The first international co-production of Sesame Street was Plaza Sésamo.
Plaza Sésamo is the Mexican-originated, Spanish-language version created for audiences across Latin America. It debuted in Mexico in 1972 after the Children’s Television Workshop began developing localized versions of Sesame Street with broadcasters and educators outside the United States.
Unlike a simple dubbed broadcast, Plaza Sésamo combined adapted American segments with original material made in Mexico. Local producers, writers, performers, and researchers shaped its curriculum around regional educational priorities, including problem-solving, health, nutrition, cooperation, and respect for human diversity. The show’s setting was a neighborhood plaza, a familiar public space in many Latin American communities.
The other options are real international adaptations, but they came later or served different language regions. Vila Sésamo is the Brazilian Portuguese co-production, Barrio Sésamo is associated with Spain, and Rua Sésamo is the Portuguese version. Plaza Sésamo was the pioneering international co-production and first aired in 1972.