Ulitsa Sezam Ulitsa Sezam ( Улица Сезам ) is the Russian co - production of " Sesame Street " . The series first aired on October 22 , 1996 . Sesame Workshop description . " Russian children and their families have been enjoying Ulitsa Sezam since it began airing in 1996 . This educational and engaging series is composed of curriculum goals developed by Russian educators and writers . The series includes regionally diverse original material produced and filmed in Russia , as well as segments from the Sesame Street International Library . The Ulitsa Sezam set features a Russian courtyard surrounded by homes and stores that are populated by both Ulitsa Sezam Muppets ( puppet characters ) and human characters . " " Ulitsa Sezam has been successfully produced and aired in Russia since 1996 with sponsorship from USAID , the Soros Foundation , and the Nestlé Corporation with support from the Russian Ministry of Education . Three seasons and a total of 156 30 - minute episodes have been produced to date . The show currently airs on NTV . " " Ulitsa Sezam engages preschoolers to learn about the lives and interests of people from a variety of cultures and backgrounds , including their own . The show incorporates a uniquely innovative educational curriculum created by Russian educators and child development experts . Its current focus is on good nutrition , health and well being , and diversity . " History . Debut Era : 1996 . The series debuted in October 22 , 1996 on TV channels NTV and ORT and was entitled " Life in an open society . " The Muppet characters include : a seven - foot tall Dvorovoi ( spirit ) named Zeliboba and two monsters , Businka and Kubik . Second run : 1999 . The second season on " optimism " was filmed in 1999 and broadcast on NTV and STS . Third run : 2003 . Filming the third season , the main theme was " Diversity in the world . " The program was broadcast on television channel STS . In the third season , famous celebrities appeared on the show : Actors Leo Durov and Mary Aronov , composer Grigory Gladkov , and opera singer Vyacheslav Voynorovsky . Fourth run : 2006 . In 2006 , the show celebrates its 10 anniversary . Filming of the new fourth season took place in the spring of 2006 in the pavilions " Mosfilm " . The premiere of the new season was broadcast on STS channel in September 2006 . The city yard set is re - vamped to reflect a more realistic depiction of modern - day urban Russia . An intact oak tree grows in the center of this courtyard , and windows from surrounding houses face each other so neighbors can pop their heads out of windows to greet one another . The set also includes a creative art center and a playground with an urban backdrop of buildings that was made grittier , a bit grey , with Khrushchev - style buildings in the background . Businka and Kubik ' s rooms change into a two - story house with a balcony . New cast members include Yamila and Altin , who are two sisters , recently arrived in Russia from Kazakhstan . The show also tackled the issue of adoption by introducing a young boy named Kolya who was adopted by Aunt Dinara and her husband , Uncle Jura . Season 4 also introduce a new recurring segment inspired by Prairie Dawn ’ s art show from " Play with Me Sesame " where Businka shows artwork done by kids . Famous celebrities include TV presenter Tina Kandelaki , actress Olga Prokofiev ( " My Fair Nanny " ) and Ekaterina Guseva , Vladimir Turchinsky ( Dynamo Moscow ) , Natasha Podolsk , Varvara , Vladimir Asimov , a children ' s group " Fidget " . External links . _ _ NOWYSIWYG _ _