Every year, millions tune in to watch Sweden’s annual moose migration. Last year, nine million people watched as the animals swim across the Angerman River, a remote and scenic location 187 miles northwest of Stockholm.
The event is broadcast live on Swedish national broadcaster SVT, with a 20-day stream that began a week early due to warm weather. While some might expect an exciting spectacle, fans praise the slow-paced nature of the event, saying it’s part of its charm.
Experts say the format has roots in reality TV but feels more authentic as unstaged productions allow viewers to relax and enjoy the journey. “Nothing catastrophic is happening,” says Annette Hill, a professor at Jonkoping University. “But something very beautiful is happening in that minute-by-minute moment.”
With up to 15 staff members working behind the scenes, the event has become cost-effective, with over 500 hours of footage produced last year. The moose migration route is well-known to the crew, who lay out nearly 12 miles of cable and position remote cameras along a 26-mile stretch.
The event has grown in popularity over the years, from nearly a million viewers in its first year to nine million last year. As Ulla Malmgren, a dedicated fan, puts it: “I don’t sleep during the moose migration. It’s become my favorite part of spring.”
Source: https://news.sky.com/story/millions-tune-in-to-see-swedens-annual-moose-migration-13349847