A moose trek across Sweden pulls in millions of viewers looking for 'Slow TV'

Npr - Apr 25th, 2025

The Great Moose Migration in Sweden captivates millions of viewers globally through a unique 'slow TV' event broadcast by SVT, the country's public broadcasting service. This annual 24-hour livestream follows the journey of moose migrating from Bothnian Bay to the mountains near the Sweden-Norway border. Starting in late April and lasting till late May, the migration involves 300 to 500 moose traveling up to 56 miles. The event has grown in popularity since its debut in 2019, with over 9 million people tuning in last year. The program offers an unedited view of nature, with occasional sightings of moose alongside other wildlife, drawing parallels to a sporting event for many fans.

The concept of 'slow TV,' inspired by similar productions from Norway's NRK, emphasizes a full, unfiltered experience that mirrors reality, encouraging viewers to find interest in both mundane and exciting moments. This format fosters a sense of community among viewers, as they collectively witness the moose's journey. The migration is influenced by environmental factors like climate and human developments, such as roads and hydroelectric power facilities. The success of the program highlights a growing interest in authentic, leisurely-paced content that contrasts the fast-paced nature of conventional media.

Sweden Wildlife Migration Slow Tv Svt Great Moose Migration Johan Erhag Stefan Edlund Thomas Hellum Moose

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.6

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides an engaging and informative look at the 'Great Moose Migration' in Sweden, capturing the essence of this unique cultural event and its appeal as a 'slow TV' program. It scores highly in dimensions such as accuracy, clarity, and readability, thanks to its use of credible sources, clear language, and logical structure. The article effectively highlights the cultural significance and growing popularity of the migration event, making it timely and relevant.

However, the article's impact and potential for controversy are limited, as it primarily focuses on a niche topic without delving deeply into broader environmental or societal issues. While it maintains a balanced perspective, it could benefit from exploring a wider range of viewpoints, particularly those that might challenge the mainstream narrative.

Overall, the article successfully captures public interest and engages readers with a well-written and visually appealing story, though it could enhance its impact by addressing more universal themes or issues related to wildlife conservation and media trends.

Accuracy

The news story about the 'Great Moose Migration' in Sweden is largely accurate, with most claims being verifiable and supported by reliable sources. The story correctly identifies the event as a 'slow TV' program aired by SVT, Sweden's public broadcasting service, since 2019. It accurately describes the nature of the program, including the focus on moose migration and the use of multiple camera angles to capture the journey.

The viewership numbers are a key point that requires verification. The story claims that more than nine million people watched the program globally last year, which is a substantial increase from the initial one million viewers in 2019. This claim is supported by the executive producer's expectations for higher viewership this year, though exact numbers would benefit from further corroboration.

The article provides a detailed explanation of the moose migration patterns, including distances traveled and the influence of climate and human infrastructure. These claims are consistent with expert insights from Göran Ericsson, dean of forest sciences at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.

Overall, the article presents a high degree of factual accuracy, although some claims, particularly those related to viewership statistics, could be further substantiated with additional data.

Balance

The article maintains a fairly balanced perspective, focusing primarily on the cultural and ecological aspects of the 'Great Moose Migration.' It presents viewpoints from various individuals, including experts like Göran Ericsson and producers Johan Erhag and Stefan Edlund. This diversity of perspectives helps provide a comprehensive understanding of the event.

However, the article could benefit from including more critical viewpoints, such as potential environmental concerns related to the event's popularity or the impact of human activity on moose migration patterns. While it does mention the influence of roads and hydroelectric power facilities, these points are not deeply explored.

Overall, the article does a good job of presenting a balanced view of the migration event, though it could enhance its coverage by including a broader range of perspectives, particularly those that might challenge the mainstream narrative.

Clarity

The article is well-written and clear, with a logical structure that guides the reader through the various aspects of the 'Great Moose Migration.' It effectively balances descriptive language with factual information, making the content both engaging and informative.

The use of direct quotes and expert insights helps break up the narrative and provides clarity to complex topics, such as moose migration patterns and the concept of 'slow TV.' The article also employs a neutral tone, avoiding sensationalism and allowing the facts to speak for themselves.

While the article is generally clear, some sections could benefit from additional context or explanation, particularly those discussing the impact of human infrastructure on moose migration. Providing more background information in these areas would enhance reader understanding.

Source quality

The article relies on credible sources, including direct quotes from Göran Ericsson, a recognized expert in forest sciences, and Johan Erhag, the executive producer of the 'Great Moose Migration' program. These sources lend authority and reliability to the information presented, particularly regarding the migration patterns and the program's development.

The inclusion of insights from Thomas Hellum, a producer at NRK who pioneered 'slow TV,' adds further depth and credibility, as it helps contextualize the phenomenon within a broader media trend. The article also references the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, an authoritative institution, to support claims about moose behavior and migration.

While the sources used are credible, the article could increase its reliability by including additional data or statistics from independent studies or reports, particularly concerning viewership numbers and environmental impacts.

Transparency

The article provides a reasonable level of transparency, clearly outlining the basis for its claims and the sources of its information. It effectively attributes quotes and insights to specific individuals, such as Göran Ericsson and Johan Erhag, which helps readers understand the origin of the information.

However, the article could be more transparent in explaining the methodology behind certain claims, such as the viewership statistics. While it cites expectations from an executive producer, it does not specify how these numbers were calculated or verified.

Overall, while the article is generally transparent in its reporting, it could enhance its credibility by providing more detailed explanations of the methodologies behind its claims, particularly those related to viewership and environmental impacts.