Sesame Workshop & U-NEXT Ink Multiyear Deal

Sesame Workshop and U-NEXT have partnered for a multiyear SVOD exclusive deal to bring more Sesame Street content to Japan.

U-NEXT will premiere TV programs, read-along videos and e-book titles from Sesame Workshop. It will also air content never before seen in Japan such as Sesame Street’s 50th Anniversary Celebration and Mecha Builders, both of which will debut next year, as well as Sesame Workshop’s docuseries Through Our Eyes.

Sesame Street will also be the first brand featured in U-NEXT LEARN, an upcoming safe and reliable environment for kids to access educational content that will aid in social development.

“At the heart of everything we do is something we deeply believe in—the power of early childhood education to change lives,” said Ed Wells, executive VP and global head of media and education at Sesame Workshop. “We have always been confident that if we want to see a better world and a brighter future, the best investment we can make is in quality early education for the world’s children. That’s why we’re thrilled to team up with U-NEXT, a media company that has been committed to innovation since its founding, becoming the home for high-quality global and local content that sparks audiences’ imaginations. Along with the iconic, award-winning children’s program Sesame Street, U-NEXT subscribers will now be able to watch, read and listen to a slate of new content featuring Elmo, Cookie Monster and their friends–and all available in Japanese.”

U-NEXT President Tenshin Tsutsumi said, “I am very happy that we managed to reach this exclusive streaming distribution agreement with Sesame Workshop. Sesame Street is a global phenomenon with its unique way of addressing topics, such as diversity and SEL (social and emotional learning). Offering a wide range of content for our users to enjoy in a single comprehensive service, U-NEXT is aiming to deliver a selection of Sesame Street-related programs, including TV programs, read-along videos and e-books, while honoring their concept and the values they represent. It fills me with great joy that we get to serve as a key touchpoint between such an established brand and the children in Japan, acting not just as a means for early childhood education, but for learning through play as well.”