Norwegians Love ‘Slow TV’

Norwegian public television (NRK), which introduced the now-legendary continuous, live log-burning show (12 hours long, with “color commentary” on the historical and cultural importance of fire), scheduled a new program for this week in its appeal to serenity (labeled “Slow TV”). On Nov. 1, NRK is to televise live, for five hours, an attempt to break the world record for producing a sweater, from shearing the sheep to spinning the wool and knitting the garment (current record: 4:51, by Australians). In addition to the burning log, NRK viewers have been treated to live cams on a salmon-fishing boat and, for five days, on a cruise ship.) “You would think it’s boring television,” an NRK journalist said, “but we have quite good ratings for these programs.”