One might argue that TikTok is detrimental to our attention spans, yet global audiences are captivated by a repetitive livestream from a lesser-known Swedish television station: the Great Moose Migration.

For millennia, moose have traversed the Ångerman River annually in spring, migrating towards a more temperate summer territory. However, since 2019, a global audience can witness this three-week event as Sweden's SVT broadcaster live-streams the migration online, employing more than 30 cameras to capture the intricate, unhurried progression.

Mostly, the livestream shows calm pictures of forests and rivers. If you are lucky, you might see a moose walking by, which doesn't know it's famous around the world. It's just a moose, walking slowly without worrying about anything.

Typically, the stream remains largely silent. At other junctures, you might discern the wind's gusts and the birds' chirping. It's a pleasant auditory backdrop, even if you inadvertently leave the livestream tab open on your computer and are startled by the sudden sounds of creatures thousands of miles distant.

As one Swedish student recounted to the Associated Press: "I feel relaxed, yet simultaneously I am apprehensive, thinking, 'Oh, a moose. What if a moose appears? I cannot use the facilities!'"

The livestream persists throughout the night, with night vision cameras ensuring comprehensive visibility of the moose's activities, irrespective of the absence of sunlight.

Last year, SVT's moose live stream garnered 9 million viewers, a noteworthy figure, especially when juxtaposed with the Discovery Channel's Shark Week, which attracted over 22 million viewers in 2023. Considering SVT's comparatively modest operation, featuring live nature feeds and a 15-person team, this viewership stands as a rather impressive achievement.

The captivating nature of this type of livestream stems from its stark contrast with the typical online content we encounter. While platforms like TikTok curate brief, highly personalized videos designed to maintain our attention, and YouTubers meticulously refine their content for sustained engagement, these livestreams offer a distinct departure.

However, the moose seek nothing from us; they remain unaware of our presence and encouragement.