Why is TV show ‘Sunrise Earth’ rising again? 

Restless people in hospitals, prisons and their own homes 

• Original “Slow TV” nature series Sunrise Earth broadcast to homes 15 years ago, now screening to more than 24,000 healthcare facility beds and multiple prisons across U.S.

• Studies in hospitals and clinics show relaxation and pain management benefits of nature videos

• In recent study at Oregon correctional facility, inmates committed 26% fewer violent infractions after regular nature video exposure

• For people in their own homes, complete 64-episode Sunrise Earth collection now re-released and available in one place for the first time

Camden, ME - The original “Slow TV” television series, Sunrise Earth, recently reached healthcare facility distribution of more than 24,000 beds, a five-fold jump in demand since 2012. Closed-circuit systems at nearly 150 U.S. hospitals and clinics now feature Sunrise Earth as part of the BlueMarvel channel. An average of 4 new sites are added each month. Prisons have also started signing up, according to Eli Kao, Director of Distribution for BlueMarvel. For the first time, the complete collection of 64 sunrises is also available for individuals and households on online video platform Vimeo and OTT provider Roku.

Each hour-long Sunrise Earth dawn experience unfolds in a spectacular location at a relaxing pace, with gorgeous visuals and soothing nature sounds. “I think it is the only 64-episode series in TV history without a single spoken word,” says Sunrise Earth director and creator David Conover. Perfect for a public or shared hospital setting, it is apolitical and non-intrusive. A study of another confined group states that prison inmates felt "calmer, less irritable, and more empathetic" and committed 26% fewer violent infractions after regular nature video viewings. This finding led one state prison system to launch a pilot program with Sunrise Earth distributor BlueMarvel, who is providing immersive nature content to staff and inmates.

It is no surprise that Sunrise Earth is re-framing the media experience for today’s restless and confined viewers. The series first did so with the advent of high definition television when it premiered 15 years ago on Discovery HD Theater. TV Week deemed it “crazily uneventful and thoroughly wonderful!” In the Daily Dish of The Atlantic, columnist Andrew Sullivan wrote, “However stressed your day, this devastatingly simple project soothes the soul… a reminder that however grim things look, the earth turns, the sun rises, and nature endures.” Conover recalls the genesis of the series, “Sunrise Earth is all about the beauty of simply slowing down, in a gorgeous and crisp companion landscape. My original pitch was ‘this series shows you less, and takes a long time to do it.’ ”

For more information:

Studies on nature video benefits: https://www.bluemarvel.com/studies/

Sunrise Earth Vimeo VOD: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/sunriseearth

Sunrise Earth on Roku: https://channelstore.roku.com/details/141886/bluemarvel 

Images for media use here.

Sunrise images may be used in all media. Credit: Compass Light.

“Blue Room” image please contact photographer for permissions.

About BlueMarvel: BlueMarvel (https://www.bluemarvel.com) is the distribution arm of the team who produced Sunrise Earth, Compass Light Productions. Based in Camden, Maine, Compass Light produces motion pictures that explore the human relationship to the ocean and the outdoors. The production company has been ranked among the Global Top 100 Production Companies by Realscreen Magazine. 

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