PBS Plans Shorter Version of 'Sesame Street'

[mvcg66b3r]

After 45 years as an hourlong show, PBS will add a half-hour afternoon version of Sesame Street this fall to meet increased competition for preschoolers.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/18/b...t-in-bid-for-more-viewers.html?ref=media&_r=0

 

[onairb]

Hmm...we now need a separate 'non-Elmo' version of the show, because God forbid they could just reduce Elmo's screen time on the original show?

 

[crainbebo]

I'm shocked, after all these years, Sesame Street isn't just called "The Elmo Show." Because that is how this show has changed in the past 20 years or so - characters like Ernie, Bert, Big Bird and the live-action characters are not the same anymore because Elmo is #1. An annoying red character that should go away.
Why try to make shows like this so annoying for 3 year olds and their parents?

-crainbebo

 

[Mitchell H]

Not to mention introducing an even shorter attention span to kids.

 

[ssetta]

Wow, I'm surprised someone posted about this before me. I was shocked when I heard about this too. I actually have mixed feelings about it. It will be nice to see the show on twice a day again. Years and years ago, I think almost every single PBS station had SS on at least once in the afternoon. But I think this half-hour version is only going to feature the elements of the show appealing to older kids. However, there are a few PBS stations that still air SS in the afternoon, so I wonder if they'll replace it with this.

 

[crainbebo]

Used to be loads and loads of stations airing Big Bird and the gang after school. All that morning/early PM time was taken up by instructional/ITV programming! I think WUSF in Tampa still airs Sesame Street right before primetime!