Whether it’s to watch jellyfish drifting hypnotically, storks incubating high in the trees or elk embarking on their seasonal migration toward greener pastures, more and more people are tuning in to watch nature live streams. Also known as Slow TV.
The term, which refers to unnarrated coverage of long events — typically shown in real time — dates back to 2009 when the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) aired a seven-hour train journey.
That long, uneventful rail trip captured the public imagination and inspired unabridged coverage of boat trips, knitting nights and birds feeding. It also marked the birth of a movement that eventually spread to other countries.
Ten years later, the Swedish Television network (SVT) introduced a non-stop three-week livestream called the 'Great Elk Trek', which lives up to its name. Thirty-two cameras deployed in the forests of northern Sweden offer views of serene landscapes, and on rare occasions, an elk crossing a river.
From the outset, nearly 1 million people tuned in to witness the natural sounds and sights of Swedish wildlife. Then last year, the annual livestream drew over 9 million viewers, including a growing number from abroad. It has also spawned an offshoot Facebook group whose 85,000 members engage in lively communication about what is happening on the livestream.
Johan Erhag, project manager for The Great Elk Trek, believes the show's success lies in its contrast to the heady pace of news cycles, social media, and fast-cut TV. "There is calmness, but still excitement over a longer time," he said. "You have time to reflect and relax."
Source: DW
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
