HBO Max faces backlash for removing Sesame Street episodes
3 min read
HBO Max is currently hot waters with social media users after they slammed the streaming platform for removing the episodes from classic Sesame Street.
Here is everything you need to know.
Episodes of Sesame Street removed by HBO Max
Sesame Street is the latest show that is being purged by HBO Max after its parent company Warner Bros. announced its merger with Discovery.
The streaming platform is facing online outrage after fans noticed that around 200 episodes of Sesame Street were missing from the show’s library.
HBO Max originally included 650 episodes of the children’s educational series. However, only 456 episodes of the show are available on the networking site as of the morning of Friday.
Furthermore, they have added a selection from the first, fifth, and seventh seasons of the long-running program.
The platform has already removed over 20 original titles from their platform including teen show Generation and animated series Infinity Train.
HBO Max is removing titles back and forth from its library since it initiated its cost-cutting measure.
The platform is doing this because they no longer want to pay the licensing fees for certain movies and shows.
HBO Max has yanked 200 episodes of 'Sesame Street'https://t.co/OUl02DWLFh
— Gamer Geek (@DataAugmented) August 19, 2022
It's a little jarring to consider what's happening over at HBO Max a bloodbath in the context of Sesame Street, but that's exactly what's going on at the streaming platform right now. The platform has remo
Fans slam HBO Max for removing Sesame Street episodes
Many fans of Sesame Street came forward to defend their favorite show. They took to multiple social media platforms to share their opinions on HBO Max’s recent decision.
The episodes still exist, just not on HBOMax.
— Julie (@juIie_k) August 19, 2022
Prior to streaming, it was standard for on-demand channels, HBO included, to rotate through episodes available for older series. There are over 4600 episodes of Sesame Street and, before today, only 650 were on HBOMax. It’s 450 now.
One fan wrote, ‘It’s a little jarring to consider what’s happening over at a bloodbath in the context of Sesame Street, but that’s exactly what’s going on at the streaming platform right now.’
While another fan mentioned, ‘This was why we threw a tantrum when Sesame Street went to HBO originally. It is a program that should never have been controlled by corporations trying to appeal to stockholders. It was always a pubic good above all.’
You: Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street?
— nam jin woo (@WordsMeanings) August 19, 2022
HBO Max: No https://t.co/gHuiue8BWZ
Moreover, someone noted, ‘Removing Sesame Street is like the book banning in Texas. Sesame Street teaches respect, tolerance, acceptance, and that everyone is equal no matter what their religion, skin color, sexual orientation, etc. this says more about the politics at the head of HBO Max than anything else.’
Meanwhile, few users attempted to calm the outraged Sesame Street fans.
A user suggested, ‘The episodes still exist, just not on HBO Max. Before streaming, it was standard for on-demand channels, HBO included, to rotate through episodes available for older series. There are over 4600 episodes of Sesame Street and, before today, only 650 were on HBO Max. It’s 450 now.’
