Wild Nature

A unique project broadcasting live footage of moose in Sweden is captivating audiences and offering a surprising benefit to the animals themselves. A specially designed “doorbell” system, developed by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (Naturvårdsverket), is protecting fish populations by preventing them from becoming trapped in a hydroelectric power plant’s intake.

The Rise of ‘Slow TV’

The phenomenon, known as “slow television” or “slow TV,” involves extended, real-time coverage of events. This unconventional broadcasting style has gained traction as a counterpoint to the fast-paced nature of modern media.

The concept originated in 2009 with Norway’s national broadcaster, Norsk Rikskringkasting (NRK), which aired a seven-hour train journey from Oslo to Bergen. The broadcast, initially intended as a quirky experiment, unexpectedly drew a large viewership-over 1.2 million viewers in a country of just over 5 million.

At its core, Slow TV prioritizes the experience of time and transition over traditional narrative structures. As Scandinavian Standard explains, “There is no editing or script, as it’s built around transition and movement rather of tension and plot.”

Media and communications professor Annette Hill of Jönköping University in Sweden notes that while Slow TV shares roots with reality television, its lack of staging and manipulation lends it a sense of authenticity that resonates with viewers. She points to the genre’s ability to offer a respite from the curated and often sensationalized content prevalent in mainstream media.

The appeal of Slow TV extends beyond mere relaxation. The live moose broadcast, hosted by Swedish Television (SVT), utilizes an app that sends push notifications when moose appear on camera. This feature fosters a sense of community, with thousands of viewers together tuning in to observe and discuss the animals. Viewership spikes dramatically with each alert, creating a shared experience among participants.

The project’s team reports that the extended observation periods have even reduced stress levels among those involved in the moose production. The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency’s “doorbell” system, consisting of acoustic deterrents and visual cues, has been shown to effectively guide fish away from the intake of the hydroelectric plant in the Gullspång River, protecting species like bream, pike, and bass. The system, now in its fifth year, has garnered millions of views online.