Sesame Workshop announces two Chinese series for American audiences

Starting this week, Sesame Workshop is bringing two Mandarin-language programs to American viewers: The Chinese-produced Sesame Street's Big Bird Looks at the World, and a new series, Fun Fun Elmo. Both will premiere on SinoVision, a Chinese-language broadcaster serving New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Long Island and sections of Pennsylvania.

Sesame Street’s Big Bird Looks at the World focuses on children’s curiosity about nature and science. Episodes explore questions from the Muppet characters: “Where does the sun go at night?” “What are seashells?” The series, developed in China, first debuted in December 2010 on the HaHa Channel from Shanghai Toonmax Media, and on national broadcaster CCTV's Children’s Channel. 

Fun Fun Elmo introduces viewers to Mandarin through animation and live action shot in China. Segments follow local children to encourage Mandarin language exposure, with each episode introducing a Chinese tone, word and stroke order for writing characters.

H. Melvin Ming, president of Sesame Workshop, said the content is "the first step in the Workshop’s developing language-learning initiative in the U.S. as we continue to address the diverse needs of our young fans.”