on which era of the show you want to watch.

• HBO Max (Max): Library seasons 1–55, expected availability through 2027.
• Netflix: Current seasons 56 and beyond, plus a curated library of 100+ classic episodes and specials.
• YouTube / YouTube Kids: 100+ full episodes from the archives, including the 1969 pilot, on the main channel and the Sesame Street Classics channel.
• Tubi TV: 250+ episodes covering the first 38 years of the show (1969–2007), free with ads.
• The Roku Channel & Hoopla: Rotating free ad-supported libraries. Hoopla requires a library card.
• PBS Kids: Free episodes available on the PBS Kids website and app.

What the listings actually say

Watch the First Episode of Sesame Street — and 140 Other Free Episodes.

Open Culture

Sesame Street is listed in the US on HBO Max, Netflix, Netflix Kids, Tubi TV, The Roku Channel, and Hoopla.

JustWatch

Is Sesame Street on Netflix or Disney+?

Netflix: Yes. Since the June 2026 deal, Netflix is the definitive US subscription home for the current series. The Tudum article confirms seasons beyond 56 will debut on Netflix.

Disney+: No. JustWatch’s US availability listing does not include Disney+.

How to watch classic Sesame Street episodes for free?

If you want the material from the first 38 years, the free platforms carry a vast amount of content. The easiest approach is to pick the platform that matches the era you want. Read on for where to watch classic Sesame Street episodes for free.

1. Head to the official Sesame Street Classics channel on YouTube for the 1969 pilot and 100+ free full episodes. Open Culture
2. Open the Tubi TV app to browse 250 episodes from the series’ 38-year classic run (1969–2007). Toy Book
3. Check The Roku Channel or Hoopla for additional free rotations of select episodes.
4. Visit the PBS Kids website or app for recent episodes available to stream at no cost.

The pattern: YouTube gives you the most stable archive, while Tubi offers the deepest rotating catalog for specific eras.

Does Sesame Street include LGBTQ characters?

Sesame Street has introduced LGBTQ representation, most notably in 2021 with the introduction of Nina’s two dads. However, as of early 2026, no main muppet has been explicitly identified as LGBTQ in official Sesame Street materials.

Frequently asked questions