The series was co-produced by Belfast-based production company Sixteen South, sister company of the Inferno Group, and the Sesame Workshop, the organisation behind ‘Sesame Street’. ‘Sesame Tree’ kicked off on BBC 2 on 21st July, and airs on the CBeebies Channel from 4th August.
Having been launched earlier this year on the BBC2 NI, ‘Sesame Tree’ is developed in conjunction with the revised Northern Ireland Statutory Curriculum and presents moral and educational messages through the main characters Potto, Claribelle and Hilda. The series was filmed in Blackstaff Studios, Belfast with local puppeteers bringing the characters to life with the help of expert Marty Robinson.
The series includes clips from the American Sesame Street and live film inserts from around Northern Ireland.
"Broadcasting the programmes on CBeebies will enable children around the UK to share in the experience of children from all around Northern Ireland,” said Peter Johnston, Controller BBC Northern Ireland.
"We are very excited about ‘Sesame Tree’ appearing on CBeebies,” said Colin Williams, executive producer on ‘Sesame Tree’.
"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,"
The show received funding from the American Irish Fund and the Northern Ireland Fund for Reconciliation.
’Sesame Tree’ will be shown every day from 21st July on BBC Two at 7.45am and from 4 August on CBeebies Channel at 10.20am.
