Sesame Tree branches out to CBeeBies - 7.21.08

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

Sesame Tree was co-produced by Belfast-based production company Sixteen South, part of the Inferno Group, and Sesame Workshop, the non profit organisation 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 programmes over the summer holidays. Broadcasting the programmes 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 honour 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!”

Sesame Tree will be shown every day beginning 21 July 2008 on BBC Two at 7.45am and from 4 August 2008 on CBeebies Channel at 10.20am. It is available to watch again at bbc.co.uk/iplayer.

Funding for Sesame Tree is provided by The American Ireland Fund, which serves as the project’s anchor sponsor; the International Fund for Ireland, which promotes integration and reconciliation throughout Northern Ireland and the Southern border counties; the Northern Ireland Fund for Reconciliation, which provides support for projects that promote reconciliation through community development and education; and Northern Ireland Screen, which aims to accelerate the development of a dynamic and sustainable screen industry in Northern Ireland.

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

Info
Caitlin McCormick
T - 212-689-3100
E - cmccormick@irlfunds.org