In 2016, the iconic childrens' series is moving from PBS to, of all networks...HBO. After 45 years of airing on the free public television network, America's most beloved television neighborhood will move to the not-free, very expensive, subscription-based pay-cable network, where new episodes will air first; the episodes will then air on the Peeb 9 months after their Home Box Office debuts. This is a part of a huge five-year programming and development deal that will keep the series alive for at least up to its 50th anniversary, along with HBO getting exclusive rights to previous episodes on its Go and Now digital services and new spin-off series.
This has a lot to do with the viewing habits of its young demographic changing from TV to the Internet.
Of course, people are in a tizzy about it, citing that HBO is not only a pay-TV network, but also a pay-TV network that caters to adults. Many of the programs that air on it are catered to adults, like Game of Thrones, True Detective, The Leftovers, Girls, Silicon Valley and Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. And also airs movies that are rated R.
Need I remind you that it isn't the first time that HBO has aired programming for children? After Fraggle Rock aired, HBO kept up the mantra with Babar, The Little Lulu Show, George and Martha, The Mr. Men Show, Harold and the Purple Crayon, I Spy, A Little Curious, Postman Pat, and of course, Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child. No one said a thing about those shows airing at the same time as The Sopranos, Sex and the City or Arli$$. So what difference is there between those examples and Sesame Street?
Because there are puppets? Because it teaches kids? Because families are too poor for cable and are too proud to ask their friends for their HBO Go accounts for this one time?
Oh yeah, I guess the G-, PG-, and PG-13-rated films it showcases don't really exist there either, right?
Might I remind you that this show taught us about death (of course in a decent, dignified manner)?
Or the fact that Katy Perry appeared wearing a skimpy-ass dress that aroused people in a singing skit with Elmo?
Or--oh yeah? this little clip involving Maria BREASTFEEDING?!?
My point is: Sesame Street was no different than any of the childrens' shows that aired on HBO years prior, and was just as bold and mind-challenging as some of the shows that aired on HBO. I'm not saying that these two polarizing-ly different things are a perfect match, but it makes sense in more than one way--
financially and successfully.
Because of the fact that Sesame Workshop is having a bad several years with money--and that Sesame Street is bearing the brunt of it, HBO (an EXTREMELY loaded network and company) stepped in to help out by giving the company a big payout and giving the show better production values and more episodes a year (previously 18, now 35) and more options to watch outside of TV (online, of course).
But no, you don't want that because HBO airs adult shows and R-rated movies? Adults shows and R-rated movies that only air at night? Why do you think they air their shows twice a week? On the same night? And that it will change it?
HBO doesn't own Sesame Street--and as a matter of fact, neither did PBS. It has been owned by Sesame Workshop (and it's previous name The Childrens' Television Workshop) since its beginnings. PBS (along with its predecessor NET) only broadcasts the show, just as HBO will do as well.
And by the way: another point people are trying to make is that they have to wait 9 months before new Sesame will air on PBS. So? Do you actually care about this? Do your children care about that? The kids won't know or care that new Sesame Street will air on PBS in the same time it takes to make a kid. That is unless you wanna stress yourself by telling them that like a fool. It's like this concerns some grown adults more than children. I'm not saying adults can't watch Sesame Street (it's absolutely fine), but it sounds super sad.
So in the end, from here on out: Sesame Street is airing on HBO. Get used to it.
It's not gonna hurt anybody (especially you ADULTS) and it's gonna be all right, especially into the future, now that HBO is putting it and Sesame Workshop under it's wing. Besides it's never going to leave PBS and will do fine there as well. And if you think that PBS will die without Sesame Street, remember this-- It's just. ONE. show. PBS already has other shows it can live off of, like Super WHY!, Dinosaur Train, Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, Odd Squad and Arthur. And forget the shows that air at night like News Hour, Nova, Nature, Frontline, Masterpiece, Antiques Roadshow and American Masters.
So if you're still crying about it, here's a video to cheer you up--It's Kermit the Frog singing "Rainbow Connection". I'm pretty sure his break-up with Miss Piggy doesn't mean much to you anymore.
Wait. It does?? *sigh* This country...
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