Norway’s Latest Slow TV Hit Is 168 Hours of Migrating Reindeer

When the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) aired uncut footage of a seven-hour train ride in 2009, a phenomenon was born. Since then, the network has broadcast close to a dozen slow TV programs, highlighting such riveting subjects as knitting, salmon fishing, and a slow-burning fire. The latest low-action show from NRK follows a herd of 1000 reindeer on their annual migration in real-time, The Guardian reports.

Reinflytting: Minutt for Minutt premiered Monday, April 24, and so far the momentum has been lagging even by slow TV standards. The female leader of the group was hesitant to get a move on—and once she finally forged ahead, that was only the beginning. The herd will journey 125 miles from Šuoššjávri to Kvaløya across Northern Norway, a total travel time of six to nine days, before reaching its new grazing spot.

To film in such a harsh environment, the NRK crew employed some creative techniques. Because the route isn’t covered by satellites, the team had to set up a mirror rig to redirect their broadcast signals. Video drones and a reindeer named Muzet, who’s been outfitted with camera gear on his head, will also be used to capture some of the more difficult viewpoints.

Whether or not the deer make it to their destination by the end of the week, the program will move off TV after seven days and continue to stream live online. Invested viewers can also follow every painstaking mile of the trek using NRK’s interactive map.

[h/t The Guardian]