Sesame Workshop, through its master licensee for content distribution in South East Asia and Taiwan, Thaole Entertainment, has secured several deals to broadcast a raft of “Sesame Street” programming this year.

First, “Cookies Crumbly Pictures” will be dubbed into Mandarin for Taiwan’s broadcasting channel, YOYO TV. ABS-CBN in the Philippines will carry “Sesame Street” on its Yey Digital Terrestrial channel.  Finally, MCOT in Thailand will broadcast “Elmo the Musical,” “Elmo’s World,” “Sesame Best Friends,” “Sesame Street,” “Super Healthy Monsters” and “Cookie’s Crumbly Pictures,” dubbed into Thai, on its MCOT Family channel.

Additionally, Sesame Workshop has unveiled its first Afghan Muppet, Zari, who will make her debut in the fifth season of “Baghch-e-Simsim,” the local co-production of “Sesame Street.”

Zari, who’s name means shimmering, will be featured in locally produced segments that focus on curriculum topics such as girls’ empowerment, national identity, physical health and social and emotional wellbeing.

Season five of “Baghch-e-Simsim” can be seen on TOLO TV and LEMAR TV in the region.