Sesame Workshop

What Sesame Workshop does

Sesame Workshop is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1969 and headquartered in New York, operating the globally recognized children's educational media brand Sesame Street. The organization produces research-based educational content combining Muppet puppetry, animation, live-action segments, and interactive digital experiences covering ABCs and 123s, social-emotional learning, healthy habits, school readiness, and emotional well-being. Its portfolio spans linear and streaming television (Netflix, PBS Kids, HBO Max, YouTube), interactive gaming (Sesame Street: Neighborhood Adventures and Sesame Street Mecha Builders on Roblox, Netflix Playground mobile app), regionally adapted mobile applications (Chalo! Sesame Street in India), point-of-care pediatric content delivery (via Phreesia partnership), consumer product licensing (Just Play toys, Glad packaging), and themed live entertainment.

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit funding stack rather than direct consumer revenue. Sesame Workshop provides all content free to families and is funded through foundation grants (PNC Foundation $6.2M in April 2026, LEGO Foundation $100M in 2018, MetLife Foundation, Morgan Stanley Alliance), corporate sponsorships (Abbott for healthy habits, Google and Meta for digital well-being), content and merchandise licensing royalties (Netflix movie deal, Tickle Me Elmo, Oscar the Grouch product licensing), and donations. Distribution channels span major streaming platforms, broadcast television, YouTube, the Roblox platform with over 60M lifetime visits across Sesame experiences, and licensing to the SeaWorld-operated Sesame Place theme parks (currently in active litigation over allegedly unpaid royalties). The organization reports reaching close to 12 million US children ages 0-8 monthly, with culturally adapted versions distributed across 150-190 countries, and documents long-term educational outcomes including 16% higher high school GPAs among viewers.

Name

Sesame Workshop

Legal name

Sesame Workshop

Website

https://sesameworkshop.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Sesame Workshop is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1969 that produces and distributes free research-based educational media (Sesame Street) to children ages 0-8 and families globally via streaming, broadcast, gaming, and apps, funded through foundation grants, corporate partnerships, and licensing royalties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's Educational Media

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (6117), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Multimedia Learning Production (Video, Animation, Interactive) (EDAGAKAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

K–12 Instructional Video & Multimedia (EDAGALAA), Autism Support Instructional Materials (Structured Teaching, Visual Supports) (EDAGAMAK), Special Needs Skill-Building & Therapy Learning Apps (Autism, OT/PT, Life Skills) (EDAFAKAJ), Certification & Credentialed Creator Programs (MPACALAI)

Keywords

• Children's educational media
• Early childhood education
• Nonprofit media production
• Social-emotional learning
• Educational content licensing

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Foundation and Corporate Grants: Major funding from foundations (PNC Foundation $6.2M grant, MetLife Foundation, Morgan Stanley Alliance) and corporations (Abbott healthcare partnership) to create educational content and programs at no cost to families.
2. Content Licensing and Streaming Deals: Licensing Sesame Street content to streaming platforms including Netflix (new seasons, movie), HBO Max (Charlotte's Web special), and YouTube. Content distribution agreements with PBS for broadcast.
3. Theme Park Licensing: Licensing Sesame Street brand to theme park operators including SeaWorld for Sesame Place parks (currently subject to ongoing litigation over royalty payments).
4. Merchandise Licensing: Licensing characters (Elmo, Oscar the Grouch) to toy manufacturers (Just Play Tickle Me Elmo, Glad trash bags) for product sales with royalty arrangements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Sesame Workshop produces research-based educational media and programs for children, with Sesame Street as its flagship product now in reimagined Season 56. The organization develops and distributes free educational content across streaming (Netflix, PBS Kids, YouTube, HBO Max), gaming (Roblox), mobile apps (Chalo! Sesame Street in India), interactive web games, and licensed merchandise, covering ABCs, social-emotional learning, healthy habits, and emotional well-being. It also licenses its characters and content to third parties for theme parks and consumer products.

Product overview

Sesame Workshop is a global nonprofit media and educational organization operating since 1969, with its flagship product being Sesame Street—one of the world's most-watched children's television shows now in its reimagined Season 56. The organization's portfolio spans multiple platforms including streaming services (Netflix, PBS Kids, HBO Max, YouTube), interactive gaming (Roblox experiences including Sesame Street: Neighborhood Adventures and Mecha Builders with 70M+ visits), mobile applications (Chalo! Sesame Street in India), digital wellness resources developed with Meta and Google, and physical/digital educational content across 150+ countries. Key programs include emotional well-being initiatives (Chhoti Badi Bhaavnaayein), healthy habits programs (Abbott partnership), school readiness resources (PNC Foundation), and point-of-care pediatric health content (Phreesia partnership). Sesame Workshop extends its reach through licensing to theme parks (SeaWorld/Sesame Place), consumer products (Tickle Me Elmo toys, Glad trash bags), public art exhibitions, and international adaptations. The organization generates revenue through licensing, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and philanthropic support rather than direct product sales.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sesame Street: Neighborhood Adventures: Roblox immersive digital experience featuring Sesame Street characters and minigames
• Sesame Street Mecha Builders: The Game
• Chalo! Sesame Street
• Sesame Street for Military Families

Products and services

• Sesame Street (TV Show) Iconic children's educational television show airing since 1969, featuring Muppet characters teaching ABCs, 123s, emotional well-being, and social skills through a research-based curriculum. Distributed on Netflix, PBS Kids, YouTube, and HBO Max.
• Sesame Street: Neighborhood Adventures Immersive Roblox gaming experience featuring minigames, character avatar creation, themed minigames, and Magical Beastie Quest educational gaming. Includes portals to Sesame Street Mecha Builders and exclusive content previews.
• Charlotte's Web Three-Part Animated Special Three-part animated special adaptation of E.B. White's classic novel, produced by Sesame Workshop with Academy Award winner Luke Matheny as showrunner. Available on HBO Max.
• Chalo! Sesame Street App Mobile app in India featuring play-based learning content and the 'Sehatmand Aadatein' (Healthy Habits) program with nutrition education. Approximately 158,000 installs since inception.
• Sesame Street Mecha Builders: The Game Single-player STEM educational experience on Roblox for ages 4+, featuring Mecha Abby, Mecha Cookie, and Mecha Elmo characters. Has surpassed 70 million visits since 2022 launch.
• I Notice, I Feel, I Can Interactive browser-based game helping children manage big feelings through a three-step strategy: noticing body sensations, naming feelings, and trying helpful activities with Sesame Street characters.
• Making It Work Interactive browser-based game helping children build flexibility by practicing responses to disappointments, surprises, and changes with Julia and friends from Sesame Street.
• Digital Well-Being Resources Educational resources teaching children and families six habits for healthy digital media use, developed with funding from Meta and Google. Includes videos, printables, expert interviews, and games.
• Emotional Well-Being Initiative (Chhoti Badi Bhaavnaayein) Emotional well-being initiative featuring immersive theatre experiences and multilingual digital resource hub with caregiver videos and social-emotional learning content. Operating in India, US, Brazil, Mexico, and Middle East, supported by MetLife Foundation.
• Healthy Habits Program (Abbott Partnership) Early childhood healthy habits resources including storybooks, activity guides, yoga-based movement prompts, and interactive games addressing nutrition, physical activity, and sleep. Distributed through Anganwadi centres, ASHA networks, and digital platforms in India.

Quantifiable outcome

• Close to 12 million children ages 0-8 engage with Sesame Street content monthly in the US
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NetflixcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 June 2026Netflix secured rights to produce a Sesame Street movie following a bidding war with Universal Pictures and Warner Bros. Rideback (Dan Lin) set to produce alongside Sesame Workshop. Also streaming new Sesame Street episodes. No director or release date attached to movie project.
• RXR (Real Estate)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 March 2026RXR partnered with Gillie and Marc and Sesame Workshop for public art exhibition 'The Power of Togetherness' at 590 Madison Avenue in Manhattan featuring larger-than-life sculptures of Sesame Street characters alongside endangered animals.
• PhreesiaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2025Five-year collaboration delivering pediatric health and wellness campaign with educational content featuring Sesame Street characters delivered during pediatric appointments. Won Point of Care Excellence Award for Best Unbranded Campaign in 2026.
• Toys and ColorsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 March 2025Sesame Workshop partnered with Toys and Colors (world's largest kids entertainment channel with 121 million subscribers) to produce crossover videos featuring Elmo, Grover, and Abby Cadabby alongside Toys and Colors personalities.
• On (Swiss Sportswear Brand)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 13 February 2025On launched SOFT WINS campaign featuring Sesame Street's Elmo to promote balanced approach to running, accompanying Cloudsurfer 2 shoe release. Campaign emphasizes self-compassion and personal milestones.
• PBS KidscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic Broadcasting Service distributes Sesame Street episodes on same day as Netflix, ensuring free access for U.S. families. 50+ year partnership continues with new reimagined Season 56 launching simultaneously on both platforms.
• YouTubecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouTube partnership makes Sesame Street content available on YouTube and YouTube Kids with over 100 full episodes streaming. Companies stated YouTube is now the largest digital library of Sesame Street content.
• RobloxcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSesame Workshop developed Sesame Street: Neighborhood Adventures immersive digital experience on Roblox platform. Includes character creator, themed minigames, exclusive content, and Magical Beastie Quest educational gaming. Made possible by Roblox Development Fund grant.
• NBCUniversalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNBCUniversal partnered with Sesame Street for Olympic coverage, bringing Elmo, Cookie Monster, Grover to Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Characters featured in social media activations, broadcast coverage, and athlete interactions following success of Paris 2024 partnership.
• Crunch LabsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Crunch Labs on a Christmas special produced on accelerated timeline. Crunch Labs founded by YouTube creator Mark Rober, achieved Netflix global top ten within days of first library drop.
• Girl Scouts of the USAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMeta and Google partnered with Girl Scouts alongside Sesame Workshop to deliver digital well-being lessons to children, though critics argued partnerships represent conflicts of interest.
• Just PlayminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerJust Play launched Tickle Me Elmo Giggle Max, 18-inch interactive toy celebrating 30th anniversary of original 1996 phenomenon. Sesame Workshop collaborated as IP licensor. Available at Amazon and Walmart with wider retail rollout mid-July 2026.
• GladminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerGlad introduced limited-edition trash bag packaging featuring Sesame Street's Oscar the Grouch, available exclusively at Walmart starting May 21, 2026. Collaboration follows previous campaign with humor-focused household product branding.
• SeaWorld Parks & EntertainmentminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerSeaWorld licensed Sesame Street brand for Sesame Place theme parks. Currently in active litigation as Sesame Workshop filed lawsuit in March 2026 alleging breach of licensing agreement, unpaid royalties since September 2024, and unauthorized closure of Sesame Place San Diego.
• Craigslist/NewmarkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCraigslist founder Craig Newmark partnered with Sesame Street's Count von Count character for Take9 public service campaign encouraging people to count to nine seconds before clicking suspicious content to avoid online scams.
• Beaches ResortsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBeaches Resorts sponsorship of Sesame Street content, supporting free family programming.
• Nex PlaygroundminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerNex Playground, family-fitness gaming console, secured IP partnerships with Sesame Workshop offering motion, dance, fitness, and educational games. Console outsold Xbox devices in U.S. during Black Friday week.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• PBS Kids: PBS Kids is the free, advertiser- and sponsor-supported children's educational media arm of PBS and Sesame Workshop's longest-standing distribution partner, airing Sesame Street alongside its own original educational programming for the same 0-8 audience with comparable curriculum-driven, non-commercial mission.
• Highlights for Children: Highlights is a long-running children's media brand offering books, magazines, and digital content focused on reading, math, and social-emotional learning for roughly the same age band as Sesame Workshop. It operates via a similar content-plus-licensed-products model aimed at parents and educators.
• Universal Kids (NBCUniversal): Universal Kids is NBCUniversal's cable and streaming preschool/early-elementary entertainment brand delivering curriculum-aligned shows. It competes for the same family audience and corporate-sponsor dollars and is co-distributed through NBCUniversal's broader platform alongside Sesame Workshop's Olympic partnership.
• Disney Junior: Disney Junior is Disney's preschool- and early-elementary-targeted programming brand delivering educational entertainment franchises (e.g., Doc McStuffins, Bluey on Disney+) to the same 0-8 audience Sesame Workshop serves, competing for parents' curriculum credibility and streaming attention.
• Nick Jr. (Paramount): Nick Jr. is the preschool-targeted programming block and streaming destination within Paramount targeting the same 0-8 demographic with educational and social-emotional shows such as PAW Patrol and Blue's Clues, competing directly for preschool screen time alongside Sesame Street.

Emerging players

• BYJU's: BYJU's is a leading EdTech company in India delivering app- and video-based early learning content to children, including through Disney content partnerships. It overlaps Sesame Workshop's India-focused early childhood education strategy (e.g., Chalo! Sesame Street) on geography and audience.
• Khan Academy Kids: Khan Academy Kids is a free, nonprofit early-learning app and platform for ages 2-8 covering literacy, math, and social-emotional skills. It directly overlaps Sesame Workshop's mission and audience through app-based adaptive learning content, though at a younger age band and without TV roots.
• Common Sense Media: Common Sense Media is a nonprofit that rates, reviews, and produces original educational media and digital well-being content for children and families. It overlaps Sesame Workshop's mission of guiding parents on kids' media, particularly in the digital well-being space funded by Meta and Google.

Broad incumbents

• YouTube Kids: YouTube Kids is Google's curated video product for children and Sesame Workshop's largest digital library partner (100+ episodes). It is the dominant user-generated and creator-led platform competing for the 0-8 audience and serves as both distributor and indirect competitor to Sesame's owned channels.

Others

• LEGO Foundation: The LEGO Foundation funds Learning through Play research and has committed substantial grants (e.g., $100M to Sesame Workshop in 2018) to advance play-based early childhood education. It is a key funding partner of Sesame Workshop with shared pedagogical approach, though it operates as a grantmaker rather than direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sesameworkshop
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SesameStreet
• Facebookfacebook.com/SesameWorkshop
• Instagraminstagram.com/sesameworkshop
• TikToktiktok.com/@sesamestreet
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sesame-workshop

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

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M&A

Investments4 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sesame Workshop