Plaza Sésamo Plaza Sésamo is the Latin American co - production of " Sesame Street " . Premiering in November 1972 and co - produced with Televisa , the series initially featured a mixed cast of Panamanian , Argentine , and mostly Mexican performers , featured " neutral Spanish " , and was meant for kids up to 8 years old . It aired at 2 : 30 pm on Canal 2 . As the years progressed , the series more explicitly reflected Mexico , where the show is shot ; in addition to airing in Mexico , Puerto Rico , and throughout Spanish - speaking Latin America , the series debuted on PBS on April 3 , 1995 , broadcast primarily in Southwest markets on Saturday mornings . The program is also seen on UniMás . It is the only " Sesame Street " co - production that can be widely seen in the United States . The series was discontinued in 2016 and all material produced for the Latin American market was rebranded simply as " Sésamo " . Abelardo once visited his cousin Big Bird on " Sesame Street " in the US in an episode that aired on Cinco de Mayo . The series was a regional semi - finalist for the 2006 International Emmy Awards , up against " 5 , Rue Sésame " , another co - production of Sesame Street . Episodes from 1997 to 2006 have been available on PBS Kids Sprout ' s on - demand service . A number of episodes from season 9 are available for purchase from The iTunes Store . Addtionally , episodes from Season 9 up to 12 are available on Hulu . Sesame Workshop description . " Plaza Sésamo premiered in Mexico and Latin America in 1972 . The acclaimed Spanish - language television series for preschool children depicts a colorful neighborhood , the Plaza , which is home to a mix of families , children , and Muppets . Like its counterpart , Sesame Street , the show intertwines animation , live action films , studio segments and original music videos that teach basic literacy and numeracy and help children gain a better understanding of the world around them . In 2003 , Plaza Sésamo celebrated its 30th anniversary . Three decades after launching in Mexico and Latin America the series continues to educate and delight children through its television broadcast and in other media , including ; books , videos , toys , and a Plaza Sésamo theme park in Monterrey , Mexico . " " In 2006 , the first of three exciting new seasons of Plaza Sésamo will air on Televisa , Discovery Kids Latin America , Univision Puerto Rico , and TeleFutura . Additionally , Sesame Workshop will distribute the show throughout the Latin American marketplace and the US Hispanic marketplace . The new episodes of Plaza Sésamo will see the return of Abelardo , Lola , and Pancho , as well as favorites Elmo , Cookie Monster , Bert , and Ernie . Regional live action films , produced by local producers from throughout Latin America , will highlight the rich cultural diversity of the region . In addition , ten new 60 - minute Plaza Sésamo home video titles , including a holiday special , will be produced along with seasons 9 , 10 and 11 . " History . Debut Era : 1972 - 1973 . The series debuted in November of 1972 . The cast consisted of Panamanian , Argentinian , and mostly Mexican performers and featured " neutral Spanish . " The original series also featured two Muppet characters , Abelardo and a small grouchy green parrot called Paco . The set of the street was turn into a plaza that would be a typical city block in Central or South America with a center fountain , benches , vacant lot with playground equipment , houses , a combination grocery store - cafe , and mechanic ' s repair shop . The curriculum for this season was to teach whole " slight words " that children can learn through repetition and memorization . The show also taught children about hygiene and the importance of cleanliness . First revamping : 1981 . The series was re - vamped in the early 80 ' s . The improved series got rid of the early resident Muppet and replaced them with Montoya ( Parrot ) and a brown grouch named Bodoque . While the first era lasted for two seasons , this era only lasted for only one season . In 1993 , the first series of " Plaza Sésamo " videos were released , featruing new stories with Montoya and Bodoque . Second Revamping : 1995 - 2001 . During this time , Bodoque was taken out of the show and in his place were two new characters , Lola , an energetic female monster who speaks in the third person , and Pancho Contreras , a grouchy monster who ' s always busy . Montoya was also renamed Abelardo ( But , he kept the name Montoya for his last name ) and his dopey personality became more playful and childlike . New cast members were also added , some of which continue to appear to this day , including Don Boni and La Abuela . It was also during this period that the new Anything Muppet - type characters , the Multimuppet and Multimonstruo were added , allowing many new recurring characters . This version also added the current Plaza Sesamo theme which would be modified in later seasons . " Mercado " Era : 2005 - present . During the planning for new episodes of the show in 2003 , the researchers of Latin America felt the set could use a re - vamping so it could be something all kids in Latin America could relate to . The set designers created a set based on a " mercado " , small marketplaces that are plentiful in Latin America . The new set also used bright vivid colors like typical mercados and bright lights to reflect the bright , Mexican sun . The set debuted in season 9 in 2005 . Season 9 also brought new recurring segments used at the program ' s start or end . " Lola Aventuras " was introduced as a way to encourage girls to be active and productive ( as well as attracting a male audience also ) . Other sketches include " Hazlo Tu Mismo " and " Los Monstruos También Lloran , which spoofs Telenovas with celebrity guests . As well , a new opening theme was produced , featuring the main Muppet characters ( as well as Elmo and Grover ) in an animated environment , discovering the letters that spell " Plaza Sesamo " . In 2006 , season 10 of the show debuted . The season focused on healthy habits , featuring various plots about food and exercise . Many episodes also ended with a special message from a celebrity and one of the Muppet characters about exercise , eating healthy and other health - related tips . Introduced this season was a family from Argentina that moved to the plaza . However , they debuted late in the season and did not appear after the season . In 2008 , the series celebrated its 35th anniversary . Season 11 debuted that year in March . During this season , several changes were made , including new actors to play La Abuela and Daniela . As well , a new Lavender Multimuppet as added to the cast . Abby Cadabby also was added to the show , appearing at the start of some episodes in three - part sketches where she performs a magic trick with an ordinary object . Two new recurring segments debuted also : A brief segment that is shown shortly after the first scene where one of the main Muppet characters introduces the letter of the day , and " Pancho Visión " , a daily segment in which Pancho Contreas presents a film about his friends all over the world . Season 12 of the show debuted in October 2009 with the main curriculum of . A new actor for Manuel appears . The " mercado " was again revamped in season 13 ( which debuted in late September 2010 ) , and new Muppet character Gaby was added . In 2011 , Season 14 debuted in August and featured Elmo as a new character on the plaza and a new Muppet character , Camilo , who is in a wheelchair . Javier Williams , producer of the broadcast , says about the new muppet character , " We made it important that working with this Telethon , from the ages of 3 or 4 years will leave a small message that no matter where a child is in a wheelchair , is still like any other . " New cast members were also added including Rafel and Natalia , the first Argentinean couple . The curriculum will focus on diversity of places , customs , and conditions . Guest Stars include Maite Perroni from RBD and Juanes who will appeared in a " Word of the Day " segment . 2012 celebrates the 40th anniversary of the show . For Season 15 , 52 new episodes debuting in December 2013 , the street scenes move to RCN Colombia . The new Muppets are " tech - savvy friends " Chip ( owner of Café Clic ) and Gina , and human cast additions were Luisa and Martin . In addition to the existing health , diversity , and literacy themes , the season added a focus on math . Cast . " Muppet Cast in the 70s : " " Muppet Cast in the 80s : " " Muppet Cast 2005 : " " Muppet Cast 2009 : " " Muppet Cast 2010 : " " Muppet Cast 2011 : " " Human Cast in the 70s : " " Human Cast in the 80s : " " Human Cast now : "