CBeebies - Highlights 2010

13/04/10 00:34

Sesame Tree is among CBeebies highlights of 2010:
BBC Press Office - Link

Committed to creating children's television worth watching

17/01/10 16:01

Since SixteenSouth was formed in 2007, we’ve always had a passion for children’s television. In fact, that’s the reason the company was formed.
For the last three years we’ve also been developing factual programme ideas and formats, and while it’s a very exciting area to work in, we want to focus all of our energy and creativity on children’s television.

Many might say, and particularly in the middle of a horrendous recession that diversification is the key to survival.
We don’t agree, and from the 1st of January 2010 we are ceasing all development on factual concepts and focussing on children and family shows - the genre we love, are passionate about and enjoy so much.

We’re so encouraged by our two network wins for CBeebies in the last month and have a slate of brand new ideas that are at various stages of development, and that’s where we’re putting our love, sweat and tears.

To this end, we would prefer not to receive speculative scripts and treatments for documentaries and drama, however we’re more than happy to point anyone in the direction of fabulous factual producers.

Tags: Company News, Press

Sesame Tree - New Season Press Release

06/01/10 15:58

PRESS RELEASE : SESAME TREE GROWS A SECOND SERIES
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 next 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 more fully engage 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.”

Ends

Tags: Sesame Tree, Press

Sesame Tree - Regional Film & Video Editorial

15/01/10 15:56

Tags: Sesame Tree, Press

Sesame Tree - News Letter Editorial

08/01/10 15:54

Tags: Sesame Tree, Press

Sesame Tree - Irish News Educational Editorial

11/01/10 15:52

Tags: Sesame Tree, Press

Sesame Tree - Irish News Editorial

07/01/10 15:49

Tags: Sesame Tree, Press

Sesame Tree - More Press...

16/01/10 15:49

A collection of press articles on the announcement of a second series of Sesame Tree

NI4Kids - Sesame Tree grows a second series
International Fund for Ireland - Sesame Tree grows a second series
Northern Ireland Screen - Sesame Tree grows a second series
ClickSmarts - Sesame Tree grows a second series
4NI - Sesame Tree grows a second series
Sesame Family Robinson - Our Irish Eyes were smiling
The Ireland Funds - Sesame Tree

Tags: Press, Sesame Tree

Lots more press coverage...

20/02/09 22:58

Here is a roundup of a selection of press articles on Sesame Tree...

Another World Radio - Interview with Colin

Muppet Central - Sesame Tree on CBeebies
IFTN - Sesame Tree Wins CINE Golden Eagle
4ni - Sesame Tree Wins CINE Golden Eagle
NI Screen - Sesame Tree Wins CINE Golden Eagle
ClickSmarts - Full Press Release - Sesame Tree Wins CINE Golden Eagle
RuthEBabes - Sesame Tree Blog
ClickSmarts - Sesame Tree goes Back to School with Outreach materials
Alan in Belfast blog - Gerry Adams and his Cookie Monster watch
Another World Radio - Interview with Colin
News Letter - Paul Currie - Acting the Muppet
Potto and Hilda Cookies!
Muppet Central - Sesame Tree
Diamond Primary School - Singing in Sesame Tree
American Ireland Fund - Hilda Hare and Grover visit the conference

Tags: Sesame Tree, NI Screen, CBeebies, Press

The Financial Times

06/04/08 00:53

The US and UK editions of the Financial Times ran this story today which also features on FT.com discussing the impact of Sesame Street worldwide with a focus on today's first airing of Sesame Tree on BBC.

Tags: Press, Sesame Tree

More Interviews

04/04/08 08:58

We've almost lost count of the amount of television, radio and press interviews we have given for Sesame Tree.
Everything from the Financial Times in New York, to broadcast journals and our own local press too.

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