Say goodbye to breathless intrigue and dramatic twists: Slow TV is attracting record audiences in Norway, with hours, even days, devoted to knitting and panoramic landscapes.

Public broadcaster NRK (Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation) has replaced some of its usual prime-time entertainment with lingering images of cruise liners touring fjords and hours of crackling log fires.

This snail-paced entertainment has become something of a Norwegian speciality.

"It's literally reality TV, something authentic that's shown in real time without being edited down," said Rune Moeklebust, head of programming­ at NRK.

The concept was pioneered in 2009, coinciding with the centenary of the Bergen railway line. The route passes through breathtaking scenery, connecting Norway's second city with the capital Oslo.

The train trip - all 7 hours and 16 minutes of it - was filmed with onboard cameras and archive footage was added to fill in some of the duller moments as the train passed through long tunnels.

About 1.2 million viewers, nearly a quarter of the country's population, tuned in for at least part of the trip.

AFP