Netflix Readies ‘Sesame Street’ Movie as Kids Slate Expands, VP of Kids & Preschool Animation Series Talks Strategy | Exclusive

Netflix is expanding its lineup of content for kids and preschoolers, set to include a new live-action "Sesame Street" movie in development with Rideback and Sesame Workshop. The streaming platform recently extended its deal with Sesame Workshop to cover Season 62 of "Sesame Street".

In addition to the movie, the company is bringing "Gabby's Dollhouse" spinoff "Doozie's Doghouse" to viewers on November 9, followed by a holiday-themed cooking series "Gabby's Dollhouse: Makers and Bakers" on December 9. The latter will feature Gabby and her pals with judges Aidy Bryant, Justin Willman, and Melissa Villaseñor. More episodes will follow in 2027.

Another new addition to Netflix's preschool catalog is the animated series "Puppy Pirates" from creator Matthew Fernandes. Meanwhile, "Bad Dinosaurs" has been renewed for seasons 2 and 3, with eight episodes each. Netflix Playground, the new mobile gaming app, will feature "Trash Truck" on October 27, "Numberblocks: Hide and Seek" on September 29, and "KPop Demon Hunters: Ready, Set Shine" on the same day.

Heather Tilert, Vice President, Animation Series, Kids + Preschool at Netflix, shared her thoughts on these developments. She explained that the expansion of "Sesame Street" is a no-brainer for the streamer, noting its popularity among families, especially in English-speaking countries. Tilert also praised the success of "Gabby's Dollhouse" and its ability to keep kids engaged with new episodes. The cooking show, a spinoff of "Gabby's Dollhouse", is designed for older preschoolers and aims to reinforce the brand's appeal.

Tilert emphasized that Netflix's strategy for kids and family content is to entertain viewers around the world with a diverse, high-quality, and quantity of content. The company aims to create a "walled garden" of content that parents can trust, catering to various age groups and developmental stages.