SESAME TREE BRANCHES OUT TO CBEEBIES

Potto, Claribelle, and Hilda (Sesame Tree)

Belfast, Northern Ireland, and New York, NY, July 21, 2008
CBeebies is set to debut Sesame Tree, Northern Ireland’s version of Sesame Street. The locally produced program, shown on BBC Two Northern Ireland, can be seen beginning on BBC Two from Monday 21st July and on CBeebies Channel from Monday 4^th August 2008.

Sesame Tree was co-produced by Belfast-based production company Sixteen South, part of the Inferno Group, and Sesame Workshop, the non profitorganization behind Sesame Street. It features characters specially created and developed for audiences in Northern Ireland and brought to life by local performers.

Aligned to the revised Northern Ireland Statutory Curriculum, Sesame Tree presents engaging educational messages through stories and characters. Each episode features Muppets, Potto and Hilda on an adventure filled with laughter and learning. The duo answer questions on the many topics posed by children and introduce local live action films that showcase the diversity of Northern Ireland and cover different themes such as ‘sharing’ and ‘patience’.

Peter Johnston, Controller BBC Northern Ireland said, “This is a very exciting new opportunity for UK viewers to see Sesame Tree programs over the summer holidays. Broadcasting the programs on CBeebies will enable children around the UK to share in the experience of children from all around Northern Ireland. Sesame Tree is a very entertaining and engaging series for children linking in to the Northern Ireland Curriculum, and supported by the Sesame Tree website bbc.co.uk/sesametree.”

Gary E. Knell, President and CEO of Sesame Workshop said: “Sesame Tree has been a fantastic project to work on and we are so proud that the series has been selected for CBeebies. The images we share and the stories we tell have the potential to extend far beyond the television screen to become a valuable resource for children growing up today throughout the entire UK.”

Colin Williams, Executive Producer said: “We are very excited about Sesame Tree appearing on CBeebies. We are very proud of the series and it was an honor to work with our friends at Sesame Workshop, and amazingly talented local writers, performers and production staff. The series is beautifully rich in local culture and current with the Northern Ireland Curriculum as well as being entertaining for parents and children!”

Notes to Editors

Sesame Tree is currently shown on BBC Two Northern Ireland Saturdays and Sundays at 6.45am and Tuesdays at 2.15pm.

Contact

Sarah Young/Jenny Greenaway
Smarts Belfast                                               
028 9039 5500           
Jenny.greenaway@smarts.co.uk