Potto, Claribelle + Hilda - Copyright Sesame Workshop

New series of Northern Ireland’s version of Sesame Street to be screened across UK on CBeebies

It has been announced today (6 January 2010) that Sesame Tree, Northern Ireland’s very own version of Sesame Street is to return to TV screens across the UK this year with a second series.

Sesame Tree successfully aired on BBC Northern Ireland last March before being picked up by CBeebies and becoming a firm favourite of young children and their families across the UK.

Co-produced by SixteenSouth Television and Sesame Workshop, the producers behind Sesame Street, Sesame Tree aims to encourage children to explore and appreciate the world around them, promoting respect and understanding through engaging educational messages.

The new series, which is currently in development, has been acquired by CBeebies, and will once again be supported by educational outreach materials and an updated website. The project is being funded by the International Fund for Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen.

Making the announcement Gary E. Knell, President and CEO of Sesame Workshop said: “We are incredibly excited to be continuing with Sesame Tree, and to have this opportunity to further develop this project with our partners in Northern Ireland. Our initial series was just the first step for this project - we believe that Sesame Tree has a great deal more to offer in terms of bringing inspiring, relevant content to this generation of young children in Northern Ireland, and across the whole of the UK.

“Its success to date proves that its combination of engaging characters, humour and real life situations has struck a chord with local children and communities. It also shows that while the experiences of children in Northern Ireland shown in Sesame Tree may be unique, the underlying common themes which they relate to, such as: sharing, respecting difference, trying new experiences and learning about new people are relevant to all children.”

Michael Carrington, Controller, CBeebies said : "CBeebies is delighted to be associated with the Sesame Tree project for Northern Ireland and we are looking forward to working with our partners to help bring a second series and enhanced website to children across the UK." 

Welcoming the news, Sesame Tree’s Executive Producer Colin Williams said: “We are thrilled that the next series of Sesame Tree will be broadcast on CBeebies - it’s a great opportunity to showcase the children and stories of life in Northern Ireland to the rest of the UK.  Sesame Tree remains completely home-grown – written and produced in Northern Ireland by the very best of our local talent.  Viewers of all ages can expect more great stories featuring our Sesame Tree residents, Potto and Hilda, with lots of local humour and short documentaries reflecting life in Northern Ireland through the eyes of a child.”

“The success of Sesame Tree across the UK and the international awards that the show has already won proves that appealing, high quality children’s programming is now made right here in Northern Ireland.”

The new phase of the project will be supported by a Belfast-based Project Manager, Fiona MacMillan, who will be responsible for developing Sesame Tree’s outreach activities and community relations programme.

Welcoming the second series, Fiona said: “The outreach materials launched to support the first series of Sesame Tree are already being used to great effect by teachers and parents across Northern Ireland. However, with the development of this second series, we hope to be able to engage fully with a wider variety of community organisations and partners to extend the reach and impact of Sesame Tree.”

Sesame Tree’s educational content will continue to be aligned to the Northern Ireland Curriculum. 

Funding for this phase of Sesame Tree is provided by the International Fund for Ireland, which promotes integration and reconciliation throughout Northern Ireland and the southern border counties, and Northern Ireland Screen.

Commenting on their support of this project, Denis Rooney CBE, Chairman of the International Fund for Ireland, said: “Through creative, fun and educational story-telling, Sesame Tree shows children, from an early age, the commonalities among young people from Northern Ireland. We are delighted to be supporting the second series, as it fits well with our strategy to fund projects that will have a positive and lasting impact in helping children understand how to learn, live and work together.”

Richard Williams, CEO Northern Ireland Screen, states: “We are delighted to welcome Sesame Workshop back to Northern Ireland to produce the second series of Sesame Tree together with Sixteen South.  We look forward to the making of this extraordinary second series and are sure that it will be as successful as the first.  Northern Ireland Screen is very keen to fund children’s programming as part of our commitment to developing a sustainable and dynamic screen industry in Northern Ireland.”

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