Who Owns Sesame Street?

Sesame Street has been an iconic children’s television program since its debut in 1969. Over the decades, it has introduced generations to educational content through beloved characters like Big Bird, Elmo, and Cookie Monster.

But have you ever wondered who owns Sesame Street, its characters, and intellectual property (IP)? In this article, we explore the ownership, licensing, and IP rights of this cultural phenomenon.

History of Sesame Street

Sesame Street premiered on November 10, 1969, created by Joan Ganz Cooney and Lloyd Morrisett through the Children's Television Workshop (CTW), now known as Sesame Workshop. The show was designed to provide educational content for children, combining puppetry, animation, and live-action segments.

Key Points:

Created to improve literacy and numeracy for preschool children
Innovated with puppetry (Jim Henson’s Muppets) and engaging storytelling
Expanded into global programming and media licensing

Explore Sesame Street toys collection

Ownership of Sesame Street

The Sesame Street brand and intellectual property are owned by Sesame Workshop, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educational content for children. The organization manages licensing agreements, character rights, and the production of Sesame Street episodes and associated media.

Key Points About Ownership:

Sesame Workshop: Owns the rights to the Sesame Street brand and characters
Licensing: Grants rights to toy manufacturers, books, and educational products
International Adaptations: Sesame Street content is adapted for local markets under license agreements

Intellectual Property Rights

Sesame Street characters, scripts, and images are protected under copyright and trademark laws. This ensures that the intellectual property (IP) cannot be used without permission.

Character IP Examples:

Big Bird
Elmo
Cookie Monster
Oscar the Grouch
Bert and Ernie

Merchandising:

Licensed toys (Blokees, Fisher-Price, Playskool)
Clothing and books
Educational software and apps

Licensing Agreements and Toy Rights

Sesame Workshop licenses its IP to various toy manufacturers to create Sesame Street toys, plush toys, and educational kits.

Examples of Licensed Toys:

Blokees Sesame Street preCOOL Series
Fisher-Price Sesame Street toys
Sesame Street toys at Walmart

Benefits of Licensing:

Maintains brand integrity
Provides revenue for educational programming
Expands reach to new audiences and collectors

Who Performs the Characters?

The iconic Muppets of Sesame Street are performed by puppeteers, originally Jim Henson and his team. Today, new puppeteers continue to bring the characters to life under the direction of Sesame Workshop.

Famous Performers:

Caroll Spinney (Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch)
Kevin Clash (Elmo)
Frank Oz (Cookie Monster, Bert)

Global Adaptations and Ownership

Sesame Street is adapted internationally while retaining IP control through licensing agreements. Countries like Mexico, India, and South Africa have local versions, featuring culturally relevant content while using licensed characters.

Impact of Licensing:

Local adaptations maintain educational focus
Revenue supports Sesame Workshop’s global mission
Intellectual property protection ensures consistency and safety for children

Sesame Street Merchandising

The brand’s reach extends into educational toys, books, and apparel. Merchandising is a key source of revenue, allowing Sesame Workshop to continue funding educational programming.

Educational Mission and Licensing

Sesame Workshop’s nonprofit mission ensures that all IP use aligns with educational goals. Licensing agreements often require that toys and products support literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional learning.

Educational Toys Examples:

Preschool learning toys
Sesame Street toys for toddlers
Interactive educational kits

Who Controls Online and Media Rights?

Sesame Workshop manages digital content through online platforms and streaming services. Rights include:

Streaming episodes on PBS Kids and HBO Max
YouTube content
Digital educational apps

This control ensures safe, age-appropriate content worldwide.

How Sesame Workshop Protects Its Intellectual Property

Sesame Workshop actively safeguards the Sesame Street brand to ensure it is used appropriately and maintains its educational mission.
Protection Methods:

Copyrights: Scripts, episode footage, and character designs are legally protected.
Trademarks: Character names, logos, and slogans (like “C is for Cookie”) are trademarked.
Licensing Agreements: Only approved partners can produce toys, books, and media.
Legal Enforcement: Unauthorized use of characters or branding can lead to legal action to protect the brand’s integrity.

Revenue and Funding Through Licensing

Licensing Sesame Street characters is a significant revenue stream that supports the nonprofit’s educational programs.
How Licensing Helps:

Funds new content creation, including TV episodes and digital learning tools
Supports international educational initiatives and outreach programs
Enables partnerships with educational toy companies like Blokees and Fisher-Price
Promotes literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional learning through approved products

Famous Licensed Sesame Street Products

Sesame Workshop has partnered with various manufacturers to bring characters to life through high-quality merchandise.
Popular Licensed Products Include:

Plush Toys: Big Bird, Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Abby Cadabby
Educational Kits: Counting, alphabet, and STEM learning sets
Action and Blokees Assembling Toys: Poseable toys for creative play
Books and Media: Storybooks, DVDs, and interactive digital apps
Clothing & Accessories: Backpacks, lunchboxes, and apparel featuring licensed characters

Collaborations with Streaming and Media Platforms

Sesame Workshop also controls digital rights, ensuring safe and age-appropriate content across platforms.
Key Platforms Include:

PBS Kids: Streaming full episodes and educational clips
HBO Max/Max: Library of episodes and specials
YouTube: Official Sesame Street channel featuring short videos, songs, and educational content
Apps and Games: Interactive learning apps for tablets and smartphones
This centralized control ensures global consistency and maintains the brand’s educational focus.

Future of Sesame Street Ownership and Licensing

Sesame Workshop continues to evolve its licensing strategy to adapt to changing media and consumer trends.
Looking Ahead:

Expansion of digital content, including mobile apps and online learning resources
New global licensing deals to increase international reach
Partnerships with toy companies to create innovative educational products
Continued focus on maintaining the integrity, educational goals, and safety of the Sesame Street brand

Frequently Asked Questions

Answer: Sesame Street is owned by Sesame Workshop, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educational programming for children.

Who owns the characters of Sesame Street?

Answer: Sesame Workshop owns the intellectual property rights to all characters, including Big Bird, Elmo, and Cookie Monster.

Who created Sesame Street?

Answer: Sesame Street was created by Joan Ganz Cooney and Lloyd Morrisett in 1969.

Can anyone use Sesame Street characters?

Answer: No. All characters are protected by copyright and trademark laws. Use requires licensing agreements with Sesame Workshop.

Where can I buy official Sesame Street toys?

Answer: Official Sesame Street toys can be purchased from Blokees Sesame Street Collection, Fisher-Price, Walmart, and other licensed retailers.

Conclusion

Sesame Street’s ownership and IP rights are tightly controlled by Sesame Workshop, ensuring the integrity and educational value of this beloved brand.

From iconic characters to licensed toys, the brand continues to delight and educate children worldwide. Licensing agreements, merchandising, and global adaptations all serve to protect the IP while promoting learning.