Sesame Street is going to be shortened to just 30 minutes this fall, and honestly, it feels like a huge loss. Starting November 16, PBS will roll out this new version after testing the waters with some shorter episodes. I mean, who are these parents clamoring for less time with one of the most beloved kids’ shows ever? It’s probably those folks who claim their kids only get a half-hour of screen time daily (you know the type).
How Will They Fit It All In?
How on earth are they going to fit in the iconic segments like “What’s the Word on the Street,” “Word of the Day,” “Number of the Day,” and all the other great stuff into just half an hour? Spoiler alert: they can’t. According to Craig Reed, who heads up the audience research at TRAC Media, the shorter version still performs well, but it’s just hard to imagine Sesame Street being anything less than the wonderful hour-long experience it’s always been.
The Impact of Sesame Street
This change comes right after a study highlighted that kids who watch Sesame Street actually perform better in school. Phillip Levine, an economist at Wellesley College, noted that this show could be the most affordable early childhood intervention out there. It’s especially helpful for boys, African-American youth, and children from low-income families. What a downer—first Maria leaves, and now this!
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Conclusion
In summary, Sesame Street is cutting its run time to 30 minutes this fall, much to the disappointment of many fans. Despite positive feedback on shorter episodes, it’s hard to imagine how they’ll fit all the beloved segments into such a brief timeframe. Meanwhile, studies show the show plays a crucial role in early childhood education, particularly for underprivileged kids.