WarnerMedia Kids & Family and Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization behind Sesame Street, have announced the next phase of their growing content partnership. “Sesame Street Mecha Builders,” the first of many new Sesame Workshop originals for WarnerMedia's Cartoonito preschool programming block, is set to debut on HBO Max and Cartoon Network in early May. More animated series and specials, including newly greenlit family miniseries, “Charlotte's Web,” upcoming preschool shows, “Bea's Block” and a Sesame Street-themed reimagining of “The Nutcracker,” are also set to debut this year. 

“Sesame Street Mecha Builders” reimagines Elmo, Cookie Monster and Abby Cadabby as robot heroes in training who use their STEM superpowers to solve wacky larger-than-life problems. Animated in 3D style, the series will help older preschoolers practice foundational critical thinking skills. The first five episodes will air on Cartoonito on Cartoon Network on Monday, May 9, hitting HBO Max the following day. Launching later in the year also on Cartoonito, “Bea's Block” will introduce viewers to a new world where diverse wooden block characters – Bea and her friends – tumble, stack and roll their way through adventures. Both series will include fully integrated educational curricula and music. 

"Our relationship with Sesame Workshop is critical in ensuring that we have an ongoing lineup of content that parents find unquestionably safe, educational and entertaining for their kids to enjoy," says Tom Ascheim, president, Warner Bros. Global Kids, Young Adults and Classics. "The new and classic properties we're developing together have just the right multigenerational appeal to resonate with parents and children alike, with fresh music and characters offering some surprises along the way." 

"Building on Sesame Workshop's legacy of innovation in the children's entertainment space, we're thrilled to continue partnering with WarnerMedia Kids & Family as they build an industry-leading library of both preschool and family-focused content," says Steve Youngwood, chief executive officer, Sesame Workshop. "From brand-new adventures to reimagined classics, everything we create at Sesame Workshop is bursting with the kinds of compelling characters and storylines that today's kids love, built on a solid educational framework that parents can trust – perfect for creating new family traditions." 

Looking ahead, “Sesame Street: The Nutcracker” is an animated special that follows Elmo and his new puppy, Tango, on a holiday adventure. The special will populate the holiday story with kids' favorite Sesame Street characters, blending new and classic music for all ages. The special will premiere during this year’s holiday season. Production on “Charlotte's Web,” an animated family miniseries based on the classic children's book by E.B. White, will begin in the coming weeks.