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Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bye-bye, Big Bird? Trump turns to Congress for help with $9.4B in DOGE cuts to PBS, foreign aid
The Trump administration will send Congress a bill looking to codify some $9.4 billion in cuts by the Elon Musk-helmed Department of Government Efficiency, according to published reports. The move, expected next Tuesday, comes as lawmakers on Capitol Hill continue to wrestle with the Republican White House's domestic policy mega-bill. The cuts target $1.1 billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and $8.3 billion in foreign assistance for both the U.S. Agency for International Development, an early casualty of Musk's DOGE buzzsaw, and the African Development Foundation, according to Axios. The transmission of the bill starts a 45-day clock for clawing back to previously appropriated funding. It puts the future of NPR, PBS (the home of 'Sesame Street' and other beloved children's programming) and USAID on the line, Axios reported, noting that the White House is looking for a 'big public fight" over the programs. And 'they are likely to get it,' the online news org reported. A caveat: Both NPR and PBS receive the bulk of their funding from nongovernmental sources, according to Axios. But the Corporation for Public Broadcasting still sends them around $535 million in federal funding a year. The cuts are more likely to impact smaller local stations, according to published reports. Trump signed an executive order earlier this month ending federal funding for PBS and NPR, pointing out that Americans have more media choices than they did when PBS was established in 1967. 'Government funding of news media in this environment is not only outdated and unnecessary but corrosive to the appearance of journalistic independence,' the order reads. 'At the very least, Americans have the right to expect that if their tax dollars fund public broadcasting at all, they fund only fair, accurate, unbiased, and nonpartisan news coverage,' it continued. 'No media outlet has a constitutional right to taxpayer subsidies, and the government is entitled to determine which categories of activities to subsidize.' NPR previously defended its editorial integrity after U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., called on the two broadcasters' CEOs to testify in a Capitol Hill hearing, Axios reported. While the future of other PBS programming may be on the bubble, parents reared on 'Sesame Street' and their kids who watch it now still have options. Netflix announced earlier this month that the show's 56th season, along with older episodes, will be coming to the subscription-only streamer later this year. "The new season will feature fresh format changes and the return of fan-favorite segments like Elmo's World and Cookie Monster's Foodie Truck," Netflix said in a post to its website. 'Expect new ways to play along as Cookie Monster opens his very own Cookie Cart on Sesame Street, and explore Abby's Fairy Garden, a home to surprising and delightful magical creatures.' The new episodes 'of the iconic series will be available same day-and-date in the U.S. on PBS stations and PBS KIDS digital platforms, bringing critical early learning to children throughout the country for free,' the streamer added. That could now depend on the future of PBS and the way things unfold on Capitol Hill. Federal judge orders Harvard researcher to be released from ICE custody Confirmation hearings next week for WMass AG's regional chief nominated for judgeship Mass. Gov. Healey slams ICE over migrant arrests on Nantucket, Vineyard No more 'fricking barber poles': Gov. Healey says as Mass. looks to shred regs SCOTUS rejects Mass. student's challenge to school's 'two genders' T-shirt ban Read the original article on MassLive.
Los Angeles Times
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
What Elmo, Netflix and HBO Max tell us about the state of streaming
If you want to understand what's going on in the streaming business, go find Elmo and Cookie Monster. Netflix's recent deal to stream the upcoming season of 'Sesame Street' is, on its own, a major step in the entertainment giant's effort to become a go-to destination for preschooler programming. At the same time, it's a useful way to understand one of the media industry's other big stories of the last week — Warner Bros. Discovery's re-rebranding of its streaming service back to HBO Max. First, the deal itself. Los Gatos, Calif.-based Netflix will begin streaming the beloved children's show's upcoming 56th season, along with 90 hours of older episodes, later this year. New 'Sesame Street' episodes will continue to air in the U.S. on PBS' stations and digital platforms, the nonprofit Sesame Workshop's longtime TV partner (which could use a win amid Congress' efforts to defund public broadcasting). Episodes will premiere the same day on PBS and Netflix. The new season will be released in three batches, and will include some format changes and the return of popular segments such as 'Elmo's World' and 'Cookie Monster's Foodie Truck.' Episodes will now be built around one 11-minute story, reflecting the shorter attention spans of younger viewers. The partnership includes a new animated segment, 'Tales from 123.' Additionally, Netflix will be able to develop 'Sesame Street' video games. Netflix is welcoming 'Sesame Street' to its block after HBO parent company Warner Bros. Discovery opted not to re-up its deal for new episodes, citing a shift in corporate priorities during a period of harsh cost-cutting. HBO — and by extension, the streaming service known until recently as Max — had been the home of 'Sesame Street' for years. The company then called Time Warner inked its deal with Sesame Workshop a decade ago, before AT&T or David Zaslav and his Discovery empire entered the picture. Having Big Bird appear on the exclusive and adult-skewing 'Game of Thrones' network never made much sense, but the deal was a lifeline for Sesame Workshop and kept the show alive, though it raised concerns among parent groups. After AT&T took over, WarnerMedia launched HBO Max, a much reviled rebranding that was meant to make room for more populist content, including 'Friends' and 'The Big Bang Theory.' It also allowed for more kids' programming, such as shows from Cartoon Network and Hanna-Barbera, along with 'Sesame Street.' Then came Zaslav, who stripped HBO from the streamer's name entirely, leaving it as just Max. Part of the justification of the change was that the name HBO, while well known and respected among fancy people in New York and L.A., was a turnoff for Middle America and those who might otherwise sign up to binge-watch 'Dr. Pimple Popper' and Guy Fieri. The executives were also convinced that the HBO brand, known for 'The Sopranos' and 'Sex and the City,' was a deterrent for parents. This was the era when streaming services were trying to be everything to everyone, and were losing billions of dollars trying to catch up to Netflix. Few companies other than Walt Disney Co. and HBO had distinct brands that made sense to people outside corporate conference rooms. The decision to excise the HBO moniker was widely derided at the time as flawed managerial thinking. Larry Vincent, a professor at USC Marshall School of Business and former UTA chief branding officer, called it a 'classic case of right question, wrong answer' that will go down alongside New Coke in the annals of marketing blunders. The name HBO has historically stood for quality, to the point that when people try to describe Apple TV+'s boutique streaming strategy, they compare it to early HBO. Last week, in an effective mea culpa during the media business' big upfront week of presentations for advertisers, the company said the service would be called HBO Max again. 'It just violated everything we know about how you build a premium brand,' Vincent said of the earlier rebrand. 'HBO has been at this for 50 years. It connotes a certain level of quality…. What we see now is that this is a reset to going back to the default position, because they realized this was silly.' The backpedaling move drew howls from social media, journalists and rivals. Even Max's own X account joined in on the fun. Warner Bros. Discovery executives were bracing for whatever John Oliver would say Sunday night during his show, and the comedian — never shy about bashing his own bosses — did not disappoint. The decision was an admission of a couple things: First, that trying to be an 'everything store' for entertainment was foolhardy when Netflix and Amazon both serve that exact purpose; and second, that it was a mistake to shy away from the brand that makes the streaming offering special. Casey Bloys, chairman of HBO and Max content, said in a statement that returning to the old name 'clearly states our implicit promise to deliver content that is recognized as unique and, to steal a line we always said at HBO, worth paying for.' As my colleague Stephen Battaglio recently pointed out, when media companies put out new streaming services these days, there's a tendency to avoid the now-cliche plus sign and stick with the brand name consumers already understand. For example, Disney's new $30 a month ESPN flagship service is simply called ESPN (ESPN+ is already taken by a more limited service). Under Bloys, HBO has continued its tradition of highly regarded original series, with recent examples including the latest seasons of 'The White Lotus,' 'The Last of Us' and 'The Righteous Gemstones.' The brand confusion is still real, though. I've spoken with agents and read publications that should know better that mistakenly think 'Hacks' and 'The Pitt' are HBO shows, when they're actually Max originals. That may not be important to consumers, but within the industry and for artists, it matters. As for preschool-focused programming such as 'Sesame Street,' that's no longer a priority for Warner Bros. Discovery's streaming strategy. The company has said it now wants to focus on 'stories for adults and families.' People who want shows for their toddlers can find them almost anywhere, including for free on YouTube. Disney+, of course, has troves of kids content, including Australia's acclaimed and much-watched 'Bluey.' And, increasingly, kids are tuning into Netflix, which is now the land of 'Ms. Rachel,' 'CoComelon' and 'Blippi,' all of which rose to popularity on YouTube. Kids and family programming now accounts for 15% of the platform's viewership, according to the company. Netflix also has 'Peppa Pig' and 'Hot Wheels Let's Race.' Suffice to say, if you want or need to turn your little ones into couch zombies for a while, Netflix has an increasingly crowded ZIP Code of shows for you. Cable's consolidation continues with Friday's announcement that Charter and Cox will merge in a $34.5-billion deal, uniting Southern California's two major cable TV and internet providers. The Charter-Cox combination would have 38 million customer homes in the nation, a larger footprint than longtime cable leader Comcast. Of the many interesting aspects of the deal, this one is particularly relevant to Los Angeles residents — if approved by Charter shareholders and regulators, the merger would end one of the longest TV sports blackouts, my colleague Meg James reports. Cox customers in Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills Estates and Orange County would finally have the Dodgers' TV channel available in their lineups. For more than a decade, Cox has refused to carry SportsNet LA because of its high cost. New Line Cinema's horror franchise revival 'Final Destination: Bloodlines' won the weekend box office with $51 million in the U.S. and Canada (more than $100 million globally), exceeding pre-release analyst estimates. The horror genre's power to draw moviegoers is undeniable. The marketing was clever (complete with morbid 3D billboards), and this series has built-in nostalgic value. The new grisly supernatural teen movie comes 14 years after the previous one, 'Final Destination 5.' The audience response has been generally positive. With a reported production budget of $50 million, this was a no-brainer, and another win for Warner Bros. chiefs Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy coming after 'Minecraft' and 'Sinners.' All eyes are now on James Gunn's 'Superman,' coming in July. Listen: 'Chaise Longue' rock band Wet Leg has new music on the way. Here's a preview.
Daily Mail
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Sesame Street has been saved months after its surprise 'cancellation' by Warner Bros. Discovery
Six months after Warner Bros. Discovery surprisingly 'canceled' the beloved and long-running children's show Sesame Street, Netflix has come aboard to save it. The series has aired on the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) since its debut back in 1969, though it moved to HBO following a new deal in 2016. The five-year deal was renewed in 2019 and the show was moved to HBO Max in 2020. New episodes would air on the streaming service exclusively for nine months, with episodes airing on PBS after that nine-month window. That all changed when HBO and its streaming service opted out of the output deal they had with Sesame Street back in December, with the show's 55th season debuting on HBO Max back in January. Now the show has a new home in Netflix, with the streaming service announcing on Monday that the 56th season will debut later this year. Not only will the new season debut on Netflix sometime in 2025, but they will also be adding over 90 hours of Sesame Street episodes as well. The streaming service also teased that the season will showcase, 'fresh format changes,' with the episodes becoming more focused. Each of the new 11-minute episodes will, 'now center on one 11-minute story, allowing for even more character-driven humor and heart,' according to the Netflix release. They also touted the return of, 'fan-favorite segments like Elmo's World and Cookie Monster's Foodie Truck.' The beloved Cookie Monster character will be opening his new Cookie Cart on Sesame Street, while Abby's Fairy Garden will also provide, 'a home to surprising and delightful magical creatures.' Unlike the HBO deal, which forced viewers to pay for a subscription to watch the latest episodes, Netflix will also air their new Sesame Street episodes day-and-date in the United States on PBS TV stations and on PBS Kids digital platforms as well, 'bringing critical early learning to children throughout the country for free.' Sal Perez and Kay Wilson Stallings serving as executive producers, with Emmy, Humanitas, and NAACP Award nominee Halcyon Person (Karma's World, Dee & Friends in Oz) comes aboard as the show's new head writer. HBO Max will continue to license episodes from the Sesame Street library through the year 2027. 'This unique public-private partnership will enable Sesame Workshop to bring our research-based curriculum to young children around the world with Netflix's global reach, while ensuring children in communities across the U.S. continue to have free access on public television to the Sesame Street they love,' Sesame Workshop CEO Sherri Westin said in a statement. 'I strongly believe that our educational programming for children is one of the most important aspects of our service to the American people, and Sesame Street has been an integral part of that critical work for more than half a century,' added Paula Kerger, president and CEO of PBS. 'We're proud to continue our partnership in the pursuit of having a profound impact on the lives of children for years to come,' Kerger concluded. The news
Engadget
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Engadget
Sesame Street will air on Netflix and PBS simultaneously
PBS, alongside NPR, is facing an unprecedented attempt from the executive branch to cut its federal funding and potentially reduce what it can offer. But, in good news, one of its mainstays will be widely available — at least for the time being. New episodes of Sesame Street are coming to both Netflix and PBS. The 56th season of Sesame Street will be available worldwide on Netflix and on PBS in the US. New episodes will come out the same day on the streamer, PBS Stations and PBS KIDS. "This unique public-private partnership will enable us to bring our research-based curriculum to young children around the world with Netflix's global reach, while ensuring children in communities across the US continue to have free access on public television to the Sesame Street they love," Sesame Workshop stated in a release. The deal also entitles Netflix to 90 hours of previously aired Sesame Street episodes. However, the new releases should look a bit different. Now, each episode will feature an 11-minute story, meant to allow for a deeper dive. There will also be a new animated bit called "Tales From 123," which takes place inside the characters' apartment building. Old segments will also return, like Elmo's World and Cookie Monster's Foodie Truck. To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here and view the "Content and social-media partners" setting to do so. N IS FOR NETFLIX! Sesame Street is joining the Netflix family! Brand new episodes — as well as past seasons — will premiere later this year. — Netflix (@netflix) May 19, 2025 HBO has been the home of Sesame Street for the last decade, but didn't renew it's partnership last year. Sesame Stree t fans who want to stick with PBS, though, will likely be happy about the new Netflix deal. With the old arrangement, Sesame Street episodes didn't air on PBS until the entire season had already arrived on HBO.
Los Angeles Times
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
‘Sesame Street' finds a new streaming home on Netflix
Elmo, Big Bird and the rest of the Sesame Street gang are moving into the Netflix neighborhood. The streaming service will debut the beloved preschool program's 56th season, along with 90 hours of older episodes, later this year, the Los Gatos, Calif., entertainment company said Monday. The move comes months after HBO parent company Warner Bros. Discovery decided not to continue its partnership with the nonprofit Sesame Workshop after a decade as part of a cost-cutting move. One thing remains: 'Sesame Street' also will continue to air on PBS stations in the U.S. and will be available across the public broadcaster's digital platforms. The public broadcaster has been the broadcast partner since the puppets were pups back in 1969. Through its deal with Sesame Workshop, Netflix will have exclusive worldwide premiere rights, and episodes will be available simultaneously on PBS stations. Licensing terms were not disclosed. Netflix said the new season, which will be released in three batches, will include some format changes and the return of popular segments such as 'Elmo's World' and 'Cookie Monster's Foodie Truck.' Episodes will now be built around a 11-minute story, tailored to the shorter attention spans of younger viewers. The deal was a natural for Netflix, which has become the go-to streaming service with programming to serve nearly every audience. The company said kids and family programming represents 15% of Netflix's total viewing.
