Sesame Street extends to Ireland again
Sesame Tree, a version of Sesame Street made entirely in Northern Ireland, will return to TV screens on 22nd November 2010 with a brand new series, which will also reach the whole of the UK via CBeebies.
The second series of the show will bring back the residents of the Sesame Tree, Hilda and Potto and introduces Archie, (short for Archimedes) a young squirrel who loves maths. Sesame Tree combines educational value and entertainment through a series of mini-documentaries which show contemporary life in Northern Ireland through the eyes of local children and hilarious Muppet action inside the Tree.
Aligned with the Northern Ireland Statutory Curriculum, Sesame Tree aims to present positive images to children of themselves and others and to emphasise the importance of valuing diversity and becoming aware of our common humanity. The TV series, which will be broadcast on CBeebies, also aims to help those working with young children in Northern Ireland to encourage personal and mutual understanding.
Sesame Tree is produced by Sixteen South Television, a Belfast based production company, and Sesame Workshop, the not-for-profit organisation behind Sesame Street. The project is funded by the International Fund for Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen.
Sixteen South’s founder and Sesame Tree’s Executive Producer Colin Williams said: “Following the success of Sesame Tree’s first series on BBC Northern Ireland, we’re delighted that our second series has been acquired by and produced for CBeebies.
“Bringing this second series to life has been a lot of fun! The show is rooted in Sesame Street’s approach to producing compelling educational content which helps children to learn and reach their full potential – along with great humour, wonderful new music and the sheer entertainment provided by our Muppet characters.
“I’m thrilled that Sesame Tree, which was made for and by the people of Northern Ireland has been taken by CBeebies for broadcast to the whole of the UK. The programme continues to show contemporary life here in Northern Ireland and addresses issues such as respecting differences, sharing and dealing with new experiences such as going to school for the first time - things that are really important for young children not just in Northern Ireland but everywhere”
Sesame Tree’s content was developed in consultation with education experts and practitioners from Northern Ireland’s early years’ community. The TV series will be supported by educational outreach materials for the Foundation Stage and a website –bbc.co.uk/sesametree – which has been developed by BBC NI Learning.
Sesame Tree will be broadcast from 22nd November on CBeebies at 10.40am. The series includes 20 x 14 minute episodes. Educational materials to support the series will be distributed to schools in Northern Ireland in early 2011.
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