Sesame Workshop, the non profit educational organization behind Sesame Street, is pleased to announce that Sesame Street’s ratings soared nearly 60 percent in February 2010 versus February 2009[1]. In an effort to reinvent itself each year, Sesame Street, which airs on PBS KIDS GO!, unveiled it’s 40th anniversary season with a new look, new show format, new curriculum and new cutting-edge animations designed to meet the educational needs of today’s children as well as address their changing viewing habits. Sesame Street has not only garnered favor among preschoolers and caregivers with its new look and feel, the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences recently honored the series with 14 Emmy Award nominations.
Research also indicates that:
- Sesame Street was rated THE NUMBER ONE favorite show of preschoolers[2].
- Sesame Street’s 40th season is not only resonating with preschoolers; 54 percent of moms of viewers feel Sesame Street is on its way up[3].
- Sesame Street continues to maintain its core audience of 2 year-olds, while the series shows an increase in 3 year-old viewership by 21 percent and an increase in 4 year-old viewership by 32 percent over last season[4].
Sesame Street, with 122 Emmy Awards under its feathers, has received more Emmys than any other show in history and last year was the recipient of the 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award. This year, Sesame Street has garnered 14 Emmy Nominations which include: Outstanding Pre-School Children’s Series, Outstanding Writing In A Children’s Series, Outstanding Performer In A Children’s Series, Outstanding Directing In A Children’s Series, Outstanding Achievement In Main Title And Graphic Design, Outstanding Achievement In Multiple Camera Editing, Outstanding Original Song – Children’s And Animation, Outstanding Achievement In Technical Direction / Electronic Camera / Video Control, Outstanding Achievement In Costume Design / Styling. In addition, Sesame Street has already been honored with this year’s Emmy award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation for “Abby’s Flying Fairy School.”
“We are thrilled that kids and caregivers have responded so favorably to the new changes we made to Sesame Street,” says Carol-Lynn Parente, Executive Producer. “Each year our goal is to educate and engage children with exciting new content, and we are so happy that Sesame Street continues to be relevant and competitive in a constantly changing media landscape.”
Season 40 of Sesame Street is funded in part by a grant through the Public Broadcasting Service and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and public television viewers. Sesame Street is underwritten in part by the Beaches Family Resorts, PNC, Earth’s Best Organic and The Good Egg Project.
Visit Sesame Street at:
The Sesame Street YouTube Channel
Sesame Street’s 40th Season Press Kit
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About Sesame Workshop
Sesame Workshop is the nonprofit educational organization that revolutionized children’s television programming with the landmark Sesame Street. The Workshop produces local Sesame Street programs, seen in over 140 countries, and other acclaimed shows to help bridge the literacy gap including The Electric Company. Beyond television, the Workshop produces content for multiple media platforms on a wide range of issues including literacy, health and military deployment. Initiatives meet specific needs to help young children and families develop critical skills, acquire healthy habits and build emotional strength to prepare them for lifelong learning. Learn more at www.sesameworkshop.org.