On Sunday, the starting signal was given for this year’s advent calendars, with NRK, TV 2, and TV Norge presenting respectively “24-Star Christmas Calendar,” “Asbjørn’s Christmas Calendar,” and the new addition “Nissesvingen.”
24-Star Christmas Calendar is in its third season, and despite a lukewarm reception from critics in 2022, the reality-driven advent calendar has felt the warmth from viewers. And the warmth has certainly not cooled down this year. NRK and the 24-Star Christmas Calendar emerge victorious from the first round, being the most-watched advent calendar so far. Within one day after its release, a total of 782,000 viewers tuned in for the first episode.
– We are very pleased to have a great start for the “24-Star Christmas Calendar.” It’s clear that this series is beginning to establish itself as a tradition and is something the audience seeks out to enjoy a cheerful moment during the Advent season. This is only the first episode, and the numbers will rise throughout the week, but for now, we are celebrating this good start, says project editor at NRK, Gitte Calmeyer, to Kampanje.
Earlier this year, it was revealed that the 24-Star Christmas Calendar, an idea from the production company Magga and Anders, had been sold to Danish TV 2. This year’s filming location has also changed for the first time—from “Sporten” at Frognerseteren to the banquet hall at Gamle Logen in Oslo.
Read more: 24-Star Christmas Calendar sold to Danish TV 2: - very exciting
Asbjørn beats last year’s viewer numbers
Last year,Asbjørn’s Christmas Calendar with Espen Eckbo made a comeback on TV 2. Eckbo had a similar advent calendar with the same character on TVNorge back in 2015 and breathed new life into the red-wine-loving and cheerful character Asbjørn,who surprises daily with a new guest on TV 2. Viewers were hooked from the first clove being pulled out of the orange,showing a significant viewer jump from last year’s premiere.
On Sunday night, Asbjørn was visited by influencer Sophie Elise, and so far, 540,000 have seen the start of the Christmas calendar. Last year, there were 406,000 who tuned in to Asbjørn’s Christmas Calendar in the first day.
Also read: Eckbo brings TVNorge success to TV 2: - Wholly outdated in 2023
Mixed reception from critics
TV Norge premiered the brand-new Christmas calendar Nissesvingen, featuring among others morten Ramm, John Brungot, Calle Hellevang-Larsen, Selda Ekiz, and Snorre Monsson, on Sunday night.
in Nissesvingen, Santa Claus himself is on the brink of death, and his only hope for survival is a magical medallion that Nisse Council finds on the Internet.Judas (Ekiz),the second-in-command Santa Claus,must send out an expedition to retrieve the magical medallion from the postal service at a remote gas station.The expedition, consisting of the three completely useless elves Rolf (ramm), Trond (Brungot), and Jerry (Hellevang-Larsen), faces a very dangerous journey ahead, and only they can save Santa Claus and Christmas itself.
So far, 198,000 have watched the first episode.
– Nissesvingen is the only new Christmas calendar on TV this year,and we have been very excited about how this rather quirky comedy calendar would be received. We can safely say that it has received mixed reviews from critics, says program director at TVNorge, Magnus Vatn, to Kampanje.
VG’s reviewer did not hold back and rated it a one on the die, calling Nissesvingen “unbearable”.
“the lengthy script, the messy editing, and the unengaging storytelling make the series challenging to follow,” wrote VG’s music and TV reviewer, Tor Martin Bøe, a few days ago. Though, Dagbladet’s reviewer believed it was a “wild Christmas parody,” and slapped it with a five on the die.
– So far,they have rated everything from 1 to 5 on the die,and we are just missing a 4 to get a little straight,so we can say that the series is already creating engagement. We have high hopes that viewer numbers for nissesvingen will increase throughout December, says Vatn.
what are the main themes highlighted in this year’s advent calendars like “24-Star Christmas Calendar” and “nissesvingen”?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Christmas Calendars Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome, everyone! Today, we have a special guest, Gitte Calmeyer, project editor at NRK, who is here to discuss the exciting launch of this year’s advent calendars.Thank you for joining us, Gitte!
Gitte Calmeyer: thank you for having me! I’m excited to share insights about our beloved advent calendars.
Time.news Editor: It’s that time of year again! The kick-off for the advent calendars has started, and this year, we have some captivating contenders like “24-Star Christmas Calendar,” “Asbjørn’s Christmas Calendar,” and the new “Nissesvingen.” How do you think they each bring something unique to the table?
Gitte Calmeyer: Each calendar has its own flavor, which is essential for showcasing the diversity of holiday traditions. “24-Star Christmas calendar” is leaning into reality-driven themes that resonate well with audiences. “Asbjørn’s Christmas Calendar” has its charm with a more classic storytelling approach, and “Nissesvingen” brings a fresh narrative that captivates new audiences and perhaps even introduces them to the joys of advent calendars.
Time.news Editor: Interesting! Last year, “24-Star Christmas Calendar” received a lukewarm reception from critics. Can you tell us how it has turned things around this year?
Gitte Calmeyer: Absolutely. Despite the rocky reviews, our audience has embraced the series more than ever. In fact, we witnessed a remarkable turnout of 782,000 viewers for the first episode this year, making it the most-watched advent calendar so far! I believe viewers find a sense of comfort and familiarity in the show, contributing to its success.
time.news Editor: That’s remarkable! With such a notable turnout, do you think “24-Star Christmas Calendar” is becoming a holiday tradition for viewers?
Gitte Calmeyer: I think it is indeed! It warms my heart to see that the audience seeks it out as part of their Advent experience. We’ve strived to craft something that provides cheerful moments, and it truly seems to be resonating with viewers. We expect the numbers to climb even higher as the week progresses.
Time.news Editor: It’s marvelous to hear that! As a project editor, what elements do you believe set “24-Star Christmas Calendar” apart in today’s competitive TV landscape?
Gitte Calmeyer: I think it’s the blend of relatability and entertainment. The format allows viewers to connect with the stories and the participants. The advent calendar not only serves as a countdown but also as an engaging experience that brings families together during the festive season. Our focus on viewer interaction and modern storytelling has truly set us apart.
Time.news Editor: With that in mind, what can we expect from “Nissesvingen” and other new entries? How do they aim to engage the audience?
Gitte Calmeyer: “Nissesvingen” aims to blend traditional Christmas folklore with contemporary narratives, which should attract a diverse audience. We’re also emphasizing interactivity,allowing viewers to engage with the content through social media and other platforms. It’s all about creating a holistic experience that everyone can be a part of!
Time.news Editor: it seems like you have a lot of exciting things ahead! what is the biggest takeaway you’d like viewers to have from this year’s advent calendars?
Gitte Calmeyer: I hope viewers feel joy, connection, and a sense of tradition through these calendars. It’s a season of togetherness, and we aim to bring forth stories that are heartfelt and fun. Ultimately, we wont to create moments that families can look forward to each day during Advent.
time.news Editor: Thank you so much for sharing your insights with us, Gitte! It’s clear that advent calendars will continue to be a cherished part of the holiday season.
Gitte Calmeyer: Thank you for having me! Wishing everyone a joyful advent season ahead!
Time.news Editor: And to our viewers,thank you for tuning in! Be sure to catch this year’s advent calendars,and join us next time for more engaging discussions. Happy Holidays, everyone!