iWorld
Sesame Street’s new global playground: Netflix
MUMBAI: Netflix has tossed a lifeline to Sesame Street, bringing the beloved children’s show to its 300 million subscribers while keeping it on PBS in the US. The 56-year-old kids’ favourite will now stream new episodes on both Netflix and PBS on the same day, a rescue move after HBO dropped its funding.
The deal is a double delight for Sesame Street fans—new episodes will be available worldwide on Netflix, while PBS viewers in the US will continue to get free access. But behind the cheerful puppets, it’s a story of survival.
Sesame Workshop, the non-profit behind the iconic show, has been struggling financially after losing its lucrative HBO deal, which paid $30 million to $35 million a year. Warner Bros. Discovery, HBO’s parent, decided to drop the series as it shifts away from children’s content.
To cope with the financial blow, Sesame Workshop laid off 20 per cent of its staff this year and warned that the Netflix deal will bring in significantly less revenue. But it’s not all doom and gloom. With Netflix’s global reach and PBS’s trusted brand, Sesame Street is now set to reach more kids than ever.
In Season 56, the show will focus on character-driven stories, with each episode featuring an 11-minute tale packed with humour and heart. Classic characters like Elmo, Big Bird, and Cookie Monster will return, along with a peek inside the iconic 123 Sesame Street building.
“This unique public-private partnership allows us to continue our mission of educating kids, now with Netflix’s global reach and PBS’s community trust,” said Sesame Workshop CEO Sherrie Rollins Westin.
Sesame Street’s Netflix run will also include 90 hours of classic episodes, bringing the joy of learning to a new generation.
For kids and parents, the message is clear: the street is still where the fun and learning meet.
iWorld
X’s global marketing head Angela Zepeda steps down
Former Hyundai CMO steps down from Elon Musk’s platform
LOS ANGELES: Angela Zepeda has stepped down as head of global marketing at X, bringing her 18-month stint at the social media platform to a close.
The development, which was not formally announced by the company, has surfaced through updates to Zepeda’s LinkedIn profile, indicating that she exited the role in February 2026. Her departure comes at a time when X continues to evolve its brand identity and advertiser relationships following its high-profile rebranding.
Zepeda joined X in September 2024, tasked with shaping global marketing strategy and strengthening the platform’s appeal to brands. Her tenure coincided with a period of transition, as the company worked to redefine its positioning in a competitive and often turbulent social media landscape.
Prior to her role at X, Zepeda held senior leadership positions at Hyundai Motor America, where she served as chief marketing officer for nearly five years. She briefly took on the role of chief creative officer before moving on, marking a notable chapter in her corporate career.
Her résumé spans decades across advertising and marketing, including leadership roles at INNOCEAN USA, where she served as senior vice president and managing director, as well as stints at Quigley-Simpson and Lowe Campbell Ewald. Over the years, she has built a reputation for steering brand strategy and driving business growth across industries.
Neither Zepeda nor X has publicly commented on the move, and her next step remains unclear. Still, her exit adds another twist to the ongoing narrative at X, where leadership shifts have become almost as frequent as timeline refreshes.
