Warner Music Group’s Arts Music division and Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind the iconic children’s show Sesame Street, have teamed up to re-launch Sesame Street Records in the United States and Canada. As a result of the multi-year deal, a deep catalog of beloved Sesame Street recordings is now available across digital streaming and download platforms, with brand-new compilation titles on CD and vinyl formats.
Arts Music’s plans for the revitalized imprint include: never-before-released music from current and past seasons of Sesame Street, including appearances by pop stars and other notable celebrities; new thematic compilations aligned with educational topics featured in current and upcoming seasons of Sesame Street; and new cover songs and parodies that originate outside of the TV show. New titles featuring these songs will debut in early 2019.
“Sesame Street and music have had a long-standing harmony that began nearly 50 years ago. I’m thrilled this partnership with Sesame Workshop is our first initiative for Arts Music in the kids’ music space,” said Kevin Gore, President of Warner Music’s Arts Music division. “I watched the first episode, owned their first album, shared this music with my kids, and I can’t think of a better brand or mission as our foundation in this space.”
“Music has always been a vital way for audiences to connect with Sesame Street as we work toward our mission of helping kids everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder,” said Steve Youngwood, Sesame Workshop’s President of Media & Education and Chief Operating Officer. “In Arts Music, we’ve found a passionate and forward-thinking partner who understands what our timeless songs mean to generations of families.”
The partnership marks the first time in more than twenty years that new music from Sesame Street will be made available to the public under a consistent schedule of releases. The label will curate the extensive catalog into new thematic CD, vinyl, download and streaming series for an entirely new generation of listeners. First will be the “Letters” series that debuted on September 21, followed by the “All-Time Favorites” series and a new holiday compilation in November.
“Kids connect to the magic of these songs immediately. They’re songs about letters and numbers, and so much more: friendship, community, joy and heart,” said Andrea Craig, Vice President Product Development, Creative & Operations for Warner Music Group’s Arts Music division.
“This new partnership continues the almost 50-year-old legacy of combining music and the Muppets of Sesame Street to create uniquely fun learning experiences,” said Jennifer A. Perry, Sesame Workshop’s Vice President and Publisher, North America Media Products. “We are excited to work with Arts Music to take Sesame Street Records into the future with new and classic songs, which will help kids learn and families wiggle and giggle for years to come.”
