The popular children’s television show, Sesame Street, celebrates its 45 anniversary this week.  It has a record of 4,378 episodes and years of excellence in children’s programming.

The introduction of Sesame Street allowed for a complete reform in the television industry in its entirety. Sesame Street has broken several barriers, including involving hispanic and black children and actors in several episodes of the show, even since the 1950s and 60s. There was also great emphasis on empowering more women to be working in the crew.

Not only has the program been one of the premier shows in television history that has had diversified cast members and audience, but it has also been one of the first shows on television specifically targeted towards children.

Without the birth of this particular show, there wouldn’t have been networks such as PBS kids or Nickelodeon. The show has particularly paved the way for more programming to educate the younger audience, while still entertaining the wide variety of kids out there. Starting with Mister Roger’s Neighborhood, there has been a widespread integration of races and ideas that could be communicated and taught to preschool and primary school students.

One of the initial goals of Sesame Street was to bring about a platform in which there would be great enthusiasm for the program, allowing for the show to educate the children. It’s influence is wide-spread globally as it was the only children’s television show in its time that is branded around the world.

Especially in areas where there are a great number of low-income students, Sesame Street has been able to act as that building block in children’s education when there isn’t a daycare to provide and take care of the children. It has had a particularly significant impact on American culture and society as well, as there was an increase in awareness of social issues pertaining to children such as bullying.

However, do television programs like Sesame Street still pertain to today’s rapidly modernizing society where children watch Disney Channel instead of educational shows with Big Bird and the Grouch?

As the years went on, Sesame Street added a variety of different ways to capture its audience’s attention, such as having appearances from guest celebrities, or having more refined jokes, so that an older audience would be able to understand references made.

Perhaps this show that was ahead of its time at its inception will continue to change the outlook of the children’s television programming as it continues to renew its manner of educating. It will still retain the same goal of calming and cultivating the new generation.