Indiantelevision.com's Kidology: Channel i to air Bangladeshi version of Sesame Street
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Indiantelevision.com's Kidology
 
 
Channel i to air Bangladeshi version of Sesame Street
 
Indiantelevision.com Team
(4 March 2008 7:30 pm)
 

MUMBAI: Bangla-speaking children in the Middle East, the United Kingdom and North America now have the opportunity to meet the beloved Muppets from Sisimpur, the award-winning Bangladeshi adaptation of Sesame Street.

The first season of Sisimpur, consisting of 52 half-hour episodes, now broadcasts internationally on cable Channel i on Saturdays at 6 pm and Sundays at 4:45 am Bangladesh time (equivalent to Saturdays at 7 am and Sundays at 5:45 pm New York time).

Sisimpur is designed to meet the needs of 3- to 6-year-old Bangladeshi children across social classes and living in different regions. The program's educational objectives are developed in collaboration with Bangladeshi educational advisors and outline a range of skills that advisors deemed particularly important to children in Bangladesh. Sisimpur embraces the concept of joy in learning, highlighting lessons in literacy and numeracy, as well as health and respect in ways that are fun and engaging.

"We are elated to extend the incredible, educational adventures in Sisimpur to Bangla-speaking children around the world through Channel i- providing them with a program that is educational, engaging and culturally-relevant," said Nayantara Communications project head Sara Zaker.

"Sisimpur's popularity and impact has grown more rapidly than we ever could have dreamed, and with Channel i's support, will continue to flourish and encourage more children than ever to reach their highest potential," added Zaker.

Subscribers to Channel i in these regions now have the opportunity to meet Halum, a tiger who enjoys playing and laughing, even when things go wrong; Shiku, a curious jackal who comes from a long line of clever family members; Tuktuki, an extroverted 5-year-old girl who enjoys being helpful but is usually doing ten things at once; and Ikri Mikri, an affectionate 3-year-old who tries to do things by herself but doesn't always succeed.

A recent national survey of over 7,000 children in Bangladesh revealed evidence of the program's positive impact: Children who watched Sisimpur regularly demonstrated basic literacy and math skills that were equivalent to children who were one year older and had no exposure to Sisimpur, stated an official release.

Previously, Sisimpur aired solely in Bangladesh and terrestrial channel Bangladesh Television (BTV). Sisimpur's third season continues to air on BTV.

Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street and Sisimpur, works with Nayantara Communications, who produces Sisimpur in Bangladesh with world renowned puppeteer Mostafa Monwar serving as the series' chief creative advisor. Sisimpur is sponsored by Unilever's leading health brand, Pepsodent, and receives generous support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
 
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