John K. Mayo

THE TRANSFER OF SESAME STREET TO LATIN AMERICA

Here a package of communication technologies, embodied in Sesame Street (a tremendously popular and effective childrens TV series) is traced during its transfer from the United States to Mexico and Brazil. The Mexican and Brazilian programs attracted huge audiences of children and adults throughout Latin America, yet the coproductions of Plaza Sésamo and Vila Sésamo ceased after only two or three seasons, and little long-range effect is discernible today in Latin American childrens television. Explanations for the short-run success and long-run failure of the transfer of Sesame Street to Latin America can be found in the nature of the supplier-receiver relationships, and in the emphasis on product transfer rather than process modification and adjustment.

Commercial satellite telecommunications and national development: Lessons from Peru☆

Abstract This article summarizes the major development lessons and issues derived from an evaluation of the Rural Communication Services Project conducted in Peru from June 1982 to February 1987. The evaluation aimed to provide development planners and donor agency officials with credible information concerning the impact and costs of commercial satellite telecommunications, emphasizing telephone and teleconferencing services in remote rural areas.