Sesame Workshop Expands Middle East Activities

NEW YORK, December 11: Sesame Workshop is hailing its strong
presence in the Middle East, with three localized versions of Sesame Street—in Egypt, Jordan and Palestine—slated to
be on the air in 2007.

"Sesame Workshop is involved in a long-term process
that involves capacity building, developing relationships and helping to
contribute to every child's educational future," said Gary E. Knell, the
president and CEO of Sesame Workshop. "While it's impractical to think
that one or even three TV series will solve world issues, we do know the power
of media to effect change. It is through the dedication and vision of our
production partners that we've developed sincerely curious and humorous Muppet
characters who are not unlike the shows' viewers. Children are learning that they can play a role in their own
community and beyond."

Egypt's Alam Simsim,
co-produced with Al Karma Edutainment in Cairo and airing on ETV, will be
celebrating its 10th anniversary next year. The award-winning series goes back
into studio in February for the filming of 60 half-hour episodes. February also
sees the launch of season two of Jordan's Hikayat Simsim, co-produced with Jordan Pioneers and airing on JTV.
In Palestine, Shara'a Simsim,
co-produced with Al Quds University in Ramallah, is slated to air on the ten
channels of the Ma'an Network throughout the West Bank and Gaza. The new season
of Shara'a Simsim begins studio
production this month and continues through January 2007.

Sesame Workshop has been active in the Middle East since
1979, when it launched Iftah Ya Simsim,
the first Sesame Street
co-production in Arabic.