Norwegian cruise in midnight sun sets TV record

[June 23, 2011]  OSLO, Norway (AP) -- Live televised coverage of a midsummer cruise along Norway's picturesque coast of fjords and islands has become the most watched TV show in the Nordic country.

Public broadcaster NRK says the program had 2.5 million viewers -- more than half the population -- last weekend, with almost 700,000 tuning in just before midnight Monday.

NRK has followed the MS NordNorge on its six-day trip from Norway's second-largest city Bergen north to Kirkenes, 1,500 miles (2,500 kilometers) away above the Arctic Circle near the Russian border.

NRK said Tuesday the program has inspired passers-by to greet the ship along its route, with many waving flags or following in speedboats.

[Associated Press]

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