Mind-Numbing TV Shows Are A Hit In Norway
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or
Flash plugin.
Copyright 2024 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
Boring TV is such a hit in the Scandinavian nation of Norway that broadcasters are scrambling to produce even more shows to satisfy the appetites of viewers. One idea being considered is a live show with knitting experts, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Transcript
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "A SUMMER PLACE")
DAVID GREENE, HOST:
Well, that sounds appropriate because our Last Word In Business today is boring television. Boring to us, at least, but a big hit in the Scandinavian country Norway - so much so that broadcasters are scrambling to produce even more potentially mind-numbing shows to whet the appetites of viewers.
(SOUNDBITE OF FERRY)
GREENE: Yes, that is the sound of a ferry as it makes its way around Norway's majestic coastline. Just a snippet of 134-hour, live broadcast; 2.5 million people - half of Norway's population - tuned in to watch.
Now NRK, Norway's biggest broadcaster, wants more.The Wall Street Journal reports that one idea being considered is a live show with knitting experts. Another is a 24-hour program that follows construction workers as they build a digital-style clock out of wood, racing against time to change digits for each passing minutes.
An NRK programming executive says the potential for boring TV seems unlimited, noting that some viewers complained about a recent, 18-hour live show of salmon spawning upstream - saying it felt way too short. I think we need to send Norway some episodes of "Real Housewives of New Jersey."
That's the business news on MORNING EDITION, from NPR News. I'm David Greene. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
View this story on npr.org
Follow us for more stories like this
CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you. As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.
Donate Today