AWARD-WINNING CHILDREN’S PROGRAM ALAM SIMSIM TO DEBUT ON FUTURE TV WITH ENGAGING REGIONAL CONTENT
Beirut, Lebanon, November 9, 2005
Aimed at serving the preschoolers in the Middle East with engaging educational content, leading Arab satellite station Future TV, nonprofit educational organization Sesame Workshop, and Cairo-based producer Alkarma Edutainment are together launching the award-winning children’s series Alam Simsim on Future TV. Announced today at a press conference in Beirut, Lebanon, the series will begin airing daily on November 12th. Alam Simsim will reach an estimated 280 million viewers teaching children basic literacy and numeracy skills, and encouraging them to develop positive self-esteem and celebrate the rich cultural diversity of the Arab world.
For the new broadcast, Alam Simsim, which first debuted in Egypt in August 2000, has been dubbed into simple classical Arabic and features new regional live action films illustrating children’s every day lives and activities from Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates. Films from additional Arab countries will be incorporated in future seasons to reflect the region’s diversity. Alam Simsim characters include: Khokha, a four-year-old girl with a passion for learning; Nimnim, a big, but gentle character who loves nature; and Filfil, a “Mr. Know-it-all,” who has all the answers even though he may not know what the questions are.
The 20-episode, half-hour series has an innovative curriculum created by local educators, child development experts, scriptwriters, and film makers that encourages laughter and learning through endearing characters, reality-based films, animation segments and catchy musical tunes. Alam Simsim’s educational goals aim to promote and encourage the development of:
- girls’ education and empowerment;
- basic literacy and numeracy skills;
- environmental awareness and caring for the environment;
- health and hygiene;
- critical thinking skills;
- road safety and safety in the home; and
- respect and understanding of others.
“We are proud to partner on Alam Simsim,” said. Tarek Ayntrazi, Future TV General Manager. “The program carries a noble mission of educating the future generation and broadening the scope of their knowledge. This is in synch with our vision as one of the leading Arab broadcasters. Our strategy is to provide the Arab world with responsible entertaining programs that are in line with the social fabric of the region. By responsible, we mean programs that promote positive social values of equality, freedom and democracy. Our message to the young generation is that of tolerance, advocating positive change and a relentless focus on education as a path towards a brighter future.”
“We have a unique opportunity to make a tremendous difference in the lives of children throughout this broad region,” said Gary E. Knell, President and CEO, Sesame Workshop. “Media, and TV specifically, have proven highly effective in magnifying reach and expanding access to populations by eliminating geographic, poverty, and gender barriers. Alam Simsim provides valuable tools to children in developing new perspectives about themselves and those who share their heritage.”
“Alam Simsim is no longer just a television program,” said Amr Koura, CEO, Alkarma Edutainment. “It has become a way of life, an integral piece of the fabric of Egyptian society. With the immense success of both the television and the outreach program, parents are relying more than ever on Alam Simsim to educate their children and help prepare them for a better future. We are hoping to emulate this success in the region with the new Pan Arab version addressing a broader range of educational goals to promote positive social change throughout the whole region.”
First launched in Lebanon on February 15, 1993, Future TV, although the youngest of the Lebanese stations back then, became the nation’s fastest growing station. Supported by a large capital, advanced technology, wide coverage and an excellent image quality, Future TV triggered competition on all fronts in the Lebanese TV market. In less than a year, Future TV grew to become one of the leading Arab satellite stations gathering the highest audience ratings in the Gulf, Egypt and the Levant. Ever since, Future TV has been an 18 hour open window to Lebanon for the Arab world, North Africa, and South Europe.
Formed by a dynamic group of professionals with extensive experience in advertising, commercial and public service announcement productions, Alkarma Edutainment is on the cutting edge of innovation and creativity in edutainment. Alkarma Edutainment is a fully integrated media service provider, offering expertise in all aspects of the media. With over 20 years experience in top-end TV programming and commercials development and production, and extensive know-how in content development, Alkarma Edutainment has developed from a local service provider to a well-established and highly regarded regional integrated service provider.
Sesame Workshop, a nonprofit organization, has a proud history of serving the needs of children and their families since its flagship program Sesame Street premiered in the U.S. in 1969. The international adaptation of Sesame Street began in the 1970s, with Iftah Ya Simsim, the first Sesame Street co-production in Arabic, debuting in Kuwait in 1979. Today, localized versions of Sesame Street are produced and seen in Palestine, Jordan, Egypt, and Afghanistan.
Contact
Lina Majzoub
Future TV
961 1 355355, x412
LinaM@future.com.lb
Shereen El Meligi
Alkarma Edutainment
Beirut20 2 761 8756, Cairo
smeligi@alkarma.com
