Beyond The Screen: Multilayered Restoration, Well-Being, and Shared Immersion in a Swedish Slow-TV Nature Broadcast

As nature is increasingly encountered on screens, we examine how an unscripted slow-TV wildlife livestream, Den Stora Älgvandringen (The Great Moose Migration, DSÄ), supports restoration, well-being, and human–nature connection. In 2024 we fielded an online survey (N = 2,011) and combined reflexive thematic analysis with logistic regressions on theme mentions. Seven themes emerged: Unpredictability/Live, Sensory Immersion, Format Appreciation, Calmness, Authenticity & Realness, Social Engagement, and Well-Being. Viewers described folding DSÄ into daily routines for micro-restoration and companionship; high-fidelity soundscapes and unedited visuals underpinned immersion, while live chat and shared rituals fostered communal co-presence. Modelling indicated modest demographic and attitudinal correlations of theme mentions (e.g., age, access to nature, environmental concern), consistent with multifactorial social phenomena. Together, the findings suggest that slow-TV nature cultivates attentional ease, perceived authenticity, and shared meaning-making that complement direct nature contact. We outline design principles for digital nature content that preserves ecological integrity, supports slow attention, and enables inclusive access.