★★★★★ 0/5

Viewers mesmerised by The Ghan

Some viewers are ready to give a Gold Logie to a train after a rapturous Slow TV screening on SBS.

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SBS has hit a chord with viewers after its Slow TV experiment The Ghan last night.

The 3 hour broadcast of an edited trip from Adelaide to Darwin ran ad-free and without a narrator.

On social media, #TheGhan was trending at #1 with a rapturous response:

https://twitter.com/SapphOff/status/949968002736275456

https://twitter.com/abagofspanners/status/949967937477132288

But there were a few who failed to see its appeal.

https://twitter.com/Pussaluss123/status/949952516023709696

https://twitter.com/zoonmattau/status/949927584480968704

 

31 Responses

  2. Nine are planning their own version. To be shown over five days, “Test Cricket” will show cricket at its purest- without a commentary team, without gambling ads and memorabilia mayhem. With only one camera, pointed at the bowling pitch and never deviating to follow the ball or the batsmen nor fielders, “Test Cricket” would be the ultimate in slow sport TV.

  5. It was interesting, most of the time, and a good attempt at something different. The show was ad free – that’s to be expected since it was actually a 3 hour (mostly tax-payer funded) ad for Great Southern Railways. I don’t have a problem with that. SBS should do what they can to attract sponsor dollars for their other equality driven, inclusive and thoughtful programs.

    1. Confused by your argument. It was not branded content, no payments by GSR. So where you say you don’t have a problem with it being SBS funded it sort of sounds like you do? Further, SBS does attract advertisers for all their other programming.

  7. Fascinating that the Daily Tele took opposite view, saying viewers were bored and it only rated 400,000. Seriously? The network share shot up to 11.4%. I’m all for agreeing to disagree but that’s just a bad call.

  8. One cannot agree with the programs assertion that ‘The Ghan’ is Australia’s greatest railway journey-that honour belongs to the Indian Pacific.

  9. I watched right through from start to end. I was especially intrigued by the factoids that appeared periodically during the journey. Hopefully the management of the Indian/Pacific will take notice!

  10. There is a very good train journey on Youtube,A drivers view through Norway to the Arctic Circle.
    By the way,set aside 9:56:07 for your viewing pleasure.

  11. A huge thank you, to you David. As a frequent visitor to this website and rarely watching commercial television these days I only became aware of this unique experience because of you. I thought I’d give this 20 minutes of my time or just pop in on occasion to watch The Ghan but watched the entire program. I also spoke with work colleagues today and they to were mesmerized by the whole experience. One bloke said he has never drifted off to sleep so peacefully. Thumbs up to SBS for daring to try something different.

  12. I loved it…but did switch over to Graham Norton in the middle and Nicole and Keith were on…they are so loved up…cute to watch….I am going to re watch The Ghan a little later on SBS On Demand….what I saw was wonderful…well done.

  13. Really enjoyed this – didn’t think I would last the whole 3 hours but I did.
    Stunning overhead shots of the Ghan and landscape.
    Disappointing though that they didn’t do some detailed overhead shots of the towns they were passing through, especially Alice Springs, Katherine and Adelaide River.
    Blink and you missed these destinations.
    Agree with @melbourneamy – I would also have been keen to make the Ghan journey but those prices are exhorbitant!

  14. It was fascinating to watch, Its starts to make me think that the producers of this could make follow ups programs on paint drying and grass growing and make them just as enthralling

    1. Maybe a truck driver’s trip from Sydney to Melbourne down the Hume Highway and back again.
      Or perhaps a drive along Parramatta road in peak traffic?
      Now these would be worse than paint drying!!

  15. Left it on while playing monopoly last night – found myself staring at the screen more than playing the game. Loved the way there was no narrator or over the top music etc like most docos these days.

    Our family did Adelaide to Darwin in the 80’s – a great experience. Have always wanted to than Ghan one day as well but price a bit out of range at the moment!

  16. I turned it on about 9 and found myself watching it. The scenery was beautiful and I enjoyed the little random comments.
    It was all the talk on twitter and I found it relaxing to watch and it was nice to watch a show without yelling or talking all the time.

  17. I felt like I was there, Brought back memories of driving in the outback, our stay in pine creek. No background music, no voice overs just the pure sounds of nature and the train. I Didn’t realise how long the train was.

  19. Having lived in the NT for over 30 yrs and making the road trip from Darwin to Adelaide several times this brought back many memories why do people watch something they don’t like…… change channels!

  20. My wife and I did the Ghan trip from Adelaide to Darwin in 2009 (first ever customers booked on the platinum service), so we were interested in re-living the experience.
    Brilliantly done, but obviously, in this age of crash and bash TV, not everyone’s cup of tea.
    Probably the screening time was wise, non ratings period with nothing much else of interest on.

  21. I didn’t watch I must admit so maybe I shouldn’t comment…. but I will anyway.
    The concept just sounded boring to me from the start. And the fact that it was 3 hours ad-free is a bit of a misconception….. considering it is a 3hr commercial for The Ghan.

  22. Oh, I loved it! It was so beautiful, thoughtfully filmed, and utterly relaxing. I think SBS should can the abominable “Viceland” and have a Slow TV channel instead. Amazed it was ad-free, too. Congratulations to all involved.

  23. Absolutely loved it David. Pro #TheGhan. Beautifully shot. My husband and I were mesmerised by it. Some great footage from high above. Praise to SBS.

  25. I don’t normally watch these types of shows, but was flicking channels and found this one last night. It was fascinating, my husband and I decided to do some research on making the trip.. then we saw the price!!!!

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