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'''Sesame Workshop, Inc.''' ('''SW'''), originally known as the '''Children's Television Workshop, Inc.''' ('''CTW'''), is an American [[nonprofit organization]] that has been responsible for the production of several educational children's programs—including its first and best-known, ''[[Sesame Street]]''—that
''Sesame Street'' premiered on [[National Educational Television]] (NET) as a series run in the United States on November 10, 1969, and moved to NET's successor, the Public Broadcasting Service ([[PBS]]), in late 1970. The Workshop was formally incorporated in 1970. [[Gerald S. Lesser]] and [[Edward L. Palmer]] were hired to perform research for the series; they were responsible for developing a system of planning, production, and evaluation, and the interaction between television producers and educators, later termed the "CTW model". The CTW applied this system to its other television series, including ''[[The Electric Company]]'' and ''[[3-2-1 Contact]]''. The early 1980s were a challenging period for the Workshop; difficulty finding audiences for their other productions and a series of bad investments harmed the organization until licensing agreements stabilized its revenues by 1985.
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In 2000, profits earned from the Noggin deal, along with the revenue caused partly by the "Tickle Me Elmo" craze, enabled the CTW to purchase [[The Jim Henson Company]]'s rights to the ''Sesame Street'' Muppets from the German media company [[EM.TV]], which had acquired Henson earlier that year. The transaction, valued at $180 million, also included a small interest Henson had in the Noggin cable channel.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sesame Workshop gains character control from EM.TV |url=https://muppetcentral.com/news/2000/120400.shtml |access-date=21 November 2019 |work=Muppet Central News |date=4 December 2000 |archive-date=17 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190817180444/https://muppetcentral.com/news/2000/120400.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> Gary Knell stated, "Everyone, most especially the puppeteers, were thrilled that we were able to bring them home. It protected ''Sesame Street'' and allowed our international expansion to continue. Owning these characters has allowed us to maximize their potential. We are now in control of our own destiny".<ref>Davis, p. 348</ref>
The CTW changed its name to Sesame Workshop in June 2000, to better represent its non-television activities and interactive media.<ref>{{cite news |title=CTW Changes Name to Sesame Workshop |url=https://muppetcentral.com/news/2000/060500.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191121222001/https://muppetcentral.com/news/2000/060500.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 November 2019 |access-date=21 November 2019 |work=Muppet Central News |agency=Reuters |date=5 June 2000}}</ref> Also in 2000, Gary Knell succeeded Britt as president and CEO of the Workshop; according to Davis, he "presided over an especially fertile period in the nonprofit's history".<ref name="davis-345">Davis, p. 345</ref> Under Knell's management, Sesame Workshop produced a variety of original shows for Noggin. The first was an interactive game show called ''[[Sponk!]]'', which was meant to model good collaboration and teamwork skills.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sesameworkshop.org/programs/sponk|title=Sponk!|date=June 8, 2011|website=SesameWorkshop.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608011042/http://www.sesameworkshop.org/programs/sponk |archive-date=2011-06-08 }}</ref> Sesame Workshop also co-produced a ''Sesame Street'' spin-off, ''[[Play with Me Sesame]]'', for Noggin.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://kidscreen.com/2002/01/03/noggin-20020103/|title=Noggin has tween educon on the brain|work=[[Kidscreen]]|date=January 3, 2002|last=Connell|first=Mike}}</ref> In April 2002,
In August 2002, Sesame Workshop sold its 50% share of Noggin to Viacom.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sesame Workshop sells its stake in Noggin cable network |url=http://current.org/files/archive-site/ch/ch0216noggin.html |date=September 2, 2002 |last=Everhart |first=Karen |work=Current.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402191348/http://current.org/files/archive-site/ch/ch0216noggin.html |archive-date=April 2, 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Jeffrey D. Dunn Named Chief of Sesame Workshop |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/09/business/media/jeffrey-d-dunn-named-chief-of-sesame-workshop.html?_r=0 |date=September 8, 2014 |last=Jensen |first=Elizabeth |work=[[The New York Times]] }}</ref> The buyout was partially caused by SW's need to pay off debt.<ref>{{cite news |title=JV Is for VC: Sesame Street Creator Launches $10 Million Venture Fund for Child Development |url=https://www.edsurge.com/news/2016-02-01-v-is-for-vc-sesame-street-creator-launches-10-million-venture-fund-for-child-development |date=February 1, 2016 |last=Wan |first=Tony |work=[[EdSurge]]}}</ref> Sesame Workshop remained involved with the network's programming, as Viacom entered a multi-year production deal with Sesame Workshop shortly after the split and continued to broadcast the company's shows.<ref>{{cite news |title=Nickelodeon Buys Out Noggin; Enters Into Production Deal With Sesame Workshop |url=http://www.awn.com/news/nickelodeon-buys-out-noggin-enters-production-deal-sesame-workshop |last=Godfrey |first=Leigh |date=August 9, 2002 |work=[[Animation World Network]]}}</ref> The last collaboration between Noggin and Sesame Workshop was ''[[The Upside Down Show]]'', which premiered in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tvweek.com/in-depth/2005/12/noggin-orders-upside-down/|title=Noggin Orders 'Upside Down'|work=[[TVWeek]]|date=December 6, 2005}}</ref>
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In 2007, the Sesame Workshop founded [[The Joan Ganz Cooney Center]], an independent, non-profit organization that studies how to improve children's literacy by using and developing digital technologies "grounded in detailed educational curriculum", just as was done during the development of ''Sesame Street''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jensen |first1=Elizabeth |title=Institute Named for 'Sesame' Creator |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/06/arts/television/06sesa.html?_r=3 |access-date=21 November 2019 |work=The New York Times |date=6 December 2007 |archive-date=21 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621064927/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/06/arts/television/06sesa.html?_r=3 |url-status=live }}</ref>
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The 2008–2009 recession, which resulted in budget reductions for many nonprofit arts organizations, severely affected the organization; in 2009, it had to dismiss 20% of its staff.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Guernsey |first1=Lisa |title=How Sesame Street Changed the World |url=https://www.newsweek.com/how-sesame-street-changed-world-80067 |access-date=22 November 2019 |work=Newsweek |date=22 May 2009 |archive-date=10 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210010326/https://www.newsweek.com/how-sesame-street-changed-world-80067 |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite earning about $100 million from licensing revenue, royalties, and foundation and government funding in 2012, the Workshop's total revenue was down 15% and its operating loss doubled to $24.3 million. In 2013, it responded by dismissing 10% of its staff, saying that it was necessary to "strategically focus" their resources because of "today's rapidly changing digital environment".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Isidore |first1=Chris |title=Layoffs hit Sesame Street |url=https://money.cnn.com/2013/06/26/news/companies/sesame-street-layoff/ |access-date=22 November 2019 |work=CNN Money. |date=26 June 2013 |archive-date=23 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191123005027/https://money.cnn.com/2013/06/26/news/companies/sesame-street-layoff/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2011, Knell left Sesame Workshop to become the chief executive of [[NPR|National Public Radio]] (NPR).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kahana |first1=Menahem |title=Gary Knell named chief of NPR |url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/media/story/2011-10-02/npr-new-ceo/50637472/1 |access-date=22 November 2019 |work=USA Today |date=2 October 2011 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305064833/http://www.usatoday.com/money/media/story/2011-10-02/npr-new-ceo/50637472/1 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[H. Melvin Ming]], who had been the organization's chief financial officer since 1999 and chief operating officer since 2002, was named as his replacement.<ref>{{cite press release |last=Westin |first= Sherrie |date= 3 October 2011 |title= Sesame Workshop Appoints H. Melvin Ming as President and CEO |url=http://www.sesameworkshop.org/newsandevents/pressreleaes/mel_ming_ceo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111226173204/http://www.sesameworkshop.org/newsandevents/pressreleaes/mel_ming_ceo |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 December 2011 |location= New York |publisher= Sesame Workshop |access-date= 22 November 2019}}</ref> In 2014, H. Melvin Ming retired and was succeeded by former HIT Entertainment and Nickelodeon executive [[Jeffrey D. Dunn|Jeffery D. Dunn]]. Dunn's appointment was the first time someone not affiliated with CTW or Sesame Workshop became its manager, although he had associations with the organization previously.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Jensen|first1=Elizabeth|title=Jeffrey D. Dunn Named Chief of Sesame Workshop|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/09/business/media/jeffrey-d-dunn-named-chief-of-sesame-workshop.html?_r=1|access-date=22 November 2019|work=The New York Times|date=8 September 2014|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308233517/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/09/business/media/jeffrey-d-dunn-named-chief-of-sesame-workshop.html?_r=1|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2021, Dunn retired and was replaced by [[Sherrie Rollins Westin]], who had served as president of SW's Social Impact and Philanthropy Division for six years.<ref>{{cite press release |last1=Fishman |first1= Lizzie |last2=Greenberg| first2= Courtney |date= 27 October 2020 |title= Sesame Workshop Announces Leadership Transition, Effective January 1, 2021 |url= https://www.sesameworkshop.org/press-room/press-releases/sesame-workshop-announces-leadership-transition-effective-january-1-2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417015333/https://www.sesameworkshop.org/press-room/press-releases/sesame-workshop-announces-leadership-transition-effective-january-1-2021 |archive-date=17 April 2021 |location= New York |publisher= Sesame Workshop |access-date= 1 January 2022}}</ref>
In 2019, ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' reported that Sesame Workshop's operating income was approximately $1.6 million, after the majority of its funds earned from grants, licensing deals, and royalties went back into its content, its total operating costs were over $100 million per year. Operating costs included salaries, $6 million in rent for its [[Lincoln Center]] corporate offices, its production facilities in Queens, and the costs of producing content for its YouTube channels and other outlets. The organization employed about 400 people, including "several highly skilled puppeteers". Royalties and distribution fees, which accounted for $52.9 million in 2018, made up the Workshop's biggest revenue source. Donations brought in $47.8 million, or 31 percent of its income. Licensing revenue from games, toys, and clothing earned the organization $4.5 million.<ref name="guthrie2">{{cite news |last1=Guthrie |first1=Marisa |title=Where 'Sesame Street' Gets Its Funding — and How It Nearly Went Broke |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sesame-street-gets-funding-how-it-went-broke-1183032 |access-date=20 April 2019 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=6 February 2019 |archive-date=18 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418223110/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sesame-street-gets-funding-how-it-went-broke-1183032 |url-status=live }}</ref>
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