It’s dark outside. The news cycle is relentless. But the Finnish national chain has a solution: adorable puppies, available at any time of the day or night.
Yle has attracted millions of people to its website with “Pentulive” – Finnish for “Puppy Live” – a 24/7 live stream of Hilkka, a Lagotto Romagnolo dog, and her brand new litter of puppies as they sleep, play and nurse enthusiastically.
Hilkka gave birth to the two females and four males on October 10. The webcam was turned on shortly after and the puppies will remain in the spotlight until they leave for their new homes in December.
Since puppies need to sleep for up to 20 hours a day, action can be limited, which may explain why “Pentulive,” now in its sixth season, has been called “slow television” — a concept first tested in Norway in 2009 with the Norwegian public broadcaster’s broadcast of a seven-hour train journey.
Nonetheless, viewers who tune in to the anonymous breeder’s home have been promised the chance to witness some of the puppies’ “milestone moments,” according to a Yle press release: from opening their eyes to learning to walk and having their first playtime outside.
Despite Finland’s small population – just under 5.66 million – the “Pentulive” web page had 6.5 million page views last year, according to Yle, and its social media attracted 20 million views. And based on the viewing figures so far, this year’s Puppies looks poised to outperform.
One of the northernmost countries in the world, Finland is preparing to usher in its long and dark winter. Temperatures can drop as low as -50°C (-58°F) and in some parts of the country north of the Arctic Circle the sun does not rise above the horizon for weeks.
So it’s no surprise that residents enjoy a pleasant distraction from the harsh conditions outside.
The puppy cam was first launched in 2021 by Yle science journalist Pirjo Koskinen as part of a series on dog science. She told CNN in an email that the idea was, in part, “to shed light on a dog’s crucial first weeks,” adding: “What happens in the breeder’s home — much like with human children — influences the rest of the dog’s life.” »
Distracting yourself from the harsh reality of everyday life is part of the appeal of “Pentulive,” Koskinen believes. “It’s all about caring, loving and nurturing – all those positive aspects of humanity that are often pushed aside by a constant stream of unpleasant news,” she said.
“‘Puppy Live’ offers comfort and relaxation amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life; it’s a wonderful escape from the human world into a ‘puppy bubble’.”
Sonja Mutanen, a doctoral researcher studying media and animals at the University of Eastern Finland, explained its particular appeal to Finns.
“For many viewers, these live broadcasts are an anticipated highlight of the dark Finnish winter months,” she told CNN. “This type of feel-good content can promote a sense of belonging and emotional well-being, which is important in late fall and winter, when people tend to stay home more.”
Miiamaaria Kujala, assistant professor of comparative cognitive neuroscience at the University of Helsinki, said in an email to CNN that a live stream affects us in a completely different way than the short clips that are now commonplace on social media.
“Live streaming offers something that seems missing in most modern lives: something real, authentic and fragile,” she said. “Pentulive is punctuated by life: it contains very quiet periods and periods of unexpected action. As a live food, it probably provokes more intense emotional responses from observers… but it is also extremely calming to observe a sleeping puppy.”
It also provides a “sense of continuity because it follows the puppies as they age,” she said, adding: “They’re not just random animals, you get to know them individually.” »
This is the second litter for 5-year-old Hilkka, who is currently on leave from her role as “school dog,” where she provides emotional support to students.
So far, the furballs have only been given nicknames by their breeder, but on Saturday they will be officially renamed. The audience will narrow down a selection of names, from which the puppies themselves will “choose” – by sitting in a circle of sealed envelopes and sniffing the one that interests them.
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