Verizon Wireless Expands Sesame Street Content & Adds Plaza Sesamo to Dedicated Latino Category on V CAST

Verizon Wireless Expands Sesame Street Content & Adds Plaza Sesamo to Dedicated Latino Category on V CAST

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., and NEW YORK, Nov. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless, the nation's leading wireless provider, and Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization, today announced the availability of Plaza Sesamo and the expansion of Sesame Street on Verizon Wireless' V CAST. With this announcement, Verizon Wireless becomes the first wireless carrier in the U.S. to air Plaza Sesamo, the Latin American adaptation of the beloved children's program. Now, with just a few simple clicks, parents and fans can view classic and new video segments from Sesame Street and Plaza Sesamo, through its own dedicated Latino category on the LG VX8300 with a larger roll-out expected in the coming months. Customers with other V CAST-enabled phones can view Plaza Sesamo through the current Sesame Street channel.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20061114/NYTU194 )

Verizon Wireless aims to enable parents the opportunity to provide their children with mobile entertainment that is both culturally relevant and educational. The Plaza Sesamo channel, featuring one new two to three minute segment per day -- 10 in total -- is now available in V CAST's newly launched Latino section. Parents, fans, and those hoping to learn a little Spanish can enjoy watching feathered and furry Muppets Abelardo, Pancho, and Lola, perform songs, skits, and parodies as well as have fun with celebrity guests.

In addition, customers will see an expansion of the Sesame Street channel, which now moves to V CAST's newly created kids' section. Children will have access to more of the segments they love, like Elmo's World, while parents can utilize specially selected "Learning Moments" to reinforce relevant lessons for their kids while on-the-go or away from the television. Topics include:

* Letters and Numbers
* Around the House (Meal time, Brushing teeth, Bath time, Bed time)
* In the Grocery Store (Foods)
* On the Road (Modes of Transportation, Crossing the Street)
* Ready for School

Another new addition, "Sesame Favorites," features memorable moments, songs, and celebrity appearances from the past 37 years that fans of all ages are sure to enjoy.

"We are proud to work with Verizon Wireless, a leader in the wireless telecom industry, to offer parents a new option for sharing Sesame Street and Plaza Sesamo learning and fun with their children that easily fits into their daily routine," said Jeffrey Fleishman, Sesame Workshop's assistant vice president for digital and interactive media. "And we're delighted that fans of all ages, whether they grew up watching Big Bird or Abelardo, Elmo or Pancho, can once again experience their favorite Sesame songs and skits while waiting on line or for a friend."

"I remember watching Sesame Street when I was a child, and my children enjoy watching it today," said Ryan Hughes, director, consumer content programming and business development at Verizon Wireless. "With today's mediums for entertainment constantly changing, we're excited that our relationship with Sesame Workshop allows us to expand our product offerings that educate and entertain today's children, no matter where they are."

When it launched the groundbreaking show Sesame Street in 1969, Sesame Workshop led the way in using media to educate children. Today, the Workshop once again furthers its mission of using media innovation to educate and entertain kids -- and those who are just kids at heart. With Sesame Street and Plaza Sesamo on Verizon Wireless' V CAST, parents can use Sesame Street to educate their kids in places that were not previously possible and older fans can reconnect with the Muppets(TM) from Sesame Street.

To get Sesame Street and Plaza Sesamo, Verizon Wireless customers can equip their LG VX8300 phones with a V CAST VPak subscription for $15.00 monthly access, or $3.00 daily access, added to their Verizon Wireless calling plan. The subscription includes unlimited basic video, but additional fees apply for 3D games and premium video. There are no airtime charges to download, stream or watch V CAST content.

For more information about Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to http://www.verizonwireless.com/.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 56.7 million voice and data customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at http://www.verizonwireless.com/. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at http://www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About Sesame Workshop

Sesame Workshop is a nonprofit educational organization making a meaningful difference in children's lives around the world. Founded in 1968, the Workshop changed television forever with the legendary Sesame Street. Today, the Workshop continues to innovate on behalf of children in 120 countries, using its proprietary research methodology to ensure its programs and products are engaging and enriching. Sesame Workshop is behind award-winning programs like Dragon Tales and Sagwa, The Chinese Siamese Cat and ground breaking multi-media productions in South Africa, Egypt and Russia. These are among many Workshop endeavors recognized for their deep understanding of children's developmental needs and the most effective ways to address them. As a nonprofit, Sesame Workshop puts the proceeds it receives from sales of Sesame Street, Plaza Sesamo, Pinky Dinky Doo, Dragon Tales and Sagwa products right back into its educational projects for children around the world. Find the Workshop online at http://www.sesameworkshop.org/.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20061114/NYTU194
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN8
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Verizon Wireless

CONTACT: Jeffrey Nelson of Verizon Wireless, +1-908-306-4824,
Jeffrey.Nelson@verizonwireless.com; or Beatrice Chow of Sesame Workshop,
+1-212-875-6586, beatrice.chow@sesameworkshop.org

Web site: http://www.verizonwireless.com/
http://www.sesameworkshop.org/

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