For the first time ever, Sesame Street fans living in the U.S. can instantly enjoy free episodes of original international co-productions of the beloved television program exclusively on Amazon Video On Demand.
Press Release from Sesame Workshop
(New York, NY)— The longest street in the world just built a new bridge that spans from your laptop to 12 other countries! For the first time ever, Sesame Street fans living in the U.S. can instantly enjoy free episodes of original international co-productions of the beloved television program exclusively on Amazon Video On Demand. Beginning today, Amazon customers can watch individual episodes of award-winning international Sesame Street co-productions, in their entirety, and get a taste of Sesame Street content, characters and their cultures around the world.
Highlights of programs that will be available on Amazon Video On Demand include:
* Takalani Sesame from South Africa, featuring Kami, the world’s first HIV-positive Muppet. Kami’s role is to help promote age-appropriate messages concerning the humanization, de-stigmatization and acceptance of people living with HIV, and encourage open discussion about coping with illness and loss;
* Sesame Tree from Northern Ireland, encouraging children to explore and appreciate the world around them, and promoting respect and understanding of self and others;
* Galli Galli Sim Sim from India, emphasizing the vibrant cultural heritage of children living in-country; and
* Alam SimSim from Egypt, educating and promoting the importance for young girls to develop a positive self image and positive self esteem.
With Amazon Video On Demand, viewers can also instantly watch co-productions from Bangladesh, Brazil, Indonesia, Israel, Jordan, Kosovo, Palestine and Russia. This partnership furthers Sesame Workshop’s mission to present children with engaging and educational messages through the power of multi-media platforms.
“Sesame Street’s international success originates from the organization’s model of collaborating with local producers and educators to design a television experience that satisfies the distinct desires and educational needs of a region,” said Scott Chambers, Sesame Workshop’s Senior Vice President of Worldwide Media Distribution. “Cultural appreciation creates a foundation for positive learning, and we are thrilled to work with Amazon to make this content available to families within the U.S.”
International co-productions of Sesame Street have garnered a variety of prestigious awards including Hugo awards, the Japan Prize, the CINE Golden Eagle, and many honors at the World Media Festival. Much like Sesame Street in the United States, the international co-productions are culturally distinct and feature their own Muppets, sets and unique storylines. These productions are designed by local experts in early childhood development, thereby ensuring that each curriculum meets the needs of pre-school aged children throughout the country. Topics addressed include reading, mathematics, health, diversity and family, and segments include singing, dancing and humor to engage children in the learning process.
Sesame Workshop is the nonprofit educational organization that revolutionized children’s television programming with the landmark Sesame Street. The Workshop produces local Sesame Street programs, seen in over 140 countries, and other acclaimed shows to help bridge the literacy gap including The Electric Company. Beyond television, the Workshop produces content for multiple media platforms on a wide range of issues including literacy, health and military deployment. Initiatives meet specific needs to help young children and families develop critical skills, acquire healthy habits and build emotional strength to prepare them for lifelong learning. Learn more at www.sesameworkshop.org.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
