Dutch PM wades into Sesame Street row

A mini storm has broken out in the Netherlands ruffling some feathers amid plans to move popular children's programme "Sesame Street" away from its regular early evening slot.

But Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who declared he's a fan of the show known as "Sesamstraat," backed public broadcaster NPO's decision.

"Sesamstraat" with its cast of characters such as Pino (a blue Big Bird) and Tommie has been running in the Netherlands since 1976.

After its German cousin, it is the second longest foreign language version of the popular American children's show which in the decades since its launch in 1969 has been franchised around the world.

About 20,000 young Dutch children eagerly tune in most nights, Dutch media reported.

But late Thursday NPO revealed that from January 1 the evening show would move across to the less popular digital Zapp Xtra channel.

The decision swiftly prompted angry reactions, and the launch of a Facebook campaign "Sesamstraat moet blivjen" (Sesame Street must stay).

But NPO head Frans Klein shot back that the protests were mainly spurred by nostalgic parents harking back to their childhood nightly routine of watching the show at home.

"They are just sad to see familiar things change," he said.

Revealing his favourite characters were Bert and Ernie, Rutte told his weekly Friday press conference that it was NPO's decision and parents would soon adapt to finding the show on a new channel.

He also revealed his favourite scene as a child was when Bert and Ernie cut up a pie, with Ernie taking the biggest slice knowing that Bert would have given it to him anyway.

"I have such conversations often with the Labour Party and think of that scene," he told reporters with a smile, referring to his coalition partner in the government.

Even in the United States, "Sesame Street" has been hit by changes when this autumn after 45 years on US public television it was moved to the pay TV channel HBO.

With its foreign language international versions, the program is said to reach more than 156 million children across 150-plus countries.

Industry experts said its move to HBO in the US reflected changing viewing habits, with more and more children watching the show on demand and not at its scheduled broadcast time.