The thoroughly entertaining Television series, Sesame Street, will be seen on HBO from January next year with a complete transformation due to additional changes. After years on PBS, the 46th season of Sesame Street will broadcast on HBO beginning 16 January, 2016 with two new 30 minute episodes airing back to back starting at 9:00 am.
‘Boldest Changes’ have been made to the Street as per the premium cable network. HBO has revamped the show for its audience, the iconic Sesame Street theme song has “a new upbeat update,” and the opening credits now take place in the Sesame Street neighborhood, instead of other New York City locals. Also, the closing song that leaves the viewers smiling cheerfully is also refurnished for good.
However, the greatest change will be the inclusion of an entirely new set. Elmo has moved into the 123 Sesame Street brownstone, and his bedroom is the ‘cornerstone’ of the building according to HBO. Cookie Monster now resides above Hooper’s Store, Abby Cadabby has a new garden, and Big Bird lives in a new nest in a tree. Oscar, the Grouch, has also relocated to a more central location and will also make appearances in trash cans, recycling bins and composting receptacles up and down the street.
And well, the most enchanting addition is the new human cast member Nina, a bilingual Hispanic woman, who has moved to Sesame Street and works at the laundromat and bike store. Nina, a witty and compassionate icon, will be played by Suki Lopez as she comes up with creative solutions to the gang’s problems.
While in the plot, Cookie Monster will star in a new segment, ‘Smart Cookies’ as he along with his team try to stop the villain, the Crumb. The complete new side of Sesame Street may also leave the viewers with a question – What has happened to the Sesame Street? Hope the changes will definitely excite and entertain the audience for good.
The Sesame Street teaser released on 24 November by HBO is a truly a remarkable work of witty creativity and smart strategy. The teaser will intrigue you throughout as it ends with a surprise. Definitely, only HBO could have managed to come up with such an innovative teaser that is both entertaining and effective in its own way.
Carol-Lynn Parente, Executive Producer, Sesame Street, said, “I am so excited for kids to explore our updated neighbourhood and discover where their favorite characters live. Sesame Street has always been the ideal play date for preschoolers. Now, that play date is focused on topics and themes that are very engaging to kids, with our signature educational messages embedded into laughter and music.”
As per Sesame Street and HBO’s five-year partnership, all new episodes of Sesame Street will air first on HBO and its related channels and platforms. Two episodes will premiere on January 16 on HBO, with a new episode airing each subsequent Saturday, followed by a repeat. Those new episodes will also debut simultaneously on HBO Latino, dubbed in Spanish. Current and past Sesame Street seasons will also air daily on HBO Family at 8:00 am, while five years of past episodes will be available to stream on HBO Now, HBO Go and HBO On Demand. After nine months, the new episodes will then be made available to PBS, which will air Season 46 next September.
Although several changes have been introduced, one thing that won’t change in this Season is Sesame Street’s trend of welcoming celebrity guest stars. This season will feature Gwen Stefani, Pharrell Williams, Nick Jonas, Sara Bareilles, Alan Cumming, Ne-Yo, Tracee Ellis Ross and ‘Jane’ the Virgin star Gina Rodriguez.
Shorter episodes, new sets, new character and innovative theme song will surely add far more excitement to the long time running series. And, HBO, known for its legacy of broadcasting quality content, will add to the bizarre entertainment in an educative way by expanding its reach to multiple audiences.