Plaza Sésamo
First international co-production of Sesame Street, airing 1973–2018.
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Plaza Sésamo (English: Sesame Plaza) is the first international co-production of the educational children's television series Sesame Street. It premiered in Mexico in 1973 and aired throughout Latin America, reaching a potential audience of 25 million children in 34 countries. Unlike earlier dubbed versions, Plaza Sésamo was a true co-production, with half of its content adapted from the American show and half created by Mexican writers, performers, and producers.
Lore & Background
The first season consisted of 130 half-hour episodes, shot in Mexico City entirely in Spanish. About half the material was adapted from the American show and dubbed, while the other half was original Mexican content including animation, live-action films, and studio sequences. A Mexican board of advisers, chaired by psychologist Rogelio Diaz-Guerrero, approved all content. The budget for the first season alone was approximately US$1.6 million.
The third season, filmed in 1983, included goals about basic hygiene. The fourth season, filmed in 1995, was broadcast in the U.S., making it the first foreign-language co-production shown there. The last season ended in 2018 during the holiday season and the 50th anniversary of Sesame Street, but the show returned in 2020.
Reader's Guide
Plaza Sésamo holds significance as the first true international co-production of Sesame Street, setting a model for later adaptations worldwide. Its approach—blending half American content with half locally produced material—allowed it to address the educational needs of Latin American children while respecting cultural diversity. Studies after the first season demonstrated a demonstrable impact on educational achievement, with highly significant differences in tests of general knowledge, letters, and numbers among viewers.
Regular viewers made significant gains in cognitive and perceptual areas, even in subjects not taught by the show. The show's legacy includes its role in promoting health and nutrition; in 2009, Sesame Workshop received the 'Champion of Health' award from the Pan American Health Organization for campaigns involving Plaza Sésamo characters. By being the first foreign-language co-production broadcast in the U.S., it also expanded the reach of Sesame Street's educational model across linguistic boundaries.
Did You Know?
- The show's Muppet Abelardo, a giant parrot, was modeled after Big Bird and performed by Justo Martinez.
- Characters from Plaza Sésamo were used in 1973 to promote Mexico's nationwide free vaccination campaign.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Abelardo and Paco in Plaza Sésamo?
Abelardo and Paco are the two original Muppet characters created specifically for the Mexican co-production, distinguishing it from the American lineup. They served as signature puppets of the series and became recognizable figures for Latin American audiences.
Why is Plaza Sésamo considered a milestone in children's television?
It holds the distinction of being the first time Sesame Street was produced as a true international co-production rather than a dubbed or licensed adaptation. This model proved that the format could work with local creative teams and opened the door for later co-productions in other regions.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Plaza Sésamo (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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