Sesame Workshop

Sesame Workshop is a nonprofiteducational organization best known for creating and producing the television series Sesame Street, which combines live-action, puppetry, and animation to teach literacy, numeracy, and social skills to preschool-aged children. In addition to the flagship show, the organization develops a wide range of multimedia content, including books, digital games, mobile applications, and streaming videos that extend its curriculum beyond broadcast. Its programming is designed to be research‑based, with input from child development experts and educators to ensure age‑appropriate learning outcomes. Sesame Workshop also creates localized adaptations of Sesame Street that reflect the languages, cultures, and educational priorities of specific countries or regions. Through community outreach initiatives, the organization provides resources for parents, teachers, and caregivers to support early learning in homes and schools. The mission of Sesame Workshop is to help children grow smarter, stronger, and kinder by leveraging the power of media and education.

Sesame Workshop reaches audiences in more than 150 countries, offering versions of Sesame Street that are tailored to local contexts while maintaining core educational goals. The organization operates as a private nonprofit entity, governed by a board of trustees and funded through a combination of philanthropic grants, corporate partnerships, and revenue from licensing and merchandise. Its distinguishing attributes include a longstanding commitment to evidence‑based curriculum development, a pioneering role in using television for early childhood education, and a track record of addressing social issues such as diversity, health, and resilience through its content. In July 2025, the organization’s Elmo X account was compromised, resulting in the posting of antisemitic messages, as reported by The New York Times. This incident highlighted the cybersecurity challenges faced by even well‑known children’s brands in protecting their digital platforms. Despite such challenges, Sesame Workshop continues to expand its global footprint and adapt its offerings to emerging media environments.